Pembrokeshire beef and sheep farmer, Brian Thomas, who started his farming career at the age of 15, has been recognised with the Farmers’ Union of Wales internal award for services to agriculture.
Presenting the award at the FUW president’s reception at the 100th Royal Welsh Show, president Glyn Roberts said: “Brian has been a rock-solid friend and working partner for over 20 years. He is always willing to help, support and give advice. It is fair to say that Brian is someone I could and can rely on.
“Over the years Brian has gone above and beyond in serving not just this union but the industry as a whole.
He is not afraid to ruffle a few feathers if it means farmers get a better deal, be that through leading protests or campaigning at Government level.
“It is fair to say that the industry in Wales has benefited greatly from Brian’s active lobbying and efforts to make our sector a better place for everyone involved.”
Brian Thomas is a past county chairman of the FUW in Pembrokeshire and has previously sat on the FUW’s central tenant’s committee.
He was elected as the South Wales member of the central finance and organisation committee in 2011, vice president of the FUW in 2013 and deputy president in 2015.
Brian runs a herd of 40 suckler cows and 80 followers and a sheep flock of 100 ewes as well as growing 60ac of cereals on his 280ac farm, Llwyncelyn Lan, Llanfyrnach.
During the 1996 BSE outbreak, he lead the campaign in South West Wales opposing the importation of inferior beef into Wales.
In 1997, he led a group of farmers to Tesco’s stand at the Royal Welsh Show to address them about the unfair way in which they were treating the industry and he has been a leading figure in the fight against bovine TB.
