Wales Farmer APRIL 2014 NEWS


Food security priority for new NFU president


A PROMINENT Pem- brokeshire farmer is the new head of the country’s


biggest farming union. Meurig Raymond, of Croes-


goch, is the new president of the National


Farmers’ Union


(NFU), having held the post of deputy president for the last eight years. Mr Raymond farms 3,400


acres in north Pembrokeshire with his twin brother and their families, growing 2,200 acres of combinable crops and 300 acres of potatoes. There are 620 dairy cows, with 300 followers. The farm also has 600 head of beef cattle and around 2,500 store lambs, fattened during winter. Immediately following his election, Mr Raymond said: “I feel extremely proud to lead an organisation like the National Farmers’ Union, representing 75% of the farming industry, with 55,000 members. “Having served as deputy pres-


ident for eight years, it is a real honour and I am proud to have taken on the presidency. I am so grateful that the membership and the council have supported me in the way that they have.”


The firm favourite to succeed


the retiring Peter Kendall, who had held the post of president since 2006,MrRaymond says his priorities during his time as pres- ident will include CAP reform and its implementation, bovine TB eradication and improving competitiveness across farming. “My top priority must be food


security and getting recognition along the food supply chain of the inadequate returns to farm- ers, particularly when our farm- ers produce to the highest possi- ble standards,” he added. “Communicating with our members is fundamental. Engag- ing, listening and acting upon their concerns will be key to the NFU’s future success.” Mr Raymond is the second


Pembrokeshire farmer to take on a top role with the union, follow- ing Stephen James’ election last month as president of NFU Cymru. MrJames, a dairy farmer from


near Clynderwen, congratulated Mr Raymond and said he looks forward to working closely with his fellow county-man, while focusing on devolved issues. Elected alongside Mr Ray- mond at the NFU’s AGM and


TOP JOB: Pembroekshire farmer Meurig Raymond is the new president of the NFU.


conference in Birmingham last week were Minette Batters, a ten- ant farmer inWiltshire, as deputy


PICTURE: Wales Farmer.


president and Guy Smith, who farms a mixed farmin north east Essex, as vice-president.


Investing in serving members


NFU CYMRUis reaffirming its commitment to serving its mem- bers across Wales. Increasing business and a com- mitment to provide a personal, local service for its members and customers have led NFU Cymru to open a new office in Glamor- gan.


The new office was officially


opened by the Lord-Lieutenant of mid Glamorgan, Kate Thomas, who said: “Congratula- tions to the group secretary, Karen Yates and her team on their fantastic new office. All the staffhere are pleasant, friendly and offer a high level of service which has nowbeen compliment- ed by a high quality newoffice.” The new office is home to the


team of six qualified staff, who provide professional agricultural guidance and support to NFU Cymru members in the north Glamorgan area. In addition to this, insurance and financial serv- ices are provided to a wide range of business and personal cus- tomers within the area. Group secretary Karen Yates


said: “The new office shows our commitment to continuing to provide a high quality service to members and customers in the local area and we are keen to


CUTTING THE RIBBON: Glamorgan NFU Cymru county chairman Abi Reader; Lord-Lieutenant Kate Thomas; NFU Cymru president Stephen James; group secretary Karen Yates; and NFU Mutual area manager Marian Evans at the official opening of the new office.


showthem what we can offer.” The new office’s address is 9


Magden Park, Green Meadow, Ely Valley Road, Llantrisant, CF72 8XT. The telephone con- tact details remain the same as before themove fromLlanharan.


Also, the new president of the


NFU enjoyed a homecoming event when he opened the newly refurbished NFU Cymru offices in


Haverfordwest, Pem-


brokeshire. Local farmer Meurig Ray-


mond and Richard Percy, chair- man of NFU Mutual, officially opened Agriculture House, Haverfordwest, which has under- gone months of extensive work to make the offices more cus- tomer friendly.


For the latest Wales farming news: walesfarmer.co.uk 7


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