Nominations have been confirmed for the NFU Cymru Presidential elections, and farmers will have the opportunity to hear from candidates at hustings events across Wales in early 2018.
The farming union elects a Presidential team every two years, with members voting for a new President and Deputy President.
Current NFU Cymru President Stephen James has made the decision not to stand for re-election following two terms as President.
The NFU Cymru county structure has made its nominations, with all 11 counties nominating current NFU Cymru Deputy President John Davies to the role of President.
Mr Davies farms with his family in Merthyr Cynog, near Brecon. He is married with two children. He has 100 suckler cows, 1,000 ewes, and runs a silage contracting business and holiday accommodation.
Deputy President
A number of nominations have been received and accepted for the position of Deputy President.
The candidates will be Wyn Evans, a beef and sheep farmer from Ceredigion and current NFU Cymru Livestock Board Chairman; Aled Jones, a dairy farmer from Mid Gwynedd who recently stood down as NFU Cymru Milk Board Chairman and Hedd Pugh, a beef and sheep farmer in Meirionnydd and current NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board Chairman.
A series of hustings events will take place over the coming weeks to give the NFU Cymru membership the opportunity to question each of the respective candidates before the elections in January.
The new team will be elected in February 2018 at NFU Cymru Welsh Council.
'Pivotal time'
NFU Cymru Director John Mercer said it is a "pivotal time" for the agricultural industry, but also a "hugely exciting opportunity" to develop a new policy framework post-Brexit.
“At this important juncture it is vitally important that we have a strong leadership base to represent Welsh farmers and as a democratic organisation it is now up to our members to decide on the candidates who will lead the Union forward from 2018”, Mr Mercer explained.
“The success and strength of NFU Cymru is undoubtedly down to its ability to combine professional staff with dedicated and passionate farmers in key officeholder positions who can represent the Welsh farming industry, not only in Wales, but also in Westminster and Brussels.
“As the process for selecting the next wave of NFU Cymru officeholders is now underway I would like to thank our outgoing President, Stephen James, and pay tribute to the way he has led the industry successfully over four extremely challenging years. All of us at NFU Cymru would like to wish Stephen well for the future.”
The National Farmers' Union will also be staging elections in February, with current President Meurig Raymond standing down after eight years in the position.
