Archive Article: 1998/01/09
TONY PEXTON
Watton Grange, Nr Driffield, Yorks.
Farming 461ha (1140 acres) of combinable crops, vining peas, pigs and grass.
Age: 55
Took over the farm in the early 1970s.
Began attending local NFU branch meetings in mid-1960s, with subsequent election to the East Riding executive.
1981 – elected to NFU council, sitting on both cereals and livestock and wool committees (at that time the farm fattened store cattle and carried 1000 ewes.)
Became vice-chairman cereals committee 1985, and chairman of the oils and proteins sub-committee.
1987 – elected chairman cereals committee.
Elected NFU vice-president 1992 (subsequently became deputy president in 1995 when vice-president post abolished).
CHALLENGES FOR NFU:
"We live in times of change, the speed and degree of which could be unusual. The CAP has to fit with eastward expansion of the EU and the next WTO round.
"We need to have the right team in place, comprising both professional staff and farmer members, looking within Europe and the UK, to deal with that. We must make sure we reflect the times, and are representing members needs.