Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The voice of British farmers to step down from NFU

Michael McCarthy,Environment Editor
Tuesday 07 October 2003 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir Ben Gill, the public face of Britain's farmers during the foot-and-mouth disease crisis of 2001, announced he is standing down as President of the National Farmers' Union.

Sir Ben, who has been president since 1998 and, before that, deputy president, vice-president and livestock chairman, said he would not seek re-election when the top post comes up again in February.

A dry and genial Yorkshireman who produces sugar beet, cereals and sheep on his own 360-acre mixed farm at Easingwold in the Dales, Sir Ben was rarely off TV screens when Britain's national cattle herd was being slaughtered on a massive scale during the FMD outbreak two-and-a-half years ago.

He was a key player in many of the decisions taken, not least because, throughout his tenure, he has had ready access to the Government and, in particular, to Tony Blair.

Earlier, he had loudly championed farmers when, at the end of the 1990s, economic circumstances combined to send their incomes plunging.

"I have been enormously proud to have served as president," he said yesterday. "It has been a testing and demanding time. But I believe we are now reaching a watershed. The hard-won reforms to the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) should soon start to deliver benefits. The weakening of the pound is bringing relief to some sectors.

"And the NFU has undergone the radical changes necessary to make it an organisation fit to fight for farmers' interests into the 21st century."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in