Press Release

Farmers For Action
en route to an Alternative Farming Union

Farmers For Action feel that the National Farmers Union (NFU) have been given a fair opportunity to show they are changing and wish to represent British grassroot farmers. The FMD epidemic has shown that they are not prepared to do this, but instead continue to sidle up to both government and major corporations. In view of this, negotiations have now started with the ultimate aim of offering British grassroot farmers and rural dwellers an alternative to the NFU.

FFA want to offer a very high standard of alternative but an alternative that is run by grassroot members and not academics who have completely lost touch with what is actually happening on the ground. It is hoped that these negotiations will be completed in early 2002 as they do involve major discussions in relation to offering a complete package to FFA members.

The new organisation must have power.

• It must be able to lobby both government and major corporations.
  

• It also must be able to take stronger action should the normal avenues be blocked, something which the NFU have failed to do.
  

• It must represent grassroot members and live amongst grassroot members in order to understand their needs, not sit in the centre of London, which ultimately leads to an organisation losing touch with what is happening within the rural community.
  

• This organisation has to be able to offer what the members require. It must understand their needs and be able to look forward to the future. It will be an organisation that will push forward issues such as New Entrant Schemes to get all the benefits of membership of the EU to enable young people to build a very successful and vibrant agricultural industry in the UK. Without these young people entering our industry and continuing our farming tradition, we will see the demise of the British countryside.
  

• The organisation must also care for the needs of the older members, the members who wish to retire with dignity. We must make sure again that all the resources that are available in the European pot are spread equally amongst British farmers as well as the rest of Europe.
  

• It must be able to offer competitive insurance packages. A package that meets the needs of both small and large agricultural business alike. This is why the discussions with one of the sponsors will take some considerable time. We have to be sure what they offer is what we require. The organisation will be forward thinking and will be run by young and old alike, who are enthusiastic about maintaining British farming communities. The NFU have lost the respect of the majority of British farmers. As the FMD crisis has shown more often than not, they are very reluctant to challenge the government.
  

FFA will not be going down that route.

Further information can be found at www.farmersforaction.fsnet.co.uk