NFU Cymru elects new president

Merionethshire beef and sheep farmer Ed Bailey has been elected unopposed as the new NFU Cymru president.

Mr Bailey, the union’s former vice-president, was elected at a meeting of the union’s council on Friday, 22 January. He succeeds Dai Davies who has held the position for four years.

Mr Bailey, who farms at Llanbedr, said that he was delighted to have the support of the membership. “I feel a tremendous amount of pride that I have the confidence of NFU Cymru and the farmers it represents,” he said.

He admitted the next two years would be challenging with issues including CAP reform, changes to the Welsh environmental support system and a radical approach to controlling bovine TB in Wales on the agenda.

The post of vice-president was hotly contested with three nominations but it was Pembrokeshire dairy farmer, Stephen James, of Gelli Olau Farm, near Narberth, who clinched the majority of votes.

He has been particularly active on issues relating to bovine TB, representing NFU Cymru on the Wales TB Action Group

There were no changes to the line-up of headquarters delegates.

Tony Burgess, of Trawscoed, Ceredigion, will continue to represent the poultry sector while arable grower Perkin Evans of Abereiddy, Pembrokeshire, remains as delegate on the combinable crops board.

Another Pembrokeshire arable producer, Walter Simon, was elected unopposed to continue as horticulture board delegate and dairy farmer David Jones of Trebersed Farm, Carmarthen, received the majority of votes as delegate on the legal assistance board.