The NFU has elected Minette Batters as its new president, succeeding outgoing chief Meurig Raymond.
Batters becomes the first female head of the National Farmers' Union in its 110 year history, beating fellow union candidate Guy Smith to the post after an AGM vote at the annual conference in Birmingham.
She takes the helm during an unprecedented period of turbulence for UK agriculture as Britain’s protracted EU withdrawal leaves farmers in limbo.
Batters said: “I am delighted to have been elected as President of the NFU and I am grateful to all the members who have given me the opportunity to lead our industry through Brexit and beyond.
“At the heart of the NFU is its members and I would like the organisation to aim even higher on their behalf. British farming is in the spotlight like never before and this is a great opportunity to reposition the sector in the eyes of the nation.
“Together as a new officeholder team, we will hit the ground running and I look forward to sharing our new vision for farming at the earliest opportunity.”
Batters runs a 300 acre farm in the Avon Valley in Wiltshire with cattle and sheep. She predicted a female head of the NFU back in 2011, before rising through the ranks and taking the position herself.
Following the announcement, Guy Smith was subsequently elected as the new deputy president.
