In this week’s vlog, NFU President Tom Bradshaw explains what happened when NFU members responded in their hundreds to our call to action for Labour MPs to abstain from voting this week on the part of the Finance Bill relating to the family farm tax. He thanks those MPs who showed they were unwilling to support the government and explains what to expect from the Bill's second reading later this month.
He also shares his thoughts on Defra's revised Environmental Improvement Plan which was launched this week, and tells us what was discussed between Vice-president Rachel Hallos and Chair of the Environment Agency Alan Lovell when they met on farm.
With increased electricity charges due to come into force, Tom also tells members where they can get support from NFU Energy.
This year marks the 9th year of the NFU’s Buy My Turkey Day campaign to promote British turkey producers and showcase their high standards – Tom thanks the producers who are bringing Christmas to families across the UK even while confronted with the growing threat of AI.
Staying with turkeys – have you ever wanted to know why they gobble? Well, schoolchildren from across England and Wales did… Tom ends the vlog celebrating the success of NFU Education’s festive live lessons, which reached more than 82,000 schoolchildren, deepening their understanding of and connection to British food and farming.
Keep up to date with all NFU work with the weekly look ahead. Have a look at where your board members and policy staff will be this coming week.
Weekly look ahead
Week commencing 8 December 2025
Your NFU officeholders, board members and policy staff make sure they represent your needs every day.
Monday 8 December
- NFU President Tom Bradshaw is speaking at the Essex AGM.
- NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony is attending a GB Avian Influenza Core Group meeting to hear the latest updates from Defra and APHA on the current disease outbreak.
- NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony is attending a stakeholder meeting in London to discuss avian influenza insurance availability.
- NFU Nutrient Management Specialist Charlotte Allen and NFU Chief Environment Adviser Diane Mitchell are meeting with the Environment Agency.
Tuesday 9 December
- NFU Deputy President David Exwood is chairing the Farm Safety Partnership annual meeting.
- NFU Deputy President David Exwood is speaking at the West Sussex AGM.
- NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony is attending a BFREPA (British Free Range Egg Producers Association) board meeting in London as a co-opted member.
Wednesday 10 December
- NFU President Tom Bradshaw is attending a meeting with Adam Dance and constituency MPs.
- NFU President Tom Bradshaw is speaking at the Ribblesdale Farmers Club Talk.
- NFU Deputy President David Exwood is meeting with Defra Special Adviser Ben Szreter.
- NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos is attending a TIAH (The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture) Board meeting.
- NFU Director General Terry Jones is attending the APPG (all-party parliamentary group) 'UK Dairy: Investing in Growth, Trade and Sustainability' Christmas reception at the House of Commons
- NFU Director General Terry Jones, NFU Director of Policy Andrew Clark, and NFU Director of Communications and External Affairs James Clark are hosting the NFU Christmas Parliamentary Reception with civil servants and advisers.
- NFU Crops Board Chair Jamie Burrows and NFU Senior Combinable Crops Policy Specialist Luke Cox will be in Brussels for the Copa Cogeca working party on cereals and oilseeds. As well as meeting with European producers and experts, they will meet with UK Government officials to discuss the SPS negotiations.
- NFU Poultry Adviser Tom Glen is attending a Defra Avian Influenza stakeholder meeting to hear the latest update on Defra and APHA disease control and surveillance activity.
Thursday 11 December
- NFU President Tom Bradshaw is meeting with Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle.
- NFU President Tom Bradshaw is meeting with Minister Tomlinson.
- NFU Deputy President David Exwood is attending the FCP (Farming and Countryside Programme) Senior Stakeholder Roundtable.
- NFU Director General Terry Jones, NFU Director of Policy Andrew Clark, and NFU Director of Communications and External Affairs James Clark are attending the Regional Staff Conference East on Thursday and Friday.
- NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony is attending a GB Avian Influenza Core Group meeting to hear the latest updates from Defra and APHA on the current disease outbreak.
- NFU Poultry Adviser Tom Glen and NFU Poultry Board Vice-chair Will Lea are meeting with APHA to discuss biosecurity protocols for APHA surveillance visits.
Friday 12 December
- NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony is attending a Defra stakeholder meeting to discuss an upcoming UK Avian Influenza vaccination trial in turkeys.
