Tributes have been paid to the outgoing NFU president, Meurig Raymond, as he chaired his last NFU conference in the role.

The north Pembrokeshire farmer is stepping down after four years in the role, with the farmers’ union electing Minette Batters as his successor.

Ms Batters, a beef farmer from Wiltshire, has been elected for a two-year term alongside Guy Smith as deputy president and Stuart Roberts as vice-president.

The election took place after the AGM of the NFU Council, a representative body made up of its elected members, following the annual NFU Conference.

Shadow Agriculture Secretary Paul Davies said Meurig Raymond had been a “tireless voice for farmers” and warned his successor that there were “big boots to fill”.

Mr Davies said: “Meurig has been a tireless voice for farmers right across the UK, and it is much to his credit that food production is once again at the very heart of the government’s policy agenda.

“He has been an outstanding leader for farming, with an innate understanding of the challenges facing farmers right across the UK.

“I would like to wish his replacement well in driving forward UK agriculture.

“Meurig leaves the NFU at an exciting time for agriculture and with big boots to fill.”