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In this week’s vlog, NFU President Tom Bradshaw reflects on a recent bluetongue webinar that included the Welsh Chief Veterinary Officer, Richard Irvine, and the Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Ele Brown.

He also talks about the government’s new trade strategy, along with the issues discussed a few days ago in Council – from where NFU Deputy President David Exwood recorded an update on farm safety.

Tom also highlights the benefits to members of our new communications system, and looks ahead to the upcoming Groundswell event.

Weekly look ahead

Week commencing 30 June 2025

Your NFU officeholders, board members and policy staff make sure they represent your needs every day.

Monday 30 June

• NFU Deputy President David Exwood and NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos will be attending the Farm Africa Summer Reception – 40 Years of Impact.
• NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony and members of the NFU National Poultry Board will be attending a meeting to discuss animal disease preparedness to feed into the current Public Accounts Committee investigation.
• NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony will be attending a meeting of the Laying Hen Welfare Forum (of which the NFU is a member) to discuss the latest welfare topics in the egg sector.

Tuesday 1 July

• NFU President Tom Bradshaw is giving evidence to the House of Lords on US-UK trade.
• NFU Deputy President David Exwood is meeting the Secretary of State for Science and Technology Peter Kyle (Labour, Hove and Portslade).
• NFU Deputy President David Exwood is meeting with HSE (Health and Safety Executive) Director of Engagement and Policy Rick Brunt about pesticides regulations in London.
• NFU Deputy President David Exwood is chairing the Agricultural Productivity group meeting.Ìý
• NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos is hosting a breakfast roundtable briefing for members of the House of Lords on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Peers will hear first-hand our members' concerns about the Bill, and Rachel will encourage them to table our amendments to the Bill.
• NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos is meeting with members of Water UK.
• NFU National Poultry Board Chair James Mottershead will be attending the Midlands Regional Poultry Board meeting.

Wednesday 2 July

• »Ê¼Ò»ªÈËis attending Groundswell. NFU President Tom Bradshaw is speaking on a panel about the Land Use Framework.
• NFU Deputy President David Exwood and NFU Sustainable Supply Chains Chief Adviser Alex Stevens are attending the FDF (Food & Drink Federation) Parliamentary Reception in Westminster.
• NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony and several members of the NFU National Poultry Board will be attending a special avian influenza meeting between poultry sector stakeholders and government representatives from Defra and APHA to discuss how the sector and government can work together on avian influenza response and disease control strategy.

Thursday 3 July

• »Ê¼Ò»ªÈËis attending Groundswell. NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos will be in attendance.
• NFU Sustainable Supply Chains Chief Adviser Alex Stevens is attending the UK Food & Drink Pact steering group at the Arla innovation farm in Buckinghamshire.
• NFU member Emily Ashford is speaking at Animal Health Europe’s annual conference in Brussels. This year is titled ‘Preventing Disease X: The value of investing in animal health’ and Emily will speak about her experience with grappling with bTB on her farm.
• NFU Poultry Adviser Tom Glen will be attending a GB Avian Influenza Core Group meeting to hear the latest update on the current disease outbreak and highlight issues and feedback from NFU members.

Friday 4 July

• NFU Crops Board Chair Jamie Burrows and NFU Crops Adviser Alastair Heinrich will be in Brussels to attend the Copa Cogeca working party on cereals and oilseeds.
• NFU Sustainability Group Lead Jack Watts is giving a key note presentation at the .Ìý