Four farming unions stress shared vision

The presidents of the four UK farming unions have come together at the NFU Cymru conference 2018 to underline their shared visions for the industry, and to call on politicians to mirror that level of ambition.

NFU Cymru president John Davies, NFU president Minette Batters, NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick and Ulster Farmers’ Union president Ivor Ferguson took to the stage of the NFU Cymru Welsh Farming: Ambition for Growth conference in Llandrindod Wells on November 1 as part of a session titled UK: A nation united by farming.

The session saw all four presidents speak of the importance of their regular meetings, and sharing the same values and ideals for the UK agricultural industry.

Mr McCornick said: ‘We are a nation that is undergoing the biggest change in agriculture in more than 40 years. Never has it been more important for all the farmers to stand shoulder to shoulder to secure a profitable and sustainable future for our memberships across the UK. The four UK farming unions have, since June 23, 2016, shared common goals to ensure we deliver on this ambition.

‘Coming together at Llandrindod Wells was another opportunity to build on our joint ambitions and also achieve a great understanding of how devolved parts of the UK can work effectively within this common framework to deliver the best possible outcomes for farming and the wider rural economy in our own respective countries.’

Ms Batters added: ‘Coming together at the conference provides an important opportunity for the four unions to collaborate and further highlight our joint values. Together we share a vision and ambition to drive our industry forward, capitalising on the opportunities that lie ahead and facing any challenges head on. ‘We are united by the food that we produce. As the UK’s impending departure from the European Union approaches, it is important that our politicians across all areas of the UK and the EU show that same level of vision.’