UPDATE: Minette Batters makes history as NFU’s first female president
Beef farmer Minette Batters has made history by becoming the NFU’s first female president in its 110-year history.
Olivia Midgley
Beef farmer Minette Batters has become the 35th president of the NFU.
Ms Batters was elected by NFU council members at the union’s AGM today (February 21) in Birmingham.
She said: "This is a hugely exciting time and a time of great challenges and great opportunities.
"At the heart of the NFU is its members and I would like the organisation to aim even higher on their behalf.
"British farming is in the spotlight like never before and this is a great opportunity to reposition the sector in the eyes of the nation.”
Ms Batters has risen through the NFU’s ranks over the last few years, holding numerous positions including regional board chairman for the South West and serving as the South West Flood and Coastal Committee.
Congratulations @barford100 on this historic win! #NFU18 t.co/tMBtEllp1V t.co/rLY16XCH3p
— Olivia Midgley (@FGoliviamidgley)Congratulations @barford100 on this historic win! #NFU18 https://t.co/tMBtEllp1V https://t.co/rLY16XCH3p
— Olivia Midgley (@FGoliviamidgley) February 21, 2018
Congratulations @barford100 - we look forward to working with you #farmresilience #NFU18 t.co/BwTlvtwu7t
— The Prince’s Countryside Fund (@countrysidefund)Congratulations @barford100 - we look forward to working with you #farmresilience #NFU18 https://t.co/BwTlvtwu7t
— The Prince's Countryside Fund (@countrysidefund) February 21, 2018
Congratulations Minette! @barford100 t.co/gfyga0wbup
— Caroline Drummond (@LEAFchief)Congratulations Minette! @barford100 https://t.co/gfyga0wbup
— Caroline Drummond (@LEAFchief) February 21, 2018
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She co-founded the campaigning initiatives ‘Ladies in Beef’ and the ‘Great British Beef Week’ and has lobbied extensively on key areas including bovine TB, flooding and has been a key advocate for the tenanted sector.
Ms Batters vowed to champion the farming industry, adding it was in a strong position to increase its potential - both at home and abroad.
Historic moment for the NFU and a great day for British agriculture at a pivotal time. Looking forward to working with @barford100 and @HertsFarmer over the next two years. pic.twitter.com/uCyYZaYEw3
— Guy Smith (@essexpeasant)Historic moment for the NFU and a great day for British agriculture at a pivotal time. Looking forward to working with @barford100 and @HertsFarmer over the next two years. pic.twitter.com/uCyYZaYEw3
— Guy Smith (@essexpeasant) February 21, 2018
On the national media interest surrounding Ms Batters being the first woman to head up the organisation, she added: “I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time but many great women have come before me and many will come after me.”
She beat off stiff competition from her challenger, Essex grower Guy Smith, who the council elected as her deputy.
BREAKING: Guy Smith has been elected as the new NFU Deputy President #NFU18 pic.twitter.com/pVVi185Fj2
— NationalFarmersUnion (@NFUtweets)BREAKING: Guy Smith has been elected as the new NFU Deputy President #NFU18 pic.twitter.com/pVVi185Fj2
— NationalFarmersUnion (@NFUtweets) February 21, 2018
Hertfordshire beef and cereal farmer Stuart Roberts was elected to the top team for the first time and takes the vice president position.
Outgoing NFU president Meurig Raymond, who has served 14 years as an officeholder, described the last few days as an ‘emotional rollercoaster’.
Drawing a standing ovation as the conference closed, Mr Raymond thanked his colleagues and family for the support they had showed him over the years and Lord Plumb, who he said had inspired him to get involved in agricultural politics in 1977.
BREAKING: Stuart Roberts has been elected as the new NFU Vice President #NFU18 pic.twitter.com/i4OrBCsRpq
— NationalFarmersUnion (@NFUtweets)BREAKING: Stuart Roberts has been elected as the new NFU Vice President #NFU18 pic.twitter.com/i4OrBCsRpq
— NationalFarmersUnion (@NFUtweets) February 21, 2018
Another first for @NFUtweets with all three office holders active on @Twitter - @barford100 @essexpeasant @HertsFarmer. Will their late night tweets hit the headlines in @FarmersWeekly and @FarmersGuardian in true @realDonaldTrump style?
— George Dunn (@georgewdunn)Another first for @NFUtweets with all three office holders active on @Twitter - @barford100 @essexpeasant @HertsFarmer. Will their late night tweets hit the headlines in @FarmersWeekly and @FarmersGuardian in true @realDonaldTrump style?
— George Dunn (@georgewdunn) February 21, 2018
Congratulations to @barford100 on your historic election as President of @NFUtweets #NFU18 pic.twitter.com/SHTrtpUKzP
— Yellow Wellies (@yellowwelliesuk)Congratulations to @barford100 on your historic election as President of @NFUtweets #NFU18 pic.twitter.com/SHTrtpUKzP
— Yellow Wellies (@yellowwelliesuk) February 21, 2018
Not gonna lie may have just had a little #woohoo and a dance! Great news for @barford100 and women in Ag! Congratulations! #historicmoment #Trailblazer #inspiration t.co/nyTBHzlbYf
— Jenni (@Country_JenT)Not gonna lie may have just had a little #woohoo and a dance! Great news for @barford100 and women in Ag! Congratulations! #historicmoment #Trailblazer #inspiration https://t.co/nyTBHzlbYf
— Jenni (@Country_JenT) February 21, 2018
Massive thank you to Meurig Raymond for all he’s done during his role. I’m know your family (@hilaryraym) and all of Pembrokeshire/Wales are proud of you! #thankyou #NFU18 t.co/iThJ4XXsHH
— Katie Davies (@KatieDave21)Massive thank you to Meurig Raymond for all he’s done during his role. I’m know your family (@hilaryraym) and all of Pembrokeshire/Wales are proud of you! #thankyou #NFU18 https://t.co/iThJ4XXsHH
— Katie Davies (@KatieDave21) February 21, 2018
A MASSIVE congratulations to our very own Farm Safety Ambassador and #LensLeg pioneer Stuart Roberts @HertsFarmer on your election as Vice President of @NFUtweets - looking forward to driving the #farmsafety agenda forward 💛 pic.twitter.com/2Km7KR3ugP
— Yellow Wellies (@yellowwelliesuk)A MASSIVE congratulations to our very own Farm Safety Ambassador and #LensLeg pioneer Stuart Roberts @HertsFarmer on your election as Vice President of @NFUtweets - looking forward to driving the #farmsafety agenda forward \uD83D\uDC9B pic.twitter.com/2Km7KR3ugP
— Yellow Wellies (@yellowwelliesuk) February 21, 2018
After 4 years in the role, Meurig Raymond bid a fond farewell today as President of @nfutweets. We’re now delighted to welcome to the role his successor, Minette Batters. Congratulations on your election @barford100! #NFU18 pic.twitter.com/WG5JMiNcxl
— NFU Mutual (@nfum)After 4 years in the role, Meurig Raymond bid a fond farewell today as President of @nfutweets. We’re now delighted to welcome to the role his successor, Minette Batters. Congratulations on your election @barford100! #NFU18 pic.twitter.com/WG5JMiNcxl
— NFU Mutual (@nfum) February 21, 2018
Mr Smith said: “It is a great privilege to serve the NFU as an officeholder and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to begin a new role as deputy president.
“To serve as the deputy to Minette is a great honour. Having worked with Minette for the past four years, I am looking forward to working with her and Stuart as a close team in what will be a pivotal two years for British agriculture.”
Mr Roberts said: “I am extremely proud to join the new officeholder team and I am grateful to members for giving me this opportunity. British agriculture is facing both exciting and challenging times, and I am looking forward to offering Minette and Guy my full support for the years ahead.”
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