NFU in the line of fire

[gone up the hill]

it has to be said (and has been many times) they are desperately over due reform

UK ag needs good representation but not in it's current outdated form

it will change, one day

As long as the NFU mutual gives such generous discounts on the insurance if you are a member then they will never change..

Will be very intresting to see what their vision/ future direction for UK AG post brexit is and what type of support payments they are going to favour post 2020 when they launch it at the AGM next month..

Iv got a distinct feeling that a lot of small/ medium sized UK farming businesses are going to be very unhappy with the NFU's viewpoint on the above.. ( hope im wrong mind )

 

[Spud]

it has to be said (and has been many times) they are desperately over due reform

UK ag needs good representation but not in it's current outdated form

it will change, one day

What should it change to @Clive ?

 

[Clive]

What should it change to @Clive ?

something actually democratic would be a start IMO

it needs a ground up rebuild, even the name needs to change IMO, its not a "union" as the public sees them and I'm not sure the term is one that the public or MP's really like even !

Seriously, I'm not going to begin to try create some sort of manifesto on here though, all I know is its clear that what we do have right now doesn't work and is woeful ineffective / unfit for purpose any longer

as an industry we desperately need something that is ASAP

 

[Clive]

As long as the NFU mutual gives such generous discounts on the insurance if you are a member then they will never change..

Will be very intresting to see what their vision/ future direction for UK AG post brexit is and what type of support payments they are going to favour post 2020 when they launch it at the AGM next month..

Iv got a distinct feeling that a lot of small/ medium sized UK farming businesses are going to be very unhappy with the NFU's viewpoint on the above.. ( hope im wrong mind )

insurance discount certainly is the reason for many memberships, however even with the size of my premiums it wasn't enough for me to be better off shopping for cover elsewhere

 

[gone up the hill]

something actually democratic would be a start IMO

it needs a ground up rebuild, even the name needs to change IMO, its not a "union" as the public sees them and I'm not sure the term is one that the public or MP's really like even !

Seriously, I'm not going to begin to try create some sort of manifesto on here though, all I know is its clear that what we do have right now doesn't work and is woeful ineffective / unfit for purpose any longer

as an industry we desperately need something that is ASAP

Aye we all want to hear Clive's manifesto for the new and grass roots member lead/ driven NFU

NFU is getting more and more like an old boys drinking club sadly.

I think Brexit will either make or break the NFU, if they get it wrong ( ie call for the end of subs to be replaced by grants for buildings etc ) and subs go and trade tariff's go against us them thousands of farms across the country will go out of business within 2 years after 2019 and the blame ( rightly or wrongly ) will lie at the NFU's door.

Imo given how no one knows what trade tariffs we will have post brexit then the NFU should call for subs to carry on in their current form until 2025 with future farm support (if there is any ) to be decided in 2023/24 when we know the lie of the land.

 

[bobk]

Aye we all want to hear Clive's manifesto for the new and grass roots member lead/ driven NFU

NFU is getting more and more like an old boys drinking club sadly.

I think Brexit will either make or break the NFU, if they get it wrong ( ie call for the end of subs to be replaced by grants for buildings etc ) and subs go and trade tariff's go against us them thousands of farms across the country will go out of business within 2 years after 2019 and the blame ( rightly or wrongly ) will lie at the NFU's door.

Imo given how no one knows what trade tariffs we will have post brexit then the NFU should call for subs to carry on in their current form until 2025 with future farm support (if there is any ) to be decided in 2023/24 when we know the lie of the land.

Agree with everything you say , so why did you vote out

 

[gone up the hill]

Agree with everything you say , so why did you vote out

Because its not all about farming at the end of the day.

If the NFU get it right on subs like above and lobby very hard about trade tariffs etc then we will be okay.

If the NFU get it wrong ( which sadly sounds like is the likely outcome ) then the beef/sheep and arable sectors are screwed.

The only sector that will be okay will be dairy.

 

[bobk]

Because its not all about farming at the end of the day.

If the NFU get it right on subs like above and lobby very hard about trade tariffs etc then we will be okay.

If the NFU get it wrong ( which sadly sounds like is the likely outcome ) then the beef/sheep and arable sectors are screwed.

The only sector that will be okay will be dairy.

My thoughts too..... before I voted

 

[gone up the hill]

My thoughts too..... before I voted

Farming is in for a period of change no doubt.

Trouble we have is that we are being screwed over inputs ( due to brexit ) but farm gate prices aren't keeping pace.

If the suppliers push too hard then when brexit does happen they will suddenly realize that they might have gone too far.

What I think is clear and that is most farmers don't realize just how big the tide is coming over the sea wall.

Hence my comments above, it would be utter madness for the NFU to push for direct subs to go in 2020 at the start of brexit talks when so much us unknown about tariffs etc and that is why brexit will either make or break the union.

 

[Goweresque]

Infamy , they've got it in for me .

Ah, the late great Kenneth Williams:

 

[Guy Smith]

I didn't get much past the first para

'Soon after Ethical Consumer began campaigning against the badger cull, it became clear how central the National Farmers' Union (NFU) was to pushing the current cull forward. One of the striking things about the NFU is the degree to which it appears unconcerned about either scientific evidence or the opinions of the general public.[1]'

Neither of those statements at the end are true. If there are people on this forum who want to join in an attack on the NFU for the way they have lobbied for the cull or want to attack those farmers involved in the cull areas who have bravely stood up in the face of intimidation - that's your call.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

What is it with dodgy dossiers?....

If you care about scientific evidence or the opinions of the general public, why would you select quotes from internet forums...

I am willing to bet you could find a quote on TFF to support almost anything.

I've only skimmed through the document but having considered cancelling my membership it has highlighted to me how bloody important the NFU are in the face of the many factions who all have different agendas and it is rarely clear who finances them. The fact that they feel the need to attack the NFU shows how vital they are.
We are the custodians and have the knowledge of the countryside yet people on their moral high ground in an office somewhere always think they know better.

 

[Guy Smith]

As I sit and watch the tidal surge tables I had a quick look at the chapter headings of the report that lies behind this. I note

1. The NFU and supermarkets - siding with the retailers and opposing the GCA.

Opposing the GCA??? What utter utter drivel. Anyone who knows what they are talking about knows the NFU were the key driver behind the establishment of the GCA in 2012. Such a statement that we 'opposed the GCA' is an insult to the hard work put in by NFU staff to make it happen. A simple google search of ' NFU GCA' will show what utter bumkum this is. Such a statement is journalism that's so bad it's not even journalism.

 

[milkloss]

As I sit and watch the tidal surge tables I had a quick look at the chapter headings of the report that lies behind this. I note

1. The NFU and supermarkets - siding with the retailers and opposing the GCA.

Opposing the GCA??? What utter utter drivel. Anyone who knows what they are talking about knows the NFU were the key driver behind the establishment of the GCA in 2012. Such a statement that we 'opposed the GCA' is an insult to the hard work put in by NFU staff to make it happen. A simple google search of ' NFU GCA' will show what utter bumkum this is. Such a statement is journalism that's so bad it's not even journalism.

The NFU should sue the writer(s) for libel maybe?

 

[Guy Smith]

Then George Monbiot and the likes of @noflippinguse will start banging on about the NFU trying to stifle freedom of speech.

I'd rather we just stand our ground, state the facts and let farmers decide for themselves.

Also I'd rather we used our energy on other things rather than bothering with this unresearched drivel - by chance we are just working hard on submitting evidence calling for an extension to GCA powers.

BTW - It looks like that tide isn't going to amount to much, despite what the environment agency were warning.

 

[ollie989898]

Lol you think HMG give a stuff about the NFU?

Its hardly of the same political gravity as Unite is it?

Government just lets DEATHRA and EA, Natural England and other associated clowns run the show.

If the government cared and listened we would not have a backwards BPS scheme, chemicals being banned left right and centre, or TB policy which has done nothing for years.

Talk talk talk and flog insurance thats the game plan.

EDIT: thanks for pointing out my typo.

 

[Guy Smith]

HMRC?

Sorry, I'm not sure what you are on about.

 

[Clive]

How long before Guy accuses me of being @ollie989898 ? Place your bets gentlemen please !

 

[Guy Smith]

Still waiting to hear from @noflippinguse Clive.

 

[llamedos]

Still waiting to hear from @noflippinguse Clive.

Even I am getting a bit fed up with this now Guy, People come and people go on TFF, @noflippinguse has not been seen for over 18 months, I can assure you that member had nothing what so ever to do with @Clive Please change the record.