The NFU - which is still conducting its major membership consultation, responses to which will guide the group’s campaigning demands for domestic agricultural policy - has created a Brexit Unit, which it hopes will give it more political clout, as policies are renationalised in the coming years.

Nick von Westenholz will join the NFU as Director of EU Exit and International Trade in the new year, to lead the unit’s work. von Westenholz is currently CEO of the Crop Protection Association, which represents agchem manufacturers, and is a former NFU head of government affairs.

Commenting on the appointment on Friday,  NFU Director General Terry Jones said, “We have made no secret of our determination to seize the opportunities offered by the forthcoming Brexit deals to ensure that British farming has a profitable and productive future and is able to seize and capitalise on new opportunities.

“In the coming weeks and months ahead it is essential that food and farming is front and centre of any talks about the UK’s relationship with Europe and the rest of the world and I am confident the building blocks being put in place now will ensure the NFU is able to work with the two new Government departments, Exiting the EU and International Trade. I am delighted Nick von Westenholz is re-joining the NFU to lead the new and strategically important Brexit team to ensure the voice of farming is at the heart of policy and decision-making in these crucial talks.”
 
Mr von Westenholz added, “I’m delighted to be taking up this new post at the NFU at such a critical time for UK agriculture. While Brexit presents clear challenges to UK farming in the coming years, if we get it right it offers the prospect of an exciting future, both to the benefit of domestic food production and our precious natural environment. The NFU has shown a strong intent to be on the front foot in getting the best out of Brexit for British farmers and I’m immensely excited about stepping up to that task on behalf of the NFU’s members.”