This means the NFU can soon embark on its biggest ever consultation with its 47,000 farmer and grower members. The paper covers crucial areas such as trade, access to labour, financial support and regulation and was discussed by the Policy Board members – farmers and growers from around the country - on Wednesday July 27.
The next steps will see regional meetings start next week, with the full consultation meetings led by NFU officeholders beginning on August 22 with 49 events across the country.
The briefing paper will be available on NFUonline for NFU members in due course and a shorter options paper will also be published for feedback at the full consultation meetings.
The NFU officeholder team, President Meurig Raymond, Deputy President Minette Batters and Vice President Guy Smith, believes this consultation presents an historic opportunity to shape farming policy.
The meetings will give NFU members a unique opportunity to discuss the implications of the Brexit vote and the options that could form part of a vigorous new agricultural policy. The NFU will then enter into detailed talks with other organisations later this autumn.
NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “Our member consultation will be the foundation of our high level vision for domestic agriculture. This helps us engage with the Government and shape a domestic farm policy; one which will lead to a profitable, productive and sustainable future for our industry.
“Over the coming weeks we will be consulting with our members, in every sector and in every county, getting their considered thoughts on our options paper in order to feed in to a final report.
“This really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for farmers to be part of deciding the future of British farming. We need as many members as possible to be involved.
“The views of NFU members will be collated and fed back as a final report is prepared. This will go back to NFU Policy Board on September 29, before final agreement by NFU Council in October.
“There is a clear need for agriculture and horticulture to show unity. When our consultation with our members is complete we will then be in a position to work alongside other organisations with shared goals and vision to ensure that British agriculture has a profitable and productive future outside of the EU and that the industry capitalises on those new opportunities.”
Farming grows the raw ingredients for the UK’s food and drink industry worth £108 billion, and providing jobs for 3.9 million people.