NFUS In Europe
With the EU playing such a key role in shaping agriculture in the UK, it is vital that NFU Scotland has a strong voice in Europe. NFU Scotland, together with NFU England and Wales and the Ulster Farmers' Union, jointly fund an office in Brussels.
The British Agriculture Bureau was opened in 1972 to represent the interests of UK farmers and growers in all matters of EU policy. With a team of six full-time staff, the Brussels office works with other EU farming unions to maintain an effective liaison with decision-makers and bureaucrats in the main EU institutions: the European Council, the European Parliament and the Commission.
The day to day gathering of information on EU policy developments allows NFU Scotland members to have an early say in the shaping of critical pieces of legislation. This coupled with a credible lobbying function means that Commission officials, MEPs and other member states are kept fully informed of the views of Scottish farmers.