[caption id="attachment_6117" align="aligncenter" width="300"] "Newly appointed FUW Managing Director Alan Davies says the opportunity to be here in Wales, to work in Welsh, to be able to influence Welsh Government policy and represent an important cause was far too good an opportunity to miss"[/caption]

Having celebrated their 60th Anniversary in December last year, the Farmers’ Union of Wales has appointed a Welsh speaking London-Welshman as its new Managing Director.

Alan Davies, whose family emanate from Ceredigion, had an early career in the Army and for the last 20+ years has lived and worked in and around Cardiff establishing and growing some high impact businesses in south Wales.

More recently he has managed complex project relationships between large companies in Wales and the Welsh Government.

“I’m truly excited about the challenge this position offers. The FUW is unique: it is the only body authorised by the UK Government to speak exclusively on behalf of the Farmers of Wales, our members are from within Wales, our funding all emanates from within Wales and of course we are not influenced by external or corporate decision makers.

“Our focus is all about making Wales a better place with strong, sustainable rural economies and with over 35 percent of the country's population in the rural economy this is a challenge that needs serious attention.

“Of course we face some challenging and exciting times: there are global issues that affect farming, the EU referendum represents a dangerous moment that could take us into worrying territory and of course the imminent Welsh Assembly elections represent more possibility for change. We will however work with any and all parties to strengthen the future of Wales,” said Mr Davies.

At the recent FUW annual Farmhouse Breakfast in the Senedd, FUW President Glyn Roberts, commented: “We are delighted to have Alan on our team. Not only does he bring a tremendous range of skills that will help us strengthen the position of the FUW as the leading representative of farmers throughout Wales, but his fresh ideas and innovative approach will be of great value to our work in making Wales stronger.”

At the same event, Mr Davies commented on the importance of working together: “Teamwork, cooperation, collaboration: we must all work together to ensure that our rural economy remains an important part of the future of Wales, and we must recognise the importance that agriculture plays in our hearts, on our tables and in the rural economy.”

[caption id="attachment_6110" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Deputy Minister for Farming and Food Rebecca Evans being served breakfast by FUW President Glyn Roberts.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6109" align="aligncenter" width="300"] From left: RWAS Chief Executive Steve Hughson, Chairman of the Farming Connect Strategic Advisory Board Professor Wynne Jones, Glyn Roberts, Rebecca Evans, Hybu Cig Cymru Chairman Dai Davies and Preseli AM Paul Davies.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6108" align="aligncenter" width="300"] From left, Caernarfon AM Alun Ffred Jones, RABI Regional Manager Linda Jones, S4C Chief Executive Ian Jones, RWAS Chief Executive Steve Hughson and F&O South Wales Committee Member Brian Bowen.[/caption]

A successful breakfast function has been held at the Senedd in Cardiff on Tuesday, January 26, thanks to the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

Joining the FUW and other guests for the event, which was sponsored by Paul Davies AM and Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales, were the Secretary General for the Muslim Council for Wales, Mr Saleem Kidwai, and Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture Rebecca Evans.

Addressing the almost 100 breakfast guests, FUW President Glyn Roberts emphasized the need for people to keep the conversation open and to have a joint working approach for the good of the industry and Wales as a whole.

“Food has the power to bring people together and I am pleased to see so many of you here at our 16th farmhouse breakfast event at the Senedd.

“When we all come round the table, like we are here today, we create the opportunity to keep the conversation open and can discuss the future of our industry and the rural economies in Wales.

“We launched our Assembly Election Manifesto at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in December with a range of expectations for the incoming Welsh Government.

“But a lot has changed already and we will therefore be highlighting our essential priorities further in regards to what we believe should be our priorities- which is- to ensure a future of sustainable rural communities.

“Today is an important day. As we celebrate the high quality Welsh produce on offer right in the heart of Welsh Government, we are looking at the challenge of making Wales a more vibrant and sustainable nation.”

35 percent of Wales’ population are living in rural areas.  The potential loss of the Common Agricultural Policy- aimed at supporting our rural communities and the agricultural businesses which lie at their core- should be a major concern for us all, added Mr Roberts.

“If we are serious about having sustainable rural communities we need detailed research into Wales’ rural and wider economy, agriculture’s place within it, and the businesses which are reliant on agriculture.

“All of us have an important part to play in securing sustainable rural communities for the future and as an Union, with no political leaning whatsoever, we will work with any future Welsh Government to support the delivery of the well-being of the Future Generations Act.”

Tesco’s latest tendering process for liquid milk could see a 200m litre shift in liquid milk procurement away from Arla.

If confirmed, this change could further expose non-aligned producers to price falls if Arla was left to process the excess milk through the plant at Westbury.

Although no confirmation has been received by either Tesco or Arla, the FUW would urge Tesco to ensure that its liquid milk procurement process does not function to further depress the prices received by non-aligned producers.

The Union would also urge Tesco to bring clarity to this issue in order to allow dairy farmers time to assess their options.

Speculation over Tesco milk sourcing follows the announcement that this major retailer had breached the Groceries Code by making widespread delays and deductions to suppliers’ payments.

Following confirmation of the breach, the Groceries Code Adjudicator, Ms Christine Tacon, ordered Tesco to correct pricing errors within 7 days of notification and to cease the practise of making unilateral price deductions to suppliers’ payments.

However, the FUW was extremely disappointed to note that the large retailer would not be in receipt of a fine because the government failed to state the fine limit that could be imposed by the Groceries Code Adjudicator within the time frame of the Tesco investigation.

FUW Milk and Dairy Produce Committee Chairman, Rhydian Owen, said: “The FUW repeatedly called for the government to activate the Adjudicator’s power to fine in order to bring retailers exhibiting unfair practises to account and it is therefore infuriating that such powers were not allocated in time to see those breaches by Tesco properly penalised.

“The current speculation regarding Tesco’s liquid milk procurement further strengthens the FUW’s call for all dairy farmers to be included in the remit of the Groceries Code Adjudicator.

“At present, retailer aligned contracts only account for about four percent of the milk produced in Wales.”

The Serious Fraud Office is also currently investigating Tesco and the FUW will provide further information on the results of this investigation when it becomes available.

Proposed cuts to National Park funding in Wales should prompt discussions on fairer ways to generate and spend income in order to benefit park authorities and residents, the Farmers’ Union of Wales has said.

While the Welsh Government has yet to confirm the budgets for Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons national parks, cuts of 5 percent are anticipated for the coming financial year, with warnings of similar cuts in subsequent years.

FUW Brecon and Radnor County Executive Officer Aled Jones said; “There are naturally concerns regarding the impact the funding cuts will have for National Park authorities and residents and businesses within the parks, but it should prompt discussion on more equitable ways in which to generate income from those who visit the parks in order to compensate those who are faced with added costs and restrictions within National Parks.”

Mr Jones said that while many businesses benefitted from tourism within National Parks, many others did not.

“Many farms have diversified into tourism in order to help make ends meet, but if all farms did this the market would become diluted.

“This means the impact of being in a National Park for the majority of farm businesses is additional costs and restrictions compared with their counterparts outside the parks, and the same goes for other businesses and residents in general.

“Innovative ideas need to be explored in order to ensure income can be generated from visitors to the parks, as happens in other areas of the world, in order to compensate people and businesses for these additional costs.

“Otherwise the farms and residents which are at the heart of the community and landscape within our National Parks are effectively paying for the free entertainment of people who live outside the park's, many of whom come for day trips and bring little economic benefit to the area.”