Join the NFU’s Horticulture and Potatoes Board

With growers facing unprecedented challenges over the past few years, the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board has a vital role to play in representing the interests of NFU members within the government’s policy development.

Looking ahead, the two key focus areas will be ensuring the sector voice is heard during the EU/UK reset negotiations, and driving forward the new government commitment to establish a horticulture growth plan following the newly-established Defra Food and Farming Partnership Board.  

Key policy work will also continue, such as contract reform and fairness in the supply chain, accessing labour, crop protection and not least the future for productivity funding, plus much more.  

If you’d like to understand more about the ambition of the Horticulture and Potatoes Board and other policy work we lobby on, please visit the NFU’s Horticulture Growth Strategy and the horticulture area of NFUonline.

It’s a big challenge but an exciting time to get involved – don’t miss out on this opportunity. Deadline to apply: 15 February

What roles are available?

We welcome new nominations as well as applications from existing board members.

The NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board consists of 13 appointed members, including an elected chair and two vice-chairs, plus up to four additional co-options. Members are appointed to serve a two-year term of office and can then stand for re-appointment for a total of three terms.

How do I apply?

Appointment process

Representatives on the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board are selected by a panel consisting of an NFU Officeholder, NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board Chair (with the exception of their own appointment), and the Chief Adviser (Crop and Plant Production). 

There is no sector or regional quota applied to the selection process. However, the selection panel is aware of the need not only to appoint the best individuals but to achieve a balanced representation of the major crop sector interests and geographical coverage as necessary. 

Responsibilities of the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board

The Board is the focal point for NFU policy making in the horticulture and potatoes sector. Board members are appointed and empowered to make informed and responsible decisions on national (England and Wales) horticulture policy issues.

Decisions made by the Board are collective, meaning that any policy decision taken by the Board is endorsed and advocated by members and staff.

The collective responsibilities of the NFU’s Horticulture and Potatoes Board are:

1. Determine and champion the NFU’s policies in respect of the horticulture and potatoes sector and help to set priorities in respect of key policy issues.
2. To develop and help implement NFU strategy in the horticulture and potatoes sector.
3. Demonstrate leadership on key policy issues and lobbying activity to and from members and stakeholders within their respective crop sectors – maintaining active dialogue and communication, and actively representing the NFU at events, external meetings and, where appropriate, with the media.
4. Demonstrate leadership to the NFU’s grower members at regional and national level.
5. Take ownership and be accountable for representing members through the NFU policy making process and horizon scanning upcoming policy areas that may impact growers’ businesses in the future, so we can be proactive in our lobbying to influence change.

Board member duties

All members are expected to have regular access to a computer/ digital device since all correspondence relating to the board is done electronically.

Specific duties include:

• Attend all NFU National Board meetings (minimum six board meetings per year) and other such meetings (regional and national NFU business) as necessary. Poor attendance at board meetings may result in a review of suitability for the position, and a deduction in honoraria.
• Respond to requests for information and input from NFU staff.
• Read in advance all papers that are relevant to the work of the Board and provide feedback and/or guidance as required.
• Be the NFU’s recognised regional and/or national spokesperson on key policy issues.
• Develop relationships with representatives of the industry and supply chain.
• Attend and engage regional boards to ensure that they guide the work of the National Board and provide a wider consultative forum for discussion on horticulture and potatoes policy issues.
• Represent the views of regional growers on the National Board.
• Ensure that policy decisions taken by the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board are communicated properly to members in each region and to ensure that regional communications are sufficient to ensure that members have access to information on NFU policy work.
• Take responsibility for specific horizontal issues on behalf of the Board.
• Communicate electronically with staff and other Board members.
• Represent the NFU on external committees and Boards as required.
• Observe the NFU’s code of conduct for appointed representatives of the association.

Honorarium

The NFU pays an honorarium to the business that Board members are from.

This is to compensate for the time taken out of the business by the individual for their NFU commitments. Co-opted positions are paid a day rate to the business, rather than an honoraria. Expenses associated with Board meetings and Board activities are also paid.  

Prospective candidates can contact [email protected] for further details.