Minette Batters has made history becoming the first female president of the National Farmers’ Union.
Batters, a beef farmer from Wiltshire, has been elected for a two-year term alongside Guy Smith as deputy president and Stuart Roberts as vice president.
The election took place after the AGM of the NFU Council, a representative body made up of its elected members, following the annual NFU conference.
‘Brexit and beyond’
Batters said: “I am delighted to have been elected as President of the NFU and I am grateful to all the members who have given me the opportunity to lead our industry through Brexit and beyond.
“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.
“Together as a new officeholder team, we will hit the ground running and I look forward to sharing our new vision for farming at the earliest opportunity.”
Deputy
The NFU’s new deputy president Guy Smith said working on the board had been a “a great privilege” and added that he was “delighted” to have been elected as deputy.
“To serve as the deputy to Minette is a great honour,” he said. “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.”
