The chair of the Tenant Farmers’ Association (TFA) Cymru has become a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Dennis Matheson was given the MBE in his Majesty the King’s New Year Honours to recognise his “outstanding service” to the tenanted sector of agriculture in Wales.
TFA chief executive, George Dunn, said: “I am over the moon for Dennis. He has sacrificially volunteered his time to represent the Tenant Farmers Association in Wales over the past 12 years including as chair of TFA Cymru since 2012.
“Dennis is always prepared to go the extra mile for the TFA and for tenant farmers in Wales. His dedication to advancing the cause of the tenanted sector of agriculture knows no bounds.
“Given his remote location, his work for the TFA will often involve extremely early starts and late finishes alongside his responsibilities in running his tenanted farm.”
Dunn said the extent to which the issues impacting tenant farmers are “front and centre” in the minds of policymakers is in large part due to the sacrifice and dedication of Matheson.
Dunn said Matheson ensures that the needs of the sector are both articulated and understood.
“In all of the groups upon which Dennis volunteers to represent TFA Cymru, other group members and attendees can be in no doubt of Dennis’s commitment to ensuring that the unique circumstances of tenant farmers are fully appreciated in every policy and practical sphere,” he said.
Award
Commenting on his award, Matheson said: “I was totally astounded and delighted to learn that I was to receive an award for services to the agricultural tenanted sector in Wales.
“I am delighted to proudly accept the award on behalf of all the team at the TFA and would pay particular tribute to our chief executive, George Dunn, who has worked tirelessly since devolution to raise awareness of the unique position of those that farm nearly 30% of the land in Wales not farmed by owner occupiers.
“In addition, I would like to thank my vice chairman in Wales, Elwyn Evans, for his support, encouragement and practical input.
“It is gratifying that the Welsh government has recognised that its proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme poses particular problems for tenants and that it has been prepared to make reasonable adjustments to its proposals.”
Matheson said the TFA has also worked closely with the CLA, representing landlords in Wales, to address the same issues.
“After all, without landlords there would be no tenants and without tenants there would be no landlords,” he said.
