The President of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) has announced that he will stand down by February 2018.
NFU president Meurig Raymond, in an email to NFU council members, said he has decided not to stand for re-election as president of the farming union in February 2018.
Mr Raymond has held two four-year terms as president.
The email by Mr Raymond read: “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.
“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.
“Our thinking on Brexit is well-developed, we have built effective alliances across and beyond our own industry and the NFU has built up a significant reservoir of cross-party political support.
“We have successfully made the case for this most important of industries and moved food and farming up the political agenda while at the same time the NFU has made, and continues to make, a real difference for its members on so many fronts.
“I am passionate about this industry and I look forward to working hard to represent our farmers and growers as NFU president over the next four months.
“I will continue to support and champion this great industry in whatever way I can in the coming years.”
Successors tipped to be the next NFU president include vice-president Guy Smith and deputy president Minette Batters.
