Haddock up for senior NFU job
Haddock up for senior NFU job
By John Burns and
Donald MacPhail
OUTSPOKEN Devon farmer Richard Haddock is one of at least three candidates vying for the post of NFU vice-president.
Mr Haddock has been nominated by Devon union members ahead of the NFU Council vote in London next Wednesday (Oct 4). The 92 council delegates will decide who should take the post of vice-president left vacant by Richard Watson Jones sudden death in July.
Mr Haddock, a tenant farmer, has strong backing from three of the counties in the NFUs south-west region. Cornwall NFUs management committee has formally advised its two delegates to vote for Mr Haddock. Somerset this week voted to insist that its two HQ delegates vote for Mr Haddock. Farmers in Bucks, Berks, Oxon and Derbys have also backed Mr Haddock.
The NFU refused to confirm Mr Haddocks nomination and could not give names of candidates because the circumstances that led to the election mean nominations will stay open until the day of the vote.
However, FARMERS WEEKLY can reveal that Jonathan Tipples, chairman of the Associated Combinable Crops Scheme, is one of the contenders after being nominated by south-east farmers.
Mr Tipples is the NFU director of assured food standards and serves on the Home-Grown Cereals Authority research and development committee.
Leicestershire farmer Rad Thomas, who was runner-up when Mr Watson Jones was elected in February, has also been nominated, FARMERS WEEKLY has learned.
Mr Thomas is the NFU council delegate for Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland. He is also chairman of the Oil, Protein and Fibre Crops Committee.
He chairs the NFU European Commission Advisory Group for Oilseeds and Proteins and is a past county chairman for Leicestershire.
Further candidates could emerge for the post on the day.
and NFU Council members will be able to make nominations from the floor on the day of the election.