The eminent former president of the NFU and chairman of English Apples and Pears (EAP)Sir Ben Gill has died at the age of 64 after a long illness.
EAP chief executive Adrian Barlow told FPJ he had spoken to Sir Ben - chairman of EAP since 2007 - regarding business matters just last week.
Sir Ben, who leaves behind his wife Lady Carolyn and four sons, is understood to have farmed land in Yorkshire before moving to Herefordshire in the mid-00s. He served as NFU deputy president from 1992 to 1998, before leading the union during crises such as foot and mouth and BSE between 1998 and 2004.
Barlow said: 'This news is just enormously sad.His will be a massive loss to his friends, of whom he had many. He was a hugely admired man, and a lot of people will feel the world has lost someone of immense quality; a kind man who was always supportive.
'Sir Ben was very intelligent with a very quick mind, and was excellent at solving complex problems. He was someone who thought very broadly about how to tackle problems and different issues, and came up with various points that others would perhaps have not considered.'
Barlow added: 'He put English Apples and Pears in a position where we could open doors that would have been very difficult to open without him, and his work was of immense benefit to the industry.'
Appointed a CBE in 1996 and knighted in 2004, Sir Ben played a key role in calling for major reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy in 2003, and was renowned worldwide for his leadership of the sector during the BSE and foot and mouth outbreaks.
NFU president Meurig Raymond, who served on the NFU Council when Sir Ben was president, said: “Ben Gill always had a big personality and tremendous determination.
“He led the farming industry through some very difficult times, but he always fought hard on behalf of the NFU’s farmer and grower members. Our industry will continue to benefit for a long time as a result of his achievements.'
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