Former Society chairman Victor Chestnutt of the Bushmills flock has been recognised with an OBE in the New Year Honours for services to agriculture.
As well as his former role with the Society Victor has in recent years played a central role in the Ulster Farmers Union, being deputy president for four years before taking on the presidency for two terms.
He said: “To be honest I’m a bit shocked. I didn’t know a thing about it, it has been a complete surprise and an honour.
“I’m an ordinary farmer. During my time at UFU, I was one who would have said what I thought needed changed.
“I spoke my mind, I give praise and criticism when I thought it was necessary. I suppose I thought that because I was known to be so outspoken I would never be put forward for something like this.”
“I take this royal honour on behalf of all farmers in Northern Ireland. Farmers kept going throughout Covid, they produced food. We don’t take Christmas Day off, we don’t take any day off, we have to keep going.
“There has been a lot of change within my time. Climate change affects everything in the sense of farmers trying to reduce carbon.
“The last two years I’ve had a fair fight politically to get what I thought was a sensible carbon bill passed in Northern Ireland.
“Although there are only about 24,000 farm businesses in Northern Ireland we feed 10m people. That has to be produced, the world is not awash with food.
“But we have to do it in a sustainable way and reduce emissions as we do.”
Also recognised in the New Year’s honours was UK chief vet Christine Middlemiss who was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).
The honour recognises Christine’s crucial role in maintaining the high standard of animal health and welfare in the UK following the country’s departure from the EU, and her significant efforts in managing the largest ever outbreak of avian influenza flu.
She has also worked closely with the Texel Sheep Society over the last 18 months on issues around the NI Protocol and movement of sheep between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Society chief executive John Yates congratulated both Victor and Christine on their honours. “It is great to see two such valued colleagues within the agricultural sector being recognised for their contribution to the industry.
“Their commitment to the future of UK agriculture is second to none.”
