The Farmers’ Union of Wales has honoured former FUW President Emyr Jones with the Union’s internal award for services to agriculture to thank him for all he has done for the industry.
Mr Jones stood down as the FUW President following 15 years’ loyal service to the organisation at national level in June 2015.
He 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.
Presenting the award on the Wednesday night of the Royal Welsh Show (July 20) at the FUW President’s reception, current Union President Glyn Roberts said: “I wholeheartedly thank Emyr for everything he has done for the FUW, the agricultural industry and our Welsh economy. We are indebted to our former president for his leadership and all he has contributed over the years.”
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 . He also holds the role of Meirionnydd County Show President this year.
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 has spoken frequently on behalf of the union on radio and television during his time in office.
Speaking about the award, Emyr Jones said: “It’s an honour to be presented with the award this evening.
“I enjoyed myself during my time in office and being President of the FUW for 4 years was an honour.
“I have made many friends over the years, who will undoubtedly be friends for life.
“Farming and the years in front of us are very challenging. We need this Union now more than ever and we need an Assembly Government that is 100 percent behind our industry.
“Our young farmers are as efficient and business minded as they have ever been - but they need support. Many years ago it was easier to make a profit than it is now; the margins couldn’t be tighter - so this government has to support the industry.
“One way of doing that is to deal with the issue of bovine TB so ensure that nothing can put future trade deals in jeopardy and with that the survival our Welsh family farms and rural economy.”