The new next generation policy forum elects Welsh Chairman

The NFU’s Next Generation Policy Forum (NGPF) has elected William Lawrence, from Pembrokeshire, to serve as its first chairman.

He was elected by a ballot of the 16 members of the NGPF, and will be the first leader of the new, ground-breaking forum.

Mr Lawrence is 31 and runs a dairy, beef and arable farm partnership with his parents in Pembrokeshire. He studied agricultural business management at Wye College, and worked as an agricultural consultant for six years. He then worked in the economics team at NFU headquarters for a year before returning to the family farm. He also currently represents YFC Wales on NFU Cymru’s Milk Board.

William said, ’It is a great privilege to have been given the opportunity to chair the NGPF and I am very much looking forward to my term of office, working with an enthusiastic group.

’The creation of this forum will provide more of a voice to the next generation of NFU members in England and Wales and also gives us an invaluable opportunity to experience how the NFU functions, particularly the vital lobbying work that it does.

’I’m sure that all members of the forum are relishing the opportunity of participating in this process, providing their views and opinions on a range of farming issues which could help influence policy during what is an exciting and challenging period for the agricultural industry.’

Rhodri Jones, a beef and sheep farmer from Llanuwchllyn, Bala also represents Wales on the Forum. The two vice chairman positions will be announced later this month, and the next official meeting with the elected members is scheduled for May 2012.