NFU Cymru has unanimously elected Cardiff dairy farmer Abi Rieder as its new chairman as the union prepares for a year of major policy changes and important politics for Welsh agriculture.
Mr Rieder will be supported by Paul Williams, a livestock farmer from Nebo, Kwid, who has been elected vice-president.
Both appointments were confirmed at a meeting of the NFU Cymru Council held in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday 20 January.
Ms Rieder is a third-generation farmer and runs a mixed dairy, sheep and arable operation with her parents and uncle at Goldland Farm near Wenvoe.
She is widely known for her work promoting food and agriculture to the public and young people, both as co-founder of the Cows on Tour initiative and through her regular engagement with schools.
A former NFU Cymru Wales Woman Farmer of the Year, she was awarded an MBE in 2019 for her contribution to agriculture.
Ms Rieder has been involved with NFU Cymru since 2012 and has held a number of senior positions within the union, including county chair and dairy committee chair. For the past four years, she has served as vice president.
She takes over from outgoing president Aled Jones, who chose not to stand for re-election after a long and distinguished tenure.
In his speech following his election, Mr Rieder said he recognized the challenges facing the sector.
“I am honored to have been elected by my fellow farmers as the new president of NFU Shimul,” she said. “Leading the industry at a time of great change is a huge responsibility, but I am ambitious about the opportunities for Welsh agriculture in the coming years.”
He said a key priority is navigating the new policy framework. “The long-awaited Sustainable Agriculture Plan will be implemented this year,” she said.
“NFU Cymru has been at the forefront of the scheme design process in recent years, and although the scheme has changed significantly since its earliest iterations, we believe there is still work to be done.”
Mr Leader said he was committed to working with the Welsh Government and industry partners to improve the system where necessary.
She also highlighted the broader political context. “In addition to the changing policy landscape, there are also significant political changes on the horizon, with elections for a new Senedd on the horizon,” she said.
New vice-president Paul Williams farms beef and sheep with his wife Dwynwen and their three children at Cay Hyde, near Llanrwst.
He has been a member of NFU Cymru for more than 20 years and previously served as Kwyd county committee chair, an experience the union says will be important in continuing its lobbying efforts on behalf of farmers.
Mr Williams was closely involved in organizing an exhibition of 5,500 pairs of Wellington boots on the outskirts of the Senedd in 2023, highlighting farmers’ concerns about the Welsh Government’s sustainable farming framework at the time.
Once elected, Williams said his focus will be on representing the interests of members.
“It is an honor to be selected for this role within this great organization,” he said. “I can’t wait to work with Abi, the wider membership and the expert staff at NFU Cymru to tackle the issues that matter most to farmers in Wales.”
He said the future of agriculture for the next generation was an important motivation.
“As a father of children who aspire to pursue a career in agriculture myself, I want to ensure that the next generation can take this industry even further,” he said.
Williams also pointed to ongoing challenges. “Ongoing issues such as bovine tuberculosis, the legal burden of the Welsh Government’s water quality regulations and concerns about milk prices continue to plague farmers across the country,” he said.
He added that effective representation is essential. “As farmers, it is critical that we speak about these issues with one strong collective voice in order to bring about change,” he said.
With major policy reforms underway and the Senedd election approaching, the new NFU Cymru leadership team will play a central role representing Welsh farmers in discussions with governments including Cardiff Bay and Westminster.
