A FORMER Farmers’ Union of Wales president from Bala has been made a life member of the union in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the union and Welsh agriculture over many years.

Emyr Jones, who stood down as the FUW president following 15 years’ loyal service to the organisation at national level in June 2015, has previously received the union’s annual internal award for his services to the agricultural industry.

The recommendation that he be made a life member was accepted unanimously by the Union’s Grand Council.

FUW president Glyn Roberts said: “I have always looked up to Emyr for the way he represented us with great dignity and forcefulness during private meetings with Government Ministers and officials and at public engagements throughout Wales during his time in office.

“He had a great talent for recognising the issues affecting the whole of Wales, whilst not losing sight of those closer to home. There could never be any doubt about how much Emyr cared for the industry, farming families and our rural economy. He is a true champion of farming and a true champion of the FUW.”

Emyr Jones was Meirionnydd county chairman from 1998 to 2000 when he was elected to represent north Wales on the union’s central finance and organisation committee.

He was elected national vice president in 2002, deputy president in 2003 and president in 2011.

Mr Jones is married with three children and has four grandchildren. A Welsh speaker, he was born and brought up on the family farm Rhiwaedog, Rhosygwaliau, near Bala.

The farm extends to 360 acres, with a further 400 acres of rented land, and carries a herd of 70 pedigree Welsh Black suckler cows and 1,700 breeding sheep.

Read the full story in Thursday’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News