Growers are facing unprecedented challenges, from new trading arrangements with the EU, to disruptions to supply chains and unprecedented inflationary pressures.

The NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board has a vital role to play in representing the interests of NFU members as part of the government’s policy development.

Looking ahead, the focus will be on fairness in the supply chain, ensuring we have a border regime that supports biosecurity and smooth trade flows, accessing labour, peat growing media, the future for productivity funding, and the future of the EU Fruit and Veg aid scheme.

If you’d like to understand more about ambition of the Horticulture and Potatoes Board and the other policy areas we lobby on, read the NFU’s Horticulture Growth Strategy.

It’s a big challenge but an exciting time to get involved – don’t miss out on this opportunity. Deadline to apply: 11 February

What roles are available?

The NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board consists of 13 appointed members, including an elected chair and two vice chairs, plus up to four additional co-options.

The Board has a rolling process of annual appointments to ensure that every two years there is not the prospect of all 13 board members having to seek re-appointment and this enables some continuity of member representation.

This year there are seven positions up for appointment, including one co-option that can be filled where there is deemed a sector or knowledge gap.

We welcome new nominations as well as applications from existing board members. Representatives on the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board are selected by a panel consisting of an NFU Officeholder, NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board chair (with the exception of their own appointment), and the chief adviser (crop and plant production).

There is no sector or regional quota applied to the selection process. However, the selection panel is aware of the need not only to appoint the best individuals but to achieve a balanced representation of the major crop sector interests and geographical coverage as necessary.

Appointed members serve a two-year term in office and can then stand for re-appointment for a total of three terms. Co-options also serve terms of two years.

How do I apply?

What happens next

Candidates will be notified of the results via email before the end of February.

The first Board meeting that members will be expected to attend is 18 March 2025 – it is intended to be held physically at NFU headquarters in Warwickshire.

Applicants should aim to be available to attend this first meeting or explain in their application why this will not be possible.

Responsibilities of the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board

The Board is the focal point for NFU policy making in the horticulture and potatoes sector. Board members are appointed and empowered to make informed and responsible decisions on national (England and Wales) horticulture policy issues.

Decisions made by the board are collective, meaning that any policy decision taken by the board is endorsed and advocated by members and staff.

The collective responsibilities of the NFU’s Horticulture and Potatoes Board are:

1. Determine and champion the NFU’s policies in respect of the horticulture and potatoes sector and help to set priorities in respect of key policy issues.
2. To develop and help implement NFU strategy in the horticulture and potatoes sector.
3. Demonstrate leadership on key policy issues and lobbying activity to and from members and stakeholders within their respective crop sectors – maintaining active dialogue and communication, and actively representing the NFU at events, external meetings and, where appropriate, with the media.
4. Demonstrate leadership to the NFU’s grower members at regional and national level.
5. Take ownership and be accountable for representing members through the NFU policy making process and horizon scanning upcoming policy areas that may impact growers’ businesses in the future, so we can be proactive in our lobbying to influence change.

Board member duties

All members are expected to have regular access to a computer/ digital device since all correspondence relating to the board is done electronically.

Specific duties include:

• Attend all NFU national board meetings and other such meetings (regional and national NFU business) as necessary. Poor attendance at board meetings may result in a review of suitability for the position, and a deduction in honoraria.
• Respond to requests for information and input from NFU staff.
• Read in advance all papers that are relevant to the work of the Board and provide feedback and/or guidance as required.
• Be the NFU’s recognised regional and / or national spokesperson on key policy issues.
• Develop relationships with representatives of the industry and supply chain.
• Attend and engage with regional boards to ensure that they guide the work of the national Board and provide a wider consultative forum for discussion on horticulture and potatoes policy issues.
• Represent the views of regional growers on the national Board.
• Ensure that policy decisions taken by the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board are communicated properly to members in each region and to ensure that regional communications are sufficient to ensure that members have access to information on NFU policy work.
• Take responsibility for specific horizontal issues on behalf of the board.
• Communicate electronically with staff and other board members.
• Represent the NFU on external committees and boards as required.
• Observe the NFU’s code of conduct for appointed representatives of the association.

Honorarium

The NFU pays an honorarium to the business that board members are from.

This is to compensate the business for costs arising from the board member being away from the business due to their NFU commitments.

Co-opted positions result in a day rate paid to the business, rather than an honoraria. Expenses associated with board meetings and board activities are also paid.

Prospective candidates can contact [email protected] for further details.