Rachel Hallos from West Yorkshire has been named as the new Vice-President of the National Farmers’ Union.
Rachel’s family has an upland farm at Ripponden, home to a herd of pedigree Salers cattle and a flock of Scottish blackface sheep. She joins Present Tom Bradshaw and Deputy President David Exwood as an officeholder of the organisation representing 46,000 farmers in the UK.
She said: “I’m incredibly proud and grateful to have the opportunity to represent Britain’s farmers as part of the NFU officeholder team.
“As farmers are on the front line of climate change it is essential that profitability is built back into the sector, so we are able to invest in resilient businesses that are able to continue producing nutritious food for the nation. I look forward to working with Tom and David over the next two years to navigate the industry through times of much change.”
Deputy President David Exwood said: “I have been proud to represent the British farming industry over the past two years as Vice President and I am looking forward to building on this work as Deputy President. I would like to thank Minette Batters for everything she has done for the organisation and congratulate Tom and Rachel on their new officeholder roles.
“With a general election on the horizon, the next two years are key for the future of British agriculture as we continue the transition from direct payments. In an uncertain business environment, it is essential that farmers are recognised by all political parties for the climate-friendly food they produce, economic contribution they make to rural communities and their role as caretakers of the countryside.”
