New UFU president highlights water pollution responsibilities
© Tim Scrivener County Derry/Londonderry suckler beef and egg producer John McLenaghan has been elected as the new president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), replacing previous incumbent William Irvine, who had held the position since May 2024.
The election followed the union’s annual general meeting held at College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise’s (Cafre’s) Loughry Campus on Thursday (30 April), and also saw County Tyrone pig and livestock farmer Glenn Cuddy re-elected as deputy president for a second term.
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New deputy president Clement Lynch, new president John McLenaghan, and returning deputy president Glenn Cuddy © UFU
He will be joined by newly elected deputy president Clement Lynch – a hill sheep farmer from County Derry/Londonderry.
Following his election as president – a position he will hold for the next two years – Mr McLenaghan told UFU council members that he was “realistic, yet optimistic” about the challenges which lie ahead.
“Together we are stronger,” he said. “We don’t all have to always agree on every single issue, but I believe we do agree on the importance of maintaining productive sustainable farming for this and the next generation.”
Water pollution
Mr McLenaghan paid particular reference to a new report from the Office for Environmental Protection on the previous (2019-2026) Nutrients Action Programme.
This report, published on Thursday (30 April), concludes that key regulations aimed at reducing pollution from agriculture “have not done enough to improve water quality, despite positive investment and efforts from farmers”.
It makes various recommendations for improvement, including more support to farmers, increased inspections (especially in relation to manure applications), and compulsory soil sampling to better understand actual “crop needs”.
“As expected, it (the report) includes some criticisms, but it also starts by acknowledging the ‘positive investment and efforts from farmers’,” Mr McLenaghan told council members.
“You are those farmers, and that acknowledgement is something you should be proud of and which should encourage us all to continue to be better.
“We are privileged to be farmers, to provide for our fellow citizens. And that privilege comes with responsibility and it also comes with opportunity.”
As well as running beef and poultry on his farm at Garvagh, Mr McLenaghan also has a wind turbine and biogas plant.
His UFU experience includes a spell as group chairman of North East Derry/Londonderry.
He has also served on the UFU board, as well as chairing the poultry and environment committees.