UFU announce new leadership team

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) have elected a new leadership team at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was conducted as a drive-in event at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Lisburn on Saturday.

County Antrim livestock farmer Victor Chestnutt, was voted in as president for two years and David Brown was re-elected as deputy president for a second term. He will be joined by newly elected deputy president William Irvine, from Co. Armagh.

The new president thanked the UFU membership for their ongoing support and dedication to producing high-quality food for the nation, creating 100,000 jobs in Northern Ireland (NI) in the process. He commended the great work of outgoing president Ivor Ferguson and thanked the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister, Edwin Poots MLA and the Chairperson of the Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, Declan McAleer MLA, for their participation in the AGM.

Speaking of the challenges that lay ahead, Mr Chestnutt said: “It is an honour and privilege to lead this organisation during this time and to follow so many leaders who have worked tirelessly for Northern Ireland farmers. I do not underestimate the responsibility and importance of decisions that lie ahead as we face a new dawn with Brexit, a new agriculture policy, climate change, ammonia, north/south protocols, east/west protocols and worldwide trade deals alongside COVID-19. Our members have my wholehearted commitment to leaving no stone unturned in my effort to lead this organisation as the hand of history will look back on this juncture in our amazing agriculture industry.”

Mr Chestnutt addressed the crucial development of a new agriculture policy and environmentally friendly farming.