Deputy/vice president race - Thomas Binns

Age: 46

Farm: 650ha tenanted LFA farm near Clitheroe, Lancashire. Beef and sheep. ELS/HLS agreements. Additionally, a Dairy supply business, Bowland Fresh.

NFU positions held: Former HQ livestock board chairman. Represented NFU in Brussels on COPA, served on NFU policy and governance Boards, held various county and regional positions and currently on NFU Council.

Other relevant positions held: 2001-2008 chaired a £20m Programme Management group delivering Rural Recovery in Lancashire post FMD.

Main interests outside farming: Family, music and travel.

Tell us something surprising about you: I am a trumpet player.

Who is your hero? Nelson Mandela - honour and truth, despite great adversity.

Why are you the best person for the job?

Firstly, as creator of a  first generation farm business and building a second new business in the dairy supply chain, I have experience in developing opportunities and finding solutions – in a business context.

Secondly, I have a strong record in leading others, as part of a team to build consensus and achieve success not just in NFU roles but also in the wider community and public arena.

I believe I have a thoughtful but straightforward, practical approach to life which contributes to my  personal skills. These valuable attributes I believe will equip me to bring a fresh and strengthening approach to the deputy president role and NFU leadership team.

What would you change within the NFU to improve it?

• I want the NFU to review how we improve the engagement of farmers and businesses in our representation work. Identifying members that can bring skill, knowledge and focus to assist policy development alongside our excellent staff must be an organisation priority. We must find an answer to ‘how do we involve the best?’
• Future co-decision making  by MEP’s in Europe means our political lobbying network at local level needs to develop. I believe there is  a great opportunity for farmers to influence and deliver messages, with a local context, supporting our national and European lobbying.

What farming issue(s) would be your priority? 

• Achieving a fair and equitable outcome to CAP post 2013. We must put productive agriculture at the heart of policy making. The CAP has to have the vision, tools and budget to prevent further decline, not just of primary food production but the infrastructure, including the communities that support it. Being ready for tomorrow is about being prepared today.
• Continue to strengthen the bTB eradication planning work. Also ‘trawl back through the bTB file’ to double check nothing has been overlooked. New Government, new opportunity?                         
• Look to develop further the business case for renewable and green technology opportunities, for

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