Last week’s annual conference organised by the Pembroke County branch of the National Farmers Union was addressed by the Union’s director general, Terry Jones.

Held at the Nantyffin Motel, Llandissilio, a representative gathering of members heard Mr. Jones confirm that the NFU remains in very good shape with excellent finances and staff stability.

The strategy was to continue to build upon already excellent relations with the NFU’s of Scotland and Northern Ireland and, improving connectivity, over the past year bi-lateral talks have also been held with farming leaders across many European countries.

He considered the NFU to shaping up well and, having invested heavily to bring in the best brains to deal with the implications of Brexit and the way forward.

Also, to promote significant areas, the knowledge and skills readily available in Stoneleigh and at Wales level would ensure the best leadership essential in finding long-term solutions.

The other half of the equation is to support all those very willing elected members who continue to promote the aims of the Union from grass roots to the much greater role that it plays in the bigger picture.

In terms of economic strength, some 60,000 are actively involved in the industry in Wales alone but, taking the food chain as a whole, 3.9 million jobs now depend on this sector in the UK.

In the wider scheme of things, the NFU is always punching above its weight and putting the industry on the map yet figures - which the Treasury do not like publicised - indicate that for every £ the Government spends on agriculture it gets £7.4 in return.

Welsh born Mr Jones - who has always spent most of his family holidays in Pembrokeshire - claimed that the Union has access to all significant information at the highest levels and would seek to continually unlock the potential of our agriculture and the food industry.

Responding to questions, he said that of NVZ (nitrate vulnerable zone) issues here was a superb example of an industry taking charge of its problems and finding a solution to move forward.

With regards to encouraging new members, it became clear that introducing a Next Generation Board was proving a huge success and this was something that would readily be further built upon.

In thanking the speaker, Jeff Evans, County branch chairman, congratulated Mr. Jones on recently being balloted as the most influential figure in the UK agriculture industry today.

John Davies, a beef and sheep farmer from Merthyr Cynog, Brecon, was introduced as the new president on the NFU in Wales having succeeded local member, Stephen James, earlier in the week. Elected to the role of deputy president for the next two years is Aled Jones, a dairy farmer from Caernarvon.

The Davies family, John, wife Menna with two children - Sioned (a student at an agricultural college) and Brychan -they run a 100 cow suckler herd, 1,000 breeding ewes together with a silage contracting business and also provide holiday accommodation.

John paid high tribute to his predecessor, outgoing president Stephen James, for his hard work on behalf of the industry over the course of his four year term.

He added that his own priorities during his term in office would be to ensure that the Welsh agricultural industry gets a good deal out of Brexit, tackling bovine TB, addressing water quality in Wales, holding retailers to account on food labelling and ensuring a fair price for everyone in the food chain and also creating greater opportunities for the next generation of young farmers in Wales.

Calling on members for their full support he added “I am looking forward to the task of leading the Union over what is sure to be a challenging time for the agricultural industry in Wales as the UK negotiates its departure from the European Union. There is no time to waste and I can assure members and the wider industry that we will be doing everything in our power to champion the industry and lobby with politicians in Cardiff Bay, Westminster and Brussels to ensure the best future for Welsh farming.”

Sarah Raymond, agricultural manager of HSBC - who sponsored the Conference -emphasised its commitment to the farming sector and ensured that it was open for business to meet the needs of all clients.

The W. Rees Owen memorial prize, presented each year by the County branch of the NFU to encourage agricultural students to achieve greater success, was awarded this year to Ieuan Harries, 21, of Cilauwen, Letterston.

The elder son of Paul and Angharad Harries, Ieuan is a part time student at the University of Wales Trinity St. Davids Gelli Aur campus reading for a foundation degree in agriculture and, having completed five years, is presently pursuing the first year for an honours degree.

A former scholar at Preseli Secondary School, Ieuan is a talented musician and, as an active member of Fishguard Young Farmers Club, has also won public speaking competitions at county, Wales and national level. A newly-elected member of the North Pembrokshire Grassland Society, he plays an essential role within the work force on the family’s 400 acre mainly dairy farm.

Jeff Evans, NFU County branch chairman presented Ieuan with his prize which was given on the recommendation of his senior lecturer, David Davies.