The changes include the decision by chairman John Andrews to step down after three years, and the appointment of two independent panel members.

NFU president Ben Gill said that while the NFU remained opposed to an AWB, it hoped the appointments would improve operating processes within it.

The appointments follow fraught negotiations this year during which the NFU walked out in advance of approval being given for a wage increase estimated to cost the industry around £100m over nine months. The NFU has now rejoined the board to represent farmers and growers.

Gill said: 'No other sector of British industry retains a wages board and with the introduction of the national minimum wage three years ago, any remaining justification for its retention has been long since removed.

'For this reason it is crucial that the board considers not only the merits of a wage increase but the industry's ability to pay it.' Bob Fiddaman, chairman of NFU employment and education, added: 'At the very least we need to engender a proper atmosphere of debate with the newly appointed members to encourage and facilitate a proper negotiation between the employers and employees representatives in future meetings.' Negotiations for the next pay round begin in April 2003.

Topics