The president of Britain’s biggest farming union has announced that he is quitting as leader.

East Anglian Daily Times: National Famers Union President Peter Kendall in SuffolkNational Famers Union President Peter Kendall in Suffolk

Peter Kendall has confirmed his intention to step down as National Farmers’ Union chief in February after eight years.

He informed the NFU Council of his decision not to seek a fifth term of office as nominations open for the union’s three main elected positions.

Mr Kendall, a farmer from East Bedfordshire, said it had been a “huge privilege” to serve as NFU president for the past eight years and added that he would be leaving the union in “excellent shape”.

“Sir John Beddington’s foresight report and three global food spikes has meant that agriculture’s importance is being increasingly recognised,” he said.

“And there is still much work to do in many areas. I have always planned for this to be my final term in office but I will be leaving the NFU in excellent shape.

“There is a wealth of talent and experience out there among NFU members and so I look forward to the elections next year when they will select a new officeholder team to continue the NFU’s work representing and lobbying on behalf of our farmers and growers.”

Mr Kendall will stand down following the NFU’s annual conference next February when a new president will be elected.

He has presided over some key industry events, including the 2007 foot-and-mouth and bluetongue outbreaks, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, last year’s SOS Dairy campaign and the recent badger cull pilots in Somerset and Gloucestershire, of which he is a vocal supporter.