GARETH VAUGHAN RE-ELECTED AS FUW PRESIDENT

Powys farmer Gareth Vaughan was re-elected with a handsome majority for the seventh successive time as president of the Farmers' Union of Wales during the union's grand council meeting in Aberystwyth this afternoon (Monday, June 14).

"I'm delighted to be re-elected as president once again and I look forward to driving forward the aims and ambitions of the FUW for another year in what is expected to be a challenging time for the industry as the Common Agricultural Policy is reviewed," he said.

"The past year has been yet another busy time for the Union in terms of representing members' interests in discussions with organisations and politicians at all levels.

"Our dairy industry has faced a difficult period over the past twelve months, due to a fall in milk prices and the collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain, but the favourable Euro-Sterling exchange rate has had a significant positive impact on livestock prices and Single Payments.

"However, the current financial climate is still a cause for major concern and all eyes are now on the new UK Coalition Government.

"But in Wales the idea of such co-operation is not new, as devolution has forced parties from across the political spectrum, whether in Government or opposition, to work together to tackle major issues and moves such as the Welsh bTB Eradication Programme stand as testament to the way in which cross-party co-operation can lead to a mature consensus over matters of importance."

Born in Llanidloes in 1941, Mr Vaughan attended Manledd Primary and Llanidloes High Schools. He left at the age of 15 to work on the family farm, and joined Llangurig Young Farmers Club where his interests included public speaking and drama.

He runs a traditional beef and sheep unit at Cwmyrhiewdre Farm, Dolfor, near Newtown, in partnership with his wife of over 40 years, Audrey, and 12 years ago his daughter Catherine and son-in-law Brian joined the business.

Over the years the family has carried out extensive improvements, with shelter belts, new buildings, land drainage and farm road layouts. Some 2,000 metres of new hedgerow has been planted with the aid of grants from Radnor ESA.

Other hedge improvements were undertaken with the assistance of the Countryside Council for Wales.

Mr Vaughan has been an active member of the FUW for many years. He was chairman of the Newtown branch in 1988-89 and Montgomeryshire county chairman from 1991-93.

He has represented the county on the union's grand council and land use and parliamentary committee, the British Wool Marketing Board, the Meat and Livestock Commission liaison committee and the Agricultural Dwellinghouse Committee.

He was elected as the north Wales member of the FUW's national finance and organisation committee in 1998 before being elected vice president in 2000, deputy president in June 2002 and president in June 2003.

Mr Vaughan places great importance on supporting the local community and is involved with his local agricultural show, new hall committee and other local charities.

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