Sir Ben, who led the NFU from 1998 to 2004, led the industry during the most turbulent years in modern farming history.
He presided over the aftermath of the 1996 BSE announcement and the tortuous efforts to rebuild the international reputation of the UK beef industry and then, in 2001, the foot-and-mouth crisis, during which he was a powerful voice in opposing a vaccination policy.
His time at the helm also coincided with a period of historically low prices across the farming sector.
The NFU said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by the news and described Sir Ben, who served as deputy president between 1992 and 1998, as a ‘determined, vocal and passionate advocate for Britain’s farming sector’and a ‘lifelong servant of the industry ’.
NFU president Meurig Raymond, who served on NFU Council when Sir Ben was president, said: “Ben Gill always had a big personality and tremendous determination.
“He led the farming industry through some very difficult times, but he always fought hard on behalf of the NFU’s farmer and grower members. Our industry will continue to benefit for a long time as a result of his achievements.
“Our sympathies are with his wife Lady Carolyn and his four sons.”
A strong, sometimes combative, character, he became a nationally-known figure during farming’s crisis years, regularly appearing in the national media to make the case for the embattled farming industry.
He played a huge role, in particular in persuading Prime Minister Tony Blair and Agriculture Minister Nick Brown to refrain from an FMD vaccination policy in 2001, a decision he subsequently claimed history proved to be the right one.
He was a leading figure in the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy in 2003.
Knighted
Appointed a CBE in 1996 and knighted in 2004, Sir Ben farmed in Yorkshire.
AHDB chairman Peter Kendall, who served as NFU president for eight years, said: “This is a sad loss - Ben was a high profile and enthusiastic farming leader. Our sympathies go to his family.”
Sir Don Curry, a big figure in various roles during Sir Ben’s presidency, said he first met Sir Ben on a train on their way to their first NFU Council meeting, after which they became best of friends, working together for more than 20 years.
“He will probably be best remembered for his leadership during the Foot and Mouth crisis. It was a time when the industry needed strong leadership and he delivered that in spades.
“He was highly intelligent and very robust in his representation of the industry. To my mind he was one of the strongest leaders our industry has seen. He will be a huge loss to his wife Carolyn, his four boys and the industry as a whole.”
Robust
Richard Betton, NFU Durham council representative, said: “Ben did so much for the industry, and particularly the livestock industry, at a time of real on-going crisis.
“He kept the industry together and the fact that we came through that period, if not unscathed, at least still standing is due in no small part to him.
“He was extremely robust in his approach and that sometimes made him a challenge to deal with, but he was always incredibly articulate and quick on his feet in any argument. He’s a great loss.”
Charles Haigh, Wakefield farmer and former county chairman, described Sir Ben as a ‘remarkable servant both to the NFU and farmers right across the land’.
“He was a principled man and will be remembered as one of our strongest leaders who did a tremendous job at a time of real adversity for us all. I knew him for 30 years and know he will be sadly missed,” he said.
Rosey Dunn, North East Regional Board chairman, said: “Sir Ben was a highly visible and influential President who worked tirelessly for farmers through some of our most difficult years, but he also championed the wider industry for most of his career.
“He certainly inspired and encouraged me and many others to take an active role in the NFU with his enthusiasm, commitment and forward-thinking approach.”
