A MEMBER of one of Pembrokeshire’s best-known farming families is seeking re-election as president of the NFU.

If he fights off the challenge of two other candidates on February 24, he will win his second two-year term at the head of the UK’s largest farming union.

Mr Raymond says he believes that his family originated in Herefordshire and moved to west Wales in the mid-19th century.

His grandfather, William, was one of six children and was one of the six founding members of Clynderwen Farmers – now known as CCF with 17 retail outlets across Wales and beyond and having its own purpose-built blending plant.

Meurig’s father, Andrew (born in 1897) served in the First World War.

Meurig Raymond with his son Paul, brother Mansel and nephew Nigel now operate a family business extending to some 3,000 acres in north Pembrokeshire with two large milking herds, dairy followers, beef cattle, store lambs bought in to fatten together with arable cropping of wheat, barley, oil seed rape and potatoes.

Meurig has served for many years as the NFU’s council delegate representing the Pembroke County branch and was vice-chairman of the Cereals Committee from 1996-2000, and chairman of the Audit Committee in 2002, before gaining election as vice-president in 2004, deputy president from 2006, and resident in 2014.

Heading a union with 47,000 members (plus 30,000 non-voting countryside members) has demanded a huge measure of dedication and commitment, which usually begins with travelling 200 miles to a top level meeting at the Stoneleigh head office every Monday afternoon to be followed by journeys to London or Brussels for further meetings and discussions from time to time with the other NFU leaders in the UK, EU Commission in Strasbourg and sessions of the European Parliament.

His working week dealing with union matters usually (but not always) means that he will not get back home until late on a Friday evening and then spend the weekend catching up on his own business matters and also being actively involved in a measure of practical farming.

Also seeking election will be his deputy for the last two years Minette Batters from the West Country, and Alistair Mackintosh of Cumbria who is a former national livestock committee chairman.

Ahead of the NFU annual meeting and conference to be held in Birmingham on February 23-24, Meurig said: “It has been an huge honour to have served as NFU president for the past two years. As the union continues to represent members at all levels of agriculture I consider that the EU referendum will be the biggest issue over the next two years and I feel well-placed to lead us through this process.

“Being actively involved with other members of my family in a mixed farming enterprise I am acutely aware of the very low returns currently being received.

“I consider it morally wrong that the farming industry has to carry the full risk factor and my passion is for further recognition along the food supply chain to enhance profitability, as is rolling out the TB eradication strategy, simplifying the CAP and delivering the public food procurement plan.

“I shall also persistently hold government to account with industry issues and will continue to listen and engage with members to set policy and I have the passion, enthusiasm and motivation to achieve our objectives.

“Finally, there is the exciting transition to come with Terry Jones taking over the post of our new director general from April. The farming industry is seeing great challenges and I firmly believe that Terry is the right person to lead the NFU.

“Terry has always understood that members are the strength of our union and I am confident that the skill, passion and drive he will bring to the role will ensure we are in a very strong position, now and in the future. I shall very much look forward to working with him.”