The Farmers’ Union of Wales has elected former Union President Emyr Jones as a life member of the FUW in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Union and Welsh agriculture over many years.
Mr Jones, who stood down as the FUW President following 15 years’ loyal service to the organisation at national level in June 2015, has previously received the Union’s annual internal award for his services to the agricultural industry.
The recommendation that he be made a life member was accepted unanimously by the Union’s Grand Council.
FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “I have always looked up to Emyr for the way he represented us with great dignity and forcefulness during private meetings with Government Ministers and officials and at public engagements throughout Wales during his time in office. He had a great talent for recognising the issues affecting the whole of Wales, whilst not losing sight of those closer to home. There could never be any doubt about how much Emyr cared for the industry, farming families and our rural economy. He is a true champion of farming and a true champion of the FUW.”
Emyr Jones was Meirionnydd County Chairman from 1998 to 2000 when he was elected to represent North Wales on the Union’s central finance and organisation committee.
He was elected national Vice President in 2002, Deputy President in 2003 and President in 2011.
Mr Jones is married with three children and has four grandchildren. A Welsh speaker, he was born and brought up on the family farm Rhiwaedog, Rhosygwaliau, near Bala.
The farm extends to 360 acres, with a further 400 acres of rented land, and carries a herd of 70 pedigree Welsh Black suckler cows and 1,700 breeding sheep.
Emyr Jones is a prominent member of many organisations, a deacon of his local chapel, and is a director of Meirionnydd County Show.
His contribution to agriculture was recognised when he became an Associate of the Royal Agricultural Societies, and received the honour of Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies in 2001.
Rhiwaedog has won several accolades over many years including the Royal Welsh Show Farm Buildings Facilities Award and the Snowdonia National Park Society Farming and Landscape Award.
Its main achievement was in 2008 when the farm won the British Grassland Societies National Grassland and Management competition in Wales and went forward to win the UK title.
He is passionately committed to the principles on which the FUW was established and has spoken frequently on behalf of the Union on radio and television during his time in office.
Responding to the announcement, Emyr Jones said: “I am very grateful for this acknowledgment and I consider it a great honour and privilege to be joining such an elite group.”