In this week’s vlog, NFU President Tom Bradshaw reflects on the damaging impacts of Storm Goretti and acknowledges the challenges for members in Cornwall who were greatly affected.
He talks about the Semex Conference in Glasgow, where he gave the opening speech, and reflects on the optimism present despite trying times for the dairy industry.
In addition, Tom considers his time at the Pershore Farming Conference, and outlines evidence he gave to the Business and Trade Committee on the EU reset and the SPS agreement, with his aim to secure favourable transition agreements for British farmers.
NFU Deputy President David Exwood updates members from LAMMA, where he was on the Low Carbon Agriculture panel, looking at how to make regenerative farming profitable, focusing on soil, knowledge exchange and adaptability.
Lastly, Tom reminds members to attend the upcoming 2026 officeholder elections to have the opportunity to talk to the candidates and have their voice heard.
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 19 January 2026
Your NFU officeholders, board members and policy staff make sure they represent your needs every day.
Monday 19 January
- The South region hustings for the 2026 NFU officeholder elections are taking place.
- NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony is meeting with APHA to discuss the NFU's response to their recent egg quality guidance consultation.
- NFU Poultry Adviser Tom Glen is attending a Defra Avian Influenza and biosecurity stakeholder meeting to hear the latest information on the current outbreak.
Tuesday 20 January
- The Cymru hustings for the 2026 NFU officeholder elections are taking place.
- The Midlands region hustings for the 2026 NFU officeholder elections are taking place.
- NFU Poultry Board Vice-chair Will Lea and NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony are hosting an Egg Sector Welfare Assurance meeting at NFU HQ.
- NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony is attending an Animal Health and Welfare Pathway poultry sector group meeting.
Wednesday 21 January
- The North region hustings for the 2026 NFU officeholder elections are taking place.
- The East region hustings for the 2026 NFU officeholder elections are taking place.
- NFU Chief Environment Adviser Diane Mitchell is giving evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee on the Environmental Improvement Plan.
- NFU Environment Adviser James Copeland is attending the Rural Flood Resilience Partnership meeting in London, alongside the Environment Agency, CLA (Country Land and Business Association), ADA (Association of Drainage Authorities), Natural England and ACRE.
- The final NFU Poultry Board meeting of the 2024-2026 term is taking place at NFU HQ.
- Young farming members from NFU and NFU Cymru will be in Edinburgh for the UK Farming Unions Next Generation Conference until Thursday.
Thursday 22 January
- The virtual hustings for the 2026 NFU officeholder elections are taking place.
- NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board are meeting, focusing on SPS, the newly announced Defra ambition to set out a horticulture sector plan, and energy support.
- NFU Chief Environment Adviser Diane Mitchell is attending the Leadership Forum on Biodiversity in London.
- NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony is attending an Avian Influenza Core Group meeting to hear the latest updates from Defra and APHA on the current outbreak.
- NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony is attending a Defra poultry meat sector stakeholder meeting to discuss the latest challenges and opportunities facing poultry meat members.
- NFU Poultry Adviser Tom Glen is attending a KANTAR webinar on consumer grocery buying trends for Christmas 2025.
Friday 23 January
- NFU Deputy David Exwood is attending the Red Tractor AFS (Assured Food Standards) meeting in London.
- NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony is attending an avian influenza turkey vaccination trial working group meeting.
