NFU president Meurig Raymond has announced he is standing down after four years in the role and 14 years as an NFU office holder.
Raymond announced he will not seek re-election in an email to NFU council members, having previously said he would not want to serve beyond 2020.
“I had always been clear that I would not want to serve as an officeholder beyond 2020 and so, for the sake of continuity and consistency throughout this critical period for British farming, I believe it is right that I should step back now rather than in 2020,” he said.
“This has been a very difficult decision for me, but it has become increasingly clear that the complex negotiations for the UK to leave the EU will go well beyond the next two years.
His decision means a new president will be elected in February 2018, with frontrunners including deputy president Minette Batters and vice president Guy Smith.
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