Sir,
A significant majority of the NFU’s 47,000 members have tenancy interests, and it was at their specific request in our recent membership review that we enhanced and expanded our tenancy offer (‘NFU’s focus should not be on tenants’, FW, December 23).
Our interest is not simply traditional tenancies but all types of land holding and business arrangements. We are committed to increasing the opportunities, particularly for young farmers, because we see this as essential for a successful future for our industry. I do not think it would be a responsible step for the NFU to withdraw from tenancy matters. Tenant farmers have a significant role to play if we are to achieve our goal of producing more food.
As for the Euro, the NFU is fully aware of the crucial effect of currency on the fortunes of farming in this country. We are very vulnerable. When the banking sector was riding high, so was sterling and farming was in the doldrums. A large part of the improvement in farming fortunes in recent years is down to the weakness of sterling. Whatever our individual feelings about the EU or the Euro, as farmers we have a huge stake in the value of the Euro. Who knows if the rescue attempts will succeed, but if the Eurozone crashes in flames, it will present British farming with a huge challenge.
I thank Charlie for his continuing support of the NFU and wish him a prosperous 2012.
Yours sincerely,
Meurig Raymond
Deputy President
NFU
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