Three months after it was forced to postpone its annual general meeting (AGM) due to coronavirus restrictions, the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has confirmed that the event will now take place on Saturday 25 July.

To allow social distancing, it will take the form of a drive-in event at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Lisburn, with the main speakers confirmed as Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots and chair of the Stormont Agriculture Committee Declan McAleer.

The AGM is attended by UFU council members, who are essentially a collection of county committee representatives, plus any remaining members of the UFU executive or board.

Elections

There are approximately 600 members of the council and it is their role at the AGM to elect the UFU presidential team.

With current UFU president Ivor Ferguson standing down after over two years in the role, he is set to be replaced by his deputy Victor Chestnutt.

That leaves three people to contest the two deputy roles. That includes David Brown, who has already served two years as deputy president, and is almost certain to be re-elected.

So, in effect, two are in the running for the remaining post – Dungiven farmer Ian Buchanan and Markethill farmer William Irvine.

The ballot at the AGM is held in secret and only those who turn up can vote. But in recognition that not all council members might want to go to the AGM this year, it will be possible for members to watch and vote using a virtual platform.

It is also understood that anyone will be able to follow the proceedings online.

At the event, Victor Chestnutt will make his first address as UFU president, when he will set out his vision for the next two years.

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