– **History**:
– Meeting held on 10 December 1908 at the Smithfield Show led to the formation of the National Farmers Union (NFU).
– First President, Colin Campbell, focused on expanding branches, increasing membership, and establishing credibility with the Government during a farming depression.
– NFU ran candidates in the 1918 general election but none were elected.
– Registered as an association of employers under the 1974 Trade Union and Labour Relations Act.
– Elected its first female president, Minette Batters, in 2018.
– **Election Results**:
– 1918 general election saw NFU candidates in six constituencies.
– NFU sponsored candidates in the 1922, 1923, and 1935 general elections.
– Notable candidates like Ernest Shepperson, Francis Blundell, and Joseph Lamb stood for the Conservative Party.
– In the 1924 general election, Ernest Shepperson and Joseph Lamb ran for the Conservative Party.
– In the 1935 general election, two NFU-sponsored candidates were elected for the Conservative Party.
– **Function**:
– NFU positions itself as The Voice of British Farming.
– It advocates for British farming and offers professional representation and services to its members.
– Engages in negotiations with the government and national organizations on behalf of English and Welsh farmers.
– **Structure**:
– Governed by its Constitution and Rules, NFU maintains various bodies responsible for its governance.
– Bodies include NFU Council, Governance Board, Policy Board, National Commodity Boards, and more.
– NFU has an office in Brussels to represent British farmers to the European Union.
– Associated with the insurance mutual company NFU Mutual.
– NFU Cymru is located at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells.
– **Archives**:
– NFU archives are housed at the Rural History Centre at Reading University.
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The National Farmers' Union (NFU) is a member organisation/industry association for farmers in England and Wales. It is the largest farmers' organisation in the countries, and has over 300 branch offices.
National Farmers' Union | |
 | |
| Founded | 1908 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Agriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, England, CV8 2TZ |
| Location |
|
Members | 55,000 Farmer and Grower members, 34,000 Countryside members |
Key people | Officeholders 2022–2024: Minette Batters, President; Tom Bradshaw, Deputy President; David Exwood, Vice President; Terry Jones, Director General |
| Website | Official website  |