[caption id="attachment_6239" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] FUW Anglesey County Chairman Tegwyn Jones, FUW Anglesey County Executive Officer Heidi V Williams, FUW President Glyn Roberts, FUW Senior Policy Officer Hazel Wright, Hub Cymru Africa representative Bran Devey and Lis Perkins of Fair Trade Wales[/caption]

A Fair Trade Big Breakfast has been organised by the Anglesey branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales in support of the National Fair Trade campaign “Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers!”. The breakfast was held on Wednesday, March 9 at Cartio Môn Karting, Bodedern and was attended by over 50 farmers and raised £600 for the British Heart Foundation Cymru.

Joining the breakfast were representatives of Fair Trade Wales, FUW President Glyn Roberts who talked about fair prices for Welsh Farmers and FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright provided an update on climate change and how it has affected Welsh farming.

In 2008 Wales became the first ever “Fair Trade Nation” and the FUW announced its support for Fair Trade at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in December that year.Since then the FUW has been working closely with Fair Trade Wales to highlight the need for farmers all over the world to get paid a fair price so that food security can be achieved across the globe.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “While our produce and farming methods are on the one hand extremely different, there are many similarities between our major issues of concern.
“Despite our differences, the principle that a farmer should receive a fair price for his produce transcends international boundaries, and is one that we should all support, whether as individuals or as organisations – and this principle should also extend to procurement by public bodies.”

Brân Devey of Hub Cymru Africa who attended the event on behalf of Fair Trade Wales said: “It was great to see the support for Fairtrade by the farmers at the breakfast during Fairtrade fortnight.

“By choosing both locally sourced and Fairtrade products you are able to support food producers locally and internationally.
“Fair trade doesn’t just mean a better price for us as farmers, choosing fair trade means choosing a better environment, sustainable growth, education and much more.”

The FUW believes Welsh farmers who want a fair price for their lambs in the market should also want a fair price for coffee farmers in other countries.

FUW Anglesey County Executive Officer Heidi V Williams, who organised the Fair Trade Big Breakfast, said: “I would like to thank all our members, staff and guests who supported the event. It demonstrates the Union backing of this worthwhile national campaign on a local level and highlighted the issues facing the industry and the importance that farmers are paid a fair price for their produce.

“I must also of course thank all those attended for helping to raise such a great amount of money for BHF Cymru.”

[caption id="attachment_6231" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Exploring the farm are Nimrod Wambette and Kath Shaw[/caption]

What do a coffee farmer from Uganda and a deer farmer from Brecon have in common? At first thought it might seem that these two types of farming couldn’t be further apart.

The similarities in challenges that they each face are however not so different - for starters both coffee plants and deer need shade from the sun to flourish.

Opening the gates to her farm to explore these similarities and differences was FUW Brecon and Radnor County Chairman Kath Shaw, who runs a 75 acres deer farm at Blaenhow farm, Llandeilo Graban, Builth Wells.

Joining her for the day was Ugandan Fairtrade coffee farmer Nimrod Wambette.

As part of Fairtrade Fortnight the two discussed the different styles of farming practises over a cup of fresh Arabica coffee grown by Nimrod and a Venison sausage bap made from Kath’s home reared deer.

What became clear during their talk was that both wanted to see a fair price for their product, a thriving economy, the recognition of women in the industry and an industry that treats their producers with the respect and support they deserve.

Kath farms about 45 home-bred breeding hinds just outside of Builth Wells. She, was born and grew up near London and whilst she did not come from a farming background, Kath was always encouraged to be outside.

In the autumn of 2004 Kath and her parents Fran and Kingsley Shaw, who were looking for a retirement project, bought Blaenhow farm, Llandeilo Graban.

A field was quickly fenced and the first 12 hinds were introduced soon afterwards. Sadly, Kath’s father was killed in a car accident the following spring after completing the conversion of existing buildings to suitable winter accommodation for the deer.

The herd which includes two breeding stags, is run in two groups, and Kath shares her farming duties with a job as administrative assistant at the FUW’s Brecon and Radnor county office on the Royal Welsh Showground at Llanelwedd.

All the venison animals are sold live to the Welsh Venison Centre in Bwlch and slaughtered in Talgarth. The meat is then distributed to local pubs, restaurants and shops or sold through the Welsh Venison Centre farm shop.

[caption id="attachment_6232" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Getting a closer look at the deer – FUW South Wales Finance and Organisation Committee Delegate Brian Bowen, Fair Trade Wales National Co-ordinator Elen Jones, Nimrod Wambette and Kath Shaw[/caption]

Following the visit Kath said: “While our produce and farming methods are on the one hand extremely different, there are many similarities between major issues of concern.

“Despite our differences, the principle that a farmer should receive a fair price for his produce transcends international boundaries, and is one that we should all support, whether as individuals or as organisations.

“Obviously, Welsh farmers do not grow tea, coffee and spices and that’s one reason why the FUW has linked up with Fair Trade Wales to support the key message: ‘If you can’t buy local produce, buy Fairtrade produce’.

“It was really interesting to hear how much Nimrod is also doing for women in farming and some of the problems they are facing in Uganda are similar to what I have had to deal with in the past with regards to prejudice - being a female farmer.

“It is all about making a difference, step by step. Following this principle recognises ways of supporting small scale producers – whether in Developing Nations or right here in Wales. The FUW believes Welsh farmers who want a fair price for their produce should also want a fair price for coffee farmers in other countries.”

[caption id="attachment_6233" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Coming round the kitchen table to explore the different farming methods are Kath Shaw, FUW South Wales Finance and Organisation Committee Delegate Brian Bowen, Fair Trade Wales National Co-ordinator Elen Jones, Fran Shaw and Nimrod Wambette[/caption]

Nimrod Wambette, who is in his late 50s and married with 7 children, shared his story and pointed out all the good being part of the Fair Trade has to offer.

He is the son of a peasant farmer who has lived and grown coffee all his life at the foothills of Mt. Elgon in Eastern Uganda. His father, 88, had three small coffee gardens from which he raised school fees for their education.

He has a Bachelor of Education degree and is a retired headmaster and a part time Arabica coffee farmer. He is a member of the Konokoyi Growers’ Cooperative Society, his local cooperative, and of the Gumutindo Coffee Cooperative Enterprise, their larger regional cooperative. He is currently the chair of Cafe Direct Producers Foundation UK.

Gumutindo means undisputed quality of pure washed Arabica coffee of high density and distinctive cup. It is medium roasted to deliver citrus sweet flavour.

He explained the growing process and said: “It goes through an elaborate garden management free of chemicals, selective harvesting, and careful processing before delivery.

“Since joining the Fairtrade family, the horizon for us small farmers looks brighter with each harvest. The benefits include a price which is shielded from falling below $1.21, and a social premium for economic and social projects which benefit all people who live in the coffee growing areas.”

Examples of what the Fairtrade premium gets spent on include community roads, school furniture contribution, mosquito nets and treatment to selected homesteads, footbridge timber across streams between ridges, etc...
“Through adherence to Fairtrade generic standards and farming practices which emphasize organic manure and environmental awareness, we are contributing to a solution to climate change in a small way.

“Democratic practices are also entrenched with accountability on the lips of every member farmer. The FAIRTRADE movement is a movement of trade with responsibility and compassion. It is the most humane way of relating between small producers and coffee consumers,” he added.

FUW South Wales Finance and Organisation Committee Delegate Brian Bowen, who also attended the visit said: “In 2008 Wales became the first ever “Fair Trade Nation” and the FUW announced its support for Fairtrade at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in December that year.

“Since then we have been working closely with Fair Trade Wales to highlight the need for farmers all over the world to get paid a fair price so that food security can be achieved across the globe.

“It was a pleasure to hear how Nimrod farms his coffee and it tasted fantastic and even I was surprised to learn how much we have in common with farmers across the globe.

“I enjoyed a very informative day at Blaenhow farm and as for the Venison sausages - I encourage everyone to try this premium product.”

[caption id="attachment_6234" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Blaenhow deer[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6226" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Green Party representative Alice Hooker-Stroud, Conservative candidate Neil Fairlamb, Liberal Democrat candidate Stephen Churchman, Labour candidate Ian MacIntyre, Plaid Cymru candidate Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas and FUW Meirionnydd member Robert Wyn Evans, Sylfaen, Barmouth introducing the candidates.[/caption]

One of the hottest topics around at the moment - the upcoming EU referendum - was at the top of the agenda at the Farmers’ Union of Wales Meirionnydd AGM on Friday March 4.

The event, which was held at the Dolgellau Rugby Club, was attended by a large number of Union members as candidates for the Welsh Assembly Elections for the Meirionnydd Dwyfor constituency spoke about their plans and commitments to agriculture following the May elections.

The speakers included current AM and Plaid Cymru candidate Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Liberal Democrat candidate Stephen Churchman, Labour candidate Ian MacIntyre, Conservative candidate Neil Fairlamb and Green Party representative Alice Hooker-Stroud. A representative of UKIP had also been invited.

Each candidate gave a presentation and thereafter questions were invited from the floor.

FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones said: “The biggest questions of the night was a request for clarification on the views of the panel on the forthcoming EU referendum.

“This is of course the biggest issue to affect farming since the UK joined the common market in 1973 and one which at this point is surrounded by controversy as to what would happen if the UK left the EU.

“The FUW has made its view very clear - we have huge frustrations over many aspects of the EU, but believe it is in our best interests to remain in and change shortcomings from inside rather than risk being outside.
"However, contingency plans for a potential Brexit are vital and need to be drawn up quickly.”

The Union continues to press politicians and policy makers on both sides of the fence for facts.

"What people need in order to make an informed choice in June are facts from both sides of the argument which cover a variety of political scenarios."

To support this objective the FUW is holding its first EU referendum debate on Friday March 18 at the William Davies Suite, IBERS, Aberystwyth at 3pm.

"We are committed to providing as much information as possible to members in order for them to make a fully informed decision in June, and are therefore staging a debate between Lord Dafydd Wigley from the ‘Stronger in Europe’ campaign and former Secretary of State for Wales David Jones MP, who supports us leaving the EU."

Mr Jones said a series of further debates and hustings around the country were planned in order to help inform members.

Other issues discussed at the Meirionnydd AGM were the fact that average wages in the Meirion Dwyfor constituency are the lowest throughout Europe, that rural communities should be higher up government priority lists, that ideas were needed to get the economy working in rural communities and the importance of job creation and opportunities for diversification.

[caption id="attachment_6223" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Discussing the Groceries Code over breakfast are Groceries Adjudicator Ms Christine Tacon, FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright and FUW President Glyn Roberts[/caption]

Following the publication of the report into the compliance of Tesco with the Groceries Code of Practice earlier this year, the Farmers’ Union of Wales once again met with the Groceries Adjudicator to discuss its remit and to identify how best to use the Code for the benefit of suppliers.

The Groceries Code Adjudicator was formally established in 2013 to ensure supermarkets treat their suppliers lawfully and fairly.

At present, only retailers with a groceries turnover of greater than £1 billion are included in the remit of the Adjudicator.

The FUW has repeatedly called for this threshold to be lowered so that other retailers can also be held accountable for unfair practises.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We are grateful that Ms Tacon took time to speak with us over an informal breakfast. We hope that the recommendations put forward for Tesco will demonstrate to the other large retailers what constitutes unfair practice and that the others will read the final report and apply best practise to their own situation.

“Ms Tacon made clear to us that the Groceries Adjudicator cannot work to directly influence the price paid to a direct supplier. However, by working to change culture and improve transparency and efficiency, it is hoped that this work will be of benefit to the whole supply chain.”

Ms Tacon told the FUW that she was unable to launch any investigation into a retailer without receiving information from suppliers about possible breaches. She added that protecting the confidentiality of direct suppliers was of paramount importance and that the strength of the Adjudicator was directly proportional to the number of representations made by suppliers.

Alongside a supplier survey, which will be available on the Groceries Adjudicator’s website (www.gov.uk/gca) from March 14, a consultation will also be launched shortly into practises related to indirect payments for better positioning. The Union would encourage responses to both requests for information from relevant suppliers.