Minette Batters re-elected as NFU president as new face joins team

Minette Batters has been re-elected as NFU president, meaning the Wiltshire farmer will now serve a third two-year term. 

Tom Bradshaw, who has served as vice president for the past two years, forging strong links with the pig industry has been elected as deputy president.

Sussex farmer David Exwood has been voted as vice president, joining the officeholder team for the first time. 

Hertfordshire farmer Stuart Roberts, who held the role of deputy president for the past two years, steps down from the top team.  

The election took place after the AGM of the NFU Council, a representative body made up of its elected members, following the NFU’s annual Conference in Birmingham today.

Mrs Batters, who has been a huge ally of the pig industry during the crisis, said: “I’m truly honoured to lead the NFU at such a crucial time for British food and farming.

"My focus in the coming years, as we enter a new era for British agriculture, will be to ensure a bright and resilient British farming sector that continues to provide the nation with high-quality, climate-friendly, affordable food for generations to come.  

“I have a vision of a sustainable and resilient food industry with a new economic model which ensures a fair return from supply chains and drives profit back into the land, enabling us to maximise the potential for sustainable food production and environmental delivery on farms.

“There remain significant challenges facing our sector that need to be addressed. I will continue to work with government to ensure they back British farming in trade deals, urgently address the industry-wide labour crisis, help tackle rural crime, and develop domestic policy that enables farmers to produce sustainable food alongside caring for the environment and working towards net zero.

She congratulate Mr Bradshaw and Mr Exwood on their new roles and paid tribute and personally thanked Mr Roberts for his 'incredible contribution to the NFU over the past four years as an officeholder'.

Mr Bradshaw, pictured left, said: “I’ve been proud to represent our industry as Vice President over the past two years and I very much looking forward to building on this work as Deputy President alongside Minette and David.

“Our sector is going through some of the biggest changes in 70 years and we must focus on turning this change into opportunity. We are currently farming in a challenging and uncertain business environment and it’s important we receive fair returns in the supply chain so we can continue to produce fantastic food for the nation and boost our social, economic and environmental contribution.”

Mr Exwood, right, added: “I’m incredibly proud and grateful to have the chance to represent Britain’s farmers as part of the officeholder team.

“For me, the next two years are about creating new opportunities for profitable food production alongside net zero and biodiversity enhancement. I look forward to working with Minette and Tom to help steer the sector through changes to domestic farming policy and grasp the opportunities that come our way.”