AFTER 110 years of male domination, the National Farmers Union has elected its first female president - Minette Batters.

The beef, sheep and arable farmer from Wiltshire, takes over the role from Meurig Raymond, who was in the post for four years.

Her election was announced at the union’s annual general meeting, held in Birmingham, which she won after competing against one other opponent, Essex farmer, Guy Smith, who will now serve as her deputy, while Stuart Roberts will serve as vice-president.

Ms Batters will hold the post for two years .

In Scotland, farmers were pleased that a woman had been elected into the role, but were eager to emphasise that she had not been elected because she is a woman, but because she had earned the position.

Perthshire beef and sheep farmer, Maimie Paterson, commented: “I think it’s great that Ms Batters has been elected into this role.

"The NFU believes that a woman is more than capable of running the organisation, and I think our own union should pay attention to that.

“Minette Batters has not been elected into that position just because she is a woman,. She is there on merit and she must be good at multi-tasking anyway, as she is a very busy person.”

NFU Scotland vice-president, Martin Kennedy, of Lurgan Farm, Aberfeldy, also agreed with Ms Paterson on the means of Ms Batters’ election.

He said: “I think it’s really good that she has been elected, and we have already worked quite a bit with Ms Batters, and I believe she understands why Scotland has to work slightly differently than England and Wales.

"I also believe that she is there on merit and not just because she is a woman. I believe that without doubt we should be encouraging women to become involved in agriculture and I always say that I would certainly not be where I am without women in agriculture, particularly without my wife and three daughters.”