The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has announced its newly elected leadership team today (April 30) following its annual general meeting.
The election took place at the Loughry Campus of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), with some council members participating online.
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.
McLenaghan has a suckler beef, egg enterprise, wind turbine, and biogas plant in Co. Derry.
Cuddy, who is from Donaghmore in Co. Tyrone, runs a modern birth-to-bacon sow unit, in addition to suckler cows and a pedigree and commercial sheep flock.
Lynch is a hill sheep farmer from Claudy, Co. Derry.
Guest speaker
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir was the guest speaker for the event.
He addressed the UFU council before engaging in a Q&A.
The minister confirmed bovine TB remains a top priority for him, and described the Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) stakeholder group as focused and constructive.
He also touched on other agri-issues such as climate change, the ongoing Middle East conflict, and inheritance tax.
President
Following his election as president, 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.
He said: “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.
“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.
McLenaghan thanked the council for the honour of being elected leader of the UFU.
He said: “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.”