Volume 12: Livestock Farming
7. Sources of expertise and advice to farmers
National Farmers' Union

7.15 The NFU represents the interests of farmers and growers in England and Wales. It has nine regional offices and local branches in each county. Membership is voluntary, and at March 1998 exceeded 130,000. This included more than 70 per cent of full-time farmers and growers, and 43,000 'countryside members', who have an interest in rural land but are not dependent on farming for their livelihoods. It has no political affiliations, and is self-funding. ¹

7.16 The NFU's stated objective is to promote successful agriculture and horticulture, while ensuring the long-term viability of rural communities. It is involved in a range of rural affairs and collaborates with many other groupsand organisations both within the UK and Europe and elsewhere to advancerural interests. ²

7.17 With a comprehensive branch structure throughout England, the NFU was well placed to help convey information on farming issues from government to farmers. This was especially true in relation to BSE, and vol. 3: The Early Years, 1986-88 and vol. 5: Animal Health, 1989-96 should be consulted for accounts of how government and the NFU worked together to convey information on BSEto farmers.

7.18 The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) was formed in 1955 as a breakaway group from the NFU. The FUW was officially recognised in 1977, and has between 13,000 and 14,000 members.