NFUbreakaway planned in east
NFUbreakaway planned in east
By FW reporters
DISILLUSIONED NFU members in the eastern counties are forming plans to make their own breakaway arable organisation.
The disillusionment followed the re-election of president Ben Gill, deputy Tim Bennett and vice Michael Paske; a team which some disgruntled arable producers believe does not represent their views.
Essex arable farmer and Nuffield scholar Guy Smith called for the creation of a British Association of Arable Farmers at ProCams winter conference in Newmarket.
He pointed to US grower associations and the UKs National Pig Association, which split away from the NFU, as examples of past "successful" ventures. "Why havent we got one to represent arable farmers?" he asked.
He is now seeking £50,000 to fund a feasibility study and take it on to a stage where he hopes the NFU may get involved.
A new specialist arable NFU organisation is advocated by north Norfolk sugar beet and malting barley grower Ted Maufe.
"Im not alone in saying there is a huge feeling that the NFU may have lost the plot. The arable sector is in meltdown," he said.
He suggested Marie Skinner, who failed in her bid to become the first woman to be elected as a senior officeholder, for a new public relations role.
Cambridgeshire arable farmer Oliver Walston added his voice to the growing number of despondent arable farmers. He said the union is "heavily weighted" towards the livestock sector and threatened to cancel his subscription.
But the NFU hierarchy defended itself while some senior union members are hoping that a review of NFU structure in March will recommend more influence is devolved to arable committee members.
"I believe the chairmen of the various arable groups should be allowed to play a greater role in the front line," said NFU vice president Michael Paske.
The principle is supported by many council members, including oilseeds vice chairman Adrian Peck.
"The existing committees on arable farming must be more proactive at putting their issues forward," he said. "This would include working more closely with government advisers, since Mrs Beckett clearly does not understand the constraints the sector is under."
"No one can ask for a greater effort than [cereals committee chairman] Richard Butler has been putting forward."
Mr Butler himself said he was against any suggestions to divide council.
"I do understand the despair of arable farmers after a disastrous winter and extremely low prices. But its very easy in this situation to look for scapegoats," he said. *