Abi Reader elected new president of NFU Cymru

Ms Reader is a third-generation farmer, farming dairy, sheep and arable at Goldsland Farm in partnership with her parents and uncle in Wenvoe, just outside Cardiff. 

A passionate advocate for promoting food and farming to the next generation and the wider public, she is a co-founder of the Cows on Tour movement and regularly engages with schoolchildren both on farms and in classrooms.  

Ms Reader was announced NFU Cymru Wales Woman Farmer of the Year, and she was also honoured by the Queen with an MBE in 2019 for her services to agriculture. 

The new NFU Cymru president first became involved with NFU Cymru in 2012, taking up a vacancy for the position of NFU Cymru vice county chair just six months later.

During her time in the union, she served as NFU Cymru Glamorgan county chair and NFU Cymru dairy board chair, and for the past four years has held the role of NFU Cymru deputy president.

Ms Reader replaces outgoing NFU Cymru president Aled Jones, who decided not to stand for re-election after a long and distinguished career with the union. 

Opportunities for Welsh agriculture 

Speaking on her aspirations for her time as president of NFU Cymru, Ms Reader said: “I am honoured to have been elected as the new president of NFU Cymru by my farming peers.  

“It is a huge responsibility leading our industry in a period of considerable change, but I am ambitious about the opportunities for Welsh agriculture in the years ahead. I’m also eager to build on the important work of our fantastic outgoing president Aled Jones and those who have gone before him.” 

The new NFU Cymru president explained that this year sees the implementation of the long-awaited Sustainable Farming Scheme.  

“NFU Cymru has been at the forefront of the scheme design process in recent years, and although the scheme has transformed considerably since its early iterations, we still think there is work to do. I am committed to working with the Welsh Government and partners across the industry to fine-tune this scheme where we believe change is needed,” she added. 

Political change 

Ms Reader said that in addition to the changing policy landscape, the industry also has considerable political change on the horizon with elections for Senedd fast approaching.  

“NFU Cymru is committed to working with the new Welsh Government and MSs across all parties to help realise our ambitions for Welsh farming and deliver the outcomes Welsh farmers need to drive their businesses forward,” she concluded. 

New NFU Cymru deputy president Paul Williams farms livestock at Cae Haidd, Nebo, near Llanrwst, in partnership with his wife, Dwynwen, and their three children.  

Mr Williams has been an active NFU Cymru member for over 20 years and has previously served as NFU Cymru Clwyd County Chairman.  

He was instrumental in the iconic display of 5,500 pairs of wellingtons laid outside the Senedd in 2023 to show the industry’s opposition to the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme framework at the time. 

‘One strong, collective voice’ 

Speaking after his election, Mr Williams said: “It is an honour to have been elected to this role within this great organisation. I can’t wait to work with Abi, the wider membership and NFU Cymru’s professional staff to deliver on the issues that matter most to farmers in Wales.  

“As a father with children who are eager to pursue a career in farming themselves, I’m driven to ensure that the next generation is able to push this industry further forward. 

“The upcoming changes that we face politically and policy-wise are well documented; however, there is also still the day job to be done. Ongoing issues such as bovine TB, the legislative burden of the Welsh Government’s water quality regulations and concerns over milk price continue to trouble farmers across the country. 

“As farmers it’s so important that we speak with one strong, collective voice on these issues to deliver change, which is why the effective lobbying of NFU Cymru is so important. I can’t wait to play my part in this lobbying, whether that’s in Cardiff Bay, Westminster or further afield, and do everything I can to make a difference for farmers throughout Wales,” Mr Williams concluded. 

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