The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has announced their newly elected leadership team today (April 30th) following its Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The election took place at CAFRE’s Loughry Campus, with some council members participating online and Garvagh farmer, John McLenaghan, was voted in as president for two years. Glenn Cuddy was re-elected as deputy president for a second term, and he will be joined by newly elected deputy president Clement Lynch.
Guest speaker, DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir, addressed the UFU Council before engaging in a Q&A. He confirmed bovine TB remains a top priority for him, described the NAP Stakeholder group as focused and constructive and touched on other agri issues such as climate change, the ongoing war in Iran and inheritance tax.
Following his election as president, John McLenaghan addressed UFU Council members, stating, “Together we are stronger. We don’t all have to always agree on every single issue, but I believe we do agree on the importance of maintaining productive sustainable farming for this and the next generation. We must agree that we are only as strong as we are united, the more division there is the more weakness there is.”
The new president shared that he is realistic about the challenges which lie ahead, yet optimistic.
“This morning the Office for Environmental Protection launched its report on the previous NAP programme which ran from 2019 to now and its effect on water quality,” he said.
“As expected, it includes some criticisms, but it also starts by acknowledging the ‘positive investment and efforts from farmers’.
“You are those farmers and that acknowledgement is something you should be proud of and which should encourage us all to continue to be better.
“We are privileged to be farmers, to provide for our fellow citizens. And that privilege comes with responsibility and it also comes with opportunity.”
Mr McLenaghan thanked Council for the honour of being elected leader of the UFU.
“There has never been a better time to be president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union and I look forward to working alongside you over the coming years.”
