Ben Gill was re-elected unopposed as president of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) at the close of the organisation's two-day annual conference and AGM in London yesterday.

Union governing body, the NFU Council, also voted to reinstate Tim Bennett as deputy president and Michael Paske as the organisation's vice president. And Michael Lambert held on to his position as NFU treasurer for a second term.

First elected president in 1998, Gill said he was extremely pleased to have been given the opportunity to continue leading the NFU's officeholder team.

'The NFU's determination and dedication to provide a strong voice for farmers at this time of immense change within the industry has never been more important,' he said.

'I intend to continue working as part of the NFU's strong officeholder team to put forward the case for farmers everywhere.' The new NFU officeholder team will serve for a period of two years.