Agricultural History Review, Volume 39 Part 1 (1991), pp. 30–47

The early history of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) has hitherto been comparatively neglected. The associations of agricultural interest which preceded it and the circumstances of its formation in 1908 are outlined. Whereas agricultural interests had often been divided and weak, the union, particularly under Colin Campbell's leadership, established both its credibility and a sound organizational structure. The period of the Great War consolidated and extended its ability to speak authoritatively for the needs of agriculture and the significance of the War Agricultural Executive Committees is considered. Emerging NFU positions on the issue of protection and its moves towards a more positive and constructive role in policy formulation are examined. Circumstances at the outset of the Second World War forced a recognition of the need for a working partnership between farmers and the state: a development of corporatist relations made possible by the prior emergence of a representative farmers' organization with the necessary organizational capability and political acumen. This paper shows how those competences were acquired. 

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