HE?S plucky and he?s popular but after 30 years one of the best known farming faces in the South West is calling it a day.
NFU leading light Paul Cooper, who has won countless disputes, principally on behalf of poultry farmers, and battles with bureaucracy, has decided to take early retirement in April at the age of 55.
Paul, who has lived at Inwardleigh for the past 25 years, started as assistant poultry advisor in 1974, became regional poultry secretary and subsequently South West poultry advisor.
More recently he had also taken on the role of policy adviser in Cornwall and food and farming adviser with special responsibility for livestock.
Described by his colleagues as tenacious and terrier-like, Paul has saved or won millions of pounds for NFU members, particularly as a result of Newcastle Disease hitting poultry in the South West and the foot and mouth epidemic.
He has also been heavily involved in the NFU?s Chicken and Egg campaign and other initiatives to educate the consumer about where their food comes from.
He said: ?We visit a lot of shows and other events throughout the year educating the consumer and we like to start with the young ones.
?I remember one little lad from Birmingham visiting our chicken and egg stand and watching the eggs being graded. He turned and said to me, ?How does the machine make these eggs!??
Paul said his job had been rewarding but also hard work and 60/70 hour weeks were taking their toll.
?It is a job for a younger man and I need to recharge my batteries,? said the first ever recipient of the Maurice Millard Award for the Poultry Personality of the Year in 1991.
?I have enjoyed all the disputes and litigations which have resulted in farmers getting money and aspects of the jobs which involve farmers working together,? added Paul.
?Farmers have always focused on production and not marketing and it is time they promoted themselves ? with schemes like the farmers? markets that process is beginning but there is still a long way to go.?
South West regional NFU director Anthony Gibson said: ?Paul has become a legend in his own lifetime for his unremitting commitment to the cause.
?We will miss his encyclopaedic knowledge of poultry ? shared with the public at countless shows ? and his ever chirpy presence in the office.
?We will be appointing a successor as soon as possible, but we can?t pretend that anyone could quite fill his shoes. When God made Paul Cooper, he threw away the mould.?