Our Past
Counties join in 1909
Brecon and Radnor, Gloucestershire, Hants, Leicestershire, Northants, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire joined the NFU in 1909.
Counties join in 1913
Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire, Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire and Monmouth joined the NFU in 1910.
Counties join in 1914
Berkshire, Merioneth, Middlesex, Pembrokeshire and Rutland joined the NFU in 1917.
Counties join in 1918
Buckinghamshire, Durham, Staffordshire, Surrey, Norfolk, Cumberland, Westmorland, Cheshire, Dorset, Flint, Glamorgan, Isle of Wight, Lancashire, Northumberland, Wiltshire, Anglesey, Denbigh, Montgomeryshire and Carmarthenshire joined the NFU in 1918.
Churchill speaks to the NFU 1926
Churchill attended the annual dinner of the NFU in October 1926, when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer.
On the march 1930
NFU members on the march in 1930 to protest about the neglect of the agricultural industry during the years of national depression.
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President Turner 1945 - 59
Sir James Turner (Yorkshire) was President from 1945 to 1959 and was given the title Lord Netherthorpe.
Agriculture Act 1947
The 1947 Agriculture Act was the foundation stone for the long period of stability and expansion that British farming enjoyed in the post war era.
Agricultural Holdings Act 1948
Set out a detailed code of rights to compensation and security of tenure.
The British Farmer launched 1948
The official journal of the national Farmers' Union for England and Wales was launched in July 1948.
What a great service 1948
Here's a small piece from the front page of the NFU's own publication The British Farmer.
National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
To protect areas of spectacular landscape and to provide recreation opportunities.
Wool Marketing Act 1950
Established a scheme for collection, storage and marketing of all UK fleece wool by the British Wool Marketing Board.
Agriculture Safety Health and Welfare Provisions Act 1956
First major legislation dealing with safety and welfare of agricultural workers and protection of children on farm.
Harold Macmillan speech 1958
Speaking at the annual dinner of the National Farmers' Union on 17 November 1958, the Prime Minister Harold Macmillan sought to reconcile the two strands of the Government's agricultural policy at the time.
Commons Registration Act 1965
Commons Registers to be set up and maintained by registration authorities.
NFU protest march 1965
Former East Sussex NFU chairman John Padfield came forward with some stirring memories and striking photographs from the not so halcyon days of guaranteed prices.
Tractor Cab Regulations 1967
To protect tractor drivers from serious injury in the event of an overturn.
Regulation EEC prices 1968
Established the common market organisation in beef and veal, aimed at keeping EEC prices at an agreed level.
Welsh Council elects first Chairman 1968
Sir Meuric Rees was the first Chairman of the Welsh Council.
Warble Fly Order 1978
Warbled cattle subject to movement restrictions and owners required to treat them with organophosphate insecticides.
Farmers lobby parliament 1984
More than 550 farmers from all over the UK took part in a mass lobby of MPs before an EEC crisis debate in the House of Commons.
Chernobyl 1986
NFU President Sir Simon Gourlay sends reassuring message that Welsh lamb is safe and good to eat post-Chernobyl.
President Naish 1991 - 98
David Naish (Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire) was President from 1991 to 1998.
Keep Britain Farming 1998
The second half of the 1990s was a desperately difficult time for British farming.
Assured Food Standards established 2000
AFS was established in the spring of 2000, just in time for the launch of the Red Tractor in June of that year.
NFU HQ moves to Stoneleigh Park 2005
The NFU made the move from central London to new purpose-built headquarters at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire in December 2005.
