NFU welcomes Levy Board to Stoneleigh Park

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board will move to the National Agriculture Centre in Stoneleigh where the NFU has had its headquarters since 2005. The board will be located at the Warwickshire site from 2009.

The move will boost the Royal Agricultural Society of England's vision of creating the NAC as a hub for rural-based agricultural organisations and a centre of excellence in agriculture development.

Having all the sector companies on one site should result in better working arrangements and efficiencies.

NFU President Peter Kendall has praised the bold move. He said: "It is an enormous benefit that the sector companies will be able to work together in many areas, creating synergies and increasing efficiencies.

"While the move will inevitably cause some disruption, it is the right decision for the future. This is a very visible indication of a fresh start."

The NFU also welcomed that the confusion over the VAT status of the new Board has been resolved. Levies will in future be subject to VAT, allowing the Board to reclaim VAT on its purchases, potentially saving it £6m a year. All VAT-registered farmers will be able to reclaim the VAT on their levies.