The NFU elections provided us with a the possibility of a new Clint Eastwood film but whether it is a remake of the Good, the Bad and the Ugly, or the Good, the Good and the Good, or simply the Bad, the Bad and the Bad remains to be seen. I will try, very hard, to give the new regime a while to settle in before lambasting them on this blog.
Meurig Raymond has been PK’s deputy for eight years and was expected to get the votes of loyal NFU members after being a loyal deputy. We’ll have to see whether Meurig has an environmental bone in his body now that he can emerge, blinking, into the daylight after being in PK’s shadow for so long. The offer is, of course, open to Meurig to have a Guest Blog here and woo the wildlife audience with his great plans for a wildlife revival on farmland.
The NFU hierarchy over the years has provided one of the few comparisons that could make the Cameron Cabinet look like a female-dominated zone. Minette Batters (Deputy President) is the first woman in one of these roles in the NFU history. Good luck Minette! Let’s hope you can bring some much needed tenderness to the NFU’s approach to the natural environment.
Guy Smith (Vice President – I’m sure Guy has no vices at all) is a clever man. I’ve often thought that he was pulling the strings behind some of PK’s most ridiculous comments but maybe that was too kind to the departing President. I remember in an exchange of emails many years ago involving myself, Mr Smith and a man from Monsanto that either Guy or the Man with no Name made the mistake (I’m pretty sure it was a mistake) of copying me in to an email that made it clear quite how highly they thought of me, the RSPB and the environmental movement as a whole. Watch those emails Guy!
Guy Smith is the Nigel Farage of the NFU – blokey, matey and a good public speaker, with a good sense of humour and a knack of pleasing the crowds. His farm is also pretty good for birds (I’ve been there and seen it in the past). This is a man who knows enough that he could take the NFU in a more wildlife-friendly direction but there has been not a shred of an indication that he might. Guy’s election suggests that the electorate, ie farmers, really doesn’t give much of a thought to wildlife or the environment. I wonder what is Guy’s position on climate change, for example. Go on Guy – surprise me!
So, it doesn’t feel as though the NFU will change very much, except it will lack PK’s experience as a lobbyist, media man and leader, but we’ll have to see. I would love to be able to start writing blogs about the green-shift in the NFU position and how much more environmentally friendly the organisation has become. Will I get the chance?
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Hello Mark,
Thanks for your kind remarks about my farm, I guard my farms reputation far more fiercely than my own.
Point of correction, as you know the email about remarks about the RSPB you refer to was not from me so please don’t suggest it was.
As you know my one to one relations with the RSPB have been nothing but convivial. You have come out to my farm, I have acted as a judge in RSPB farm conservation competitions and the RSPB have helped me spread the good news about our wonderful farmland – thereby encouraging people out into the healthy countryside so thy can enjoy the biodiversity, the fresh air and the beautiful view put there by farmers and maintained by them.And of course its a healthy walk so helps keeps the weight off.
Guy – gosh! that was quick!
You do have a farm that is rich in wildlife – well, I assume you still do it’s quite some time since I visited – it was impressive. And your knowledge of nature is a cut above that of the average farmer I would say too (although there are, of course, many farmers who are great experts on wildlife (and some who haven’t got a clue too)). You could make a real difference to the wildlife delivery of British farming from your position in the NFU – are you going to have a go? I hope you do.
On the email – I’ll happily take your word for it – I can’t remember which direction the email went (and, of course, I never saw the reply (if any)). We should all watch which button we press before sending emails though.
When I was at the RSPB your name was often mentioned – in the warmest of terms, of course.
Climate change? Is it happening? Is it caused primarily by mankind? Just wondering? But you don’t have to answer any questions from me.
I do hope that the new NFU hierarchy will take a good look at farming’s environmental record and work to improve it. If you do, then I will praise you here – I’d like to have that opportunity.
“a while to settle in before lambasting them”
Why keep us waiting if you have already made up your mind?