Elections took place at NFU’s headquarters in Stoneleigh and also saw Cheshire farmer Mike Bailey re-elected as vice chairman for turkeys. James Hook, from Oxfordshire, was elected as vice-chairman for broilers and Keith Henderson, from Newcastle, as vice-chairman for eggs.

Mr Priestner said: “I am delighted to have been elected to the position and look forward to leading on the key issues and representing the interests of poultry members over the next two years. Charles Bourns has done a fantastic job in raising the profile of the industry and the board and I will continue to build on that success. There are many issues to tackle including planning, consumer perception of large-scale farming and imbalance of supply in the egg sector to name just a few.

“We have a fantastic board and I plan to draw on all the knowledge and skills that these members have to ensure that we deliver real benefits for NFU members’ businesses.”

Mr Priestner runs two sites in Warburton, South Manchester, and has been involved in the family business for 26 years. He has been with the NFU since 1985 and has represented the organisation by appearing on television programmes such as Countryfile, Newsround and The One Show. He also sits on the BEIC Council and the BEMB Trust.