A motion to withdraw the bar area of a pub as an appropriate meeting space for YFC business meetings was overturned.
Katie Davies of Pembrokeshire YFC, who proposed the motion, said members aged 18 or under should be able to ‘feel entitled and able to give their opinions’ and that older members had a duty of care.
She was clear that the crux of the motion was not that YFC meetings could not take place in a pub, but that the main bar area was not appropriate.
The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) has already enforced a similar rule and some members said it would help with YFC’s negative connotations of drinking.
Ms Davies said: “Is the bar area really the best place to bring those junior members?”
Suggestions were given such as local village halls or pub function rooms, but objections from the floor highlighted funding would be an issue and that, often, YFCs were the only people in rural pubs.
Northumberland farmer Daniel Graham added: “The local village hall would cost me £22.50 per night, and I know which local enterprise I would rather support.”