AS a dairy farmer who has experienced first hand the devastating impact of bovine TB on his business, Stephen James is clear in his priorities as he enters his next term at NFU Cymru president.

Mr James, who has been re-elected for two years, says the control of bovine TB will sit alongside other important issues including unpaid Basic Payment Scheme payments, securing Rural Development Programme funds for farmers and the UK’s referendum on an exit from Europe at the top of the union’s list of priorities.

“The badger vaccination programme in Pembrokeshire has come to an abrupt halt because of a shortage of the vaccine but the Welsh Government has four years’ worth of data and should be able to come to a conclusion on how effective this approach has been,’’ says Mr James, who farms near Narberth with his wife, Joyce, and son, Daniel.

“Perhaps it is time to look at the English model of pilot culls or indeed southern Ireland, a country that has been very reactive in removing badgers.’’

With hundreds of Welsh farmers still awaiting their Basic Payment Scheme entitlement, Mr James says pressing the government to make these payments is NFU Cymru’s immediate priority.

“Too many farmers have not received any payment at all and even those who have been paid are waiting for their final 20%. It’s not just farmers who are suffering but the whole rural economy.’’

Although there are many challenges ahead, Mr James says he is delighted with his re-election. “It’s a great job and it has been a great experience meeting not only farmers but people outside the industry too.’’

While he is attending to union business, the farm is in the capable hands of his son, Daniel. “I’m a part-timer at the moment!’’ Mr James admits.

Deputy NFU Cymru president, John Davies, was also re-elected. Mr Davies is married with two children and farms beef and sheep with his family in Merthyr Cynog, near Brecon.

He has 100 suckler cows, 1,000 ewes, and runs a silage contracting business and holiday accommodation.

He is also Wales YFC finance chairman, club leader of his local Pontfaen YFC and a community councillor.