Mr Kendall was elected during the final session of the WFO General Assembly in Buenos Aries, Argentina, and succeeds the American, Robert Carlson.

The WFO is made up of more than 50 national farmers’ organisations and agricultural co-operatives and was formed to improve the livelihoods of farmers and the viability of rural communities as well as ensuring coherence with other agriculture related activities, such as forestry, aquaculture, the environment, trade, research and education.

NFU President Meurig Raymond, who has been attending the five-day conference, said: "I would like to congratulate Peter on his election as President of the WFO. Over the past eight years he did an outstanding job for the NFU in promoting British agriculture, not just at home, but to a worldwide audience.

"I know that in this role he will show the same effort and enthusiasm to help develop key agricultural policies, including food security, climate change and trade."