Farming’s organisations may have to merge to fight divisive opponents

He believes there are ‘too many organisations’ representing farmers and while he sees little prospect of any giving up their independence now, he thinks things will change over the next ‘five to 10 years’, giving the industry a stronger voice.

“Somewhere down the track as there become less full-time farmers so you need to amalgamate the voice.

“It is not in our interest to have a diverse view because it enables anyone else who is not in the industry to divide us.

“Ultimately there should be one trade association for farming and I would like to think the NFU would be the base for it.”

He says he is ‘sensitive’ to criticism that the NFU is sometimes seen as being ‘too dominant’ but insists it is doing its best to get results for its members.

Have your say

Please do not complete the following form field for security reasons.

Name

E-mail

Comment