THE role that young people living in the countryside can play has 'never been greater', according to a Herefordshire Young Farmer who has been elected chairman of Rural Youth Europe (RYE).

Russell Carrington, a former chairman of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) AGRI Steering Group, was elected as chairman at RYE’s General Assembly in Belfast on August 4.

He was elected having run unopposed and will hold the position of chairman for two years, taking over from Lukas Halfenstein from Switzerland.

Founded in 1957, RYE functions as an umbrella for youth organisations working to promote and activate young people in the countryside.

It provides international training possibilities and works as an intermediary between national organisations, youth organisations and public institutions on a European level.

Today, RYE represents 500,000 young people across 18 countries and 20 member organisations, including NFYFC.

Mr Carrington already has big plans to help young people living in rural areas across Europe.

He said: "I am extremely honoured and proud to be elected for this position.

"I am very grateful to all those who have helped me to achieve this – NFYFC, my employers the Pasture-Fed Livestock Association, the Henry Plumb foundation, my friends and family, and many more.

“In our fast-changing political and economic environment, I believe that the role that young people from the countryside can play has never been greater.

"Rural Youth Europe aims to bring such people together for sharing, learning, inter-cultural exchange and to foster peer to peer support."

During his time as chairman, Mr Carrington wants to widen the reach of the organisation so it can positively influence the lives of even more young people across Europe.

"I also want to strengthen the values of those people and to demonstrate the importance of multicultural cooperation,” he added.

More information about Rural Youth Europe can be found at ruralyoutheurope.com