A Warwickshire livestock farmer will challenge for one of the NFU’s top three officeholder posts and has won backing from regional farmers.
Adam Quinney, who farms at Sambourne, near Redditch, will contest the union’s vice president’s post which will be decided in February.
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Nominations for officeholders were set to close today (11 January) at 5pm for farmers to put themselves forward as candidates for the NFU President, Deputy President and Vice President positions.
Mr Quinney’s decision to stand was announced at the Worcestershire county annual general meeting last night because the Warwickshire NFU annual general meeting is not until Friday, after the nomination deadline.
Mr Quinney is a former Henley NFU branch chairman, NFU Council representative, regional board chairman and has held a series of other posts including on the national livestock committee.
An EBLEX director he has sheep, a suckler unit and a beef finishing unit that also incorporates ASDA’s progeny testing unit on his farm, part of which is on the Warwickshire / Worcestershire border.
At last night’s AGM the county gave their support to him and said he was the type of character needed to help lead the union in the months and years ahead.
Clive Davies, the new Worcestershire NFU county chairman, said: “Those who have worked and watched Adam have to be impressed by the way he goes about things.
“His knowledge, clear thinking and passion and the way he has the ability to put that forward and speak about the industry on our behalf has to be applauded.
“We would like to propose that Adam goes in as a candidate for vice president of the NFU for the forthcoming presidential elections.
“As a county we should get behind him and give him our support as he is the type of person that we want leading our organisation.”
Worcestershire grower Margaret Herbert, of Earls Croome, seconded the proposal and endorsed Mr Davies’ comments adding that Mr Quinney was always thinking about the industry and working to benefit it.
Mr Quinney will be at the NFU regional office, at Agriculture House, Southwater Way, Telford, on January 17, for a hustings event with the other prospective officeholders.
The event will start at 7.30pm and is open to all farmer and grower members.
NFU regional director John Mercer said: “I would ask West Midlands’ farmers to take the opportunity to go to the hustings, hear what the candidates have to say and help shape the future of their organisation.
“There are some big challenges and opportunities for the industry in the months and years ahead including farm profitability, bovine tuberculosis and reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
“I am sure some of these issues and more will be discussed at the hustings and we welcome the event and the candidates to our region.”
The elections will be decided at the end of the union’s conference and AGM, in Birmingham, in February.
No comments have been made.