Former Farmers' Union of Wales director of agricultural policy Mary James has received this year's FUW/United Counties Agricultural & Hunters Society award for outstanding service to agriculture in Carmarthenshire.

“Mary was nominated for this award on the basis of the excellent service she has provided to the agricultural industry in Carmarthenshire and throughout Wales during her career in the world of agri-politics,” said FUW president Emyr Jones.

“She has been an instrumental force in lobbying for the best interests of Welsh farmers throughout all these times of significant changes to the agricultural policy landscape and for this we thank her,” added Mr Jones.

Mary has recently retired after a long career in agri-politics which has spanned a staggering 37 years, beginning with the FUW and for the last 15 years she has worked for NFU Cymru.

In 1999 she became deputy director/head of policy before she was appointed director in 2008, taking over responsibility for the management, resources and policy direction of NFU Cymru.

Prior to entering a career in agri-politics she gained a BSc honours degree in agricultural economics at the University College of Wales Aberystwyth.

In 1996 she was made an associate of the Royal Agricultural Societies and in July 2002 she was awarded a prestigious fellowship from the Royal Agricultural Societies in recognition of further contribution to the agricultural industry.

“Mary is held in the highest regard by politicians and senior civil servants in Cardiff and has played a crucial role in bringing the agricultural industry and Welsh government closer together,” Mr Jones added.

Although recently retired Mary maintains a keen interest in the agricultural industry in Wales and remains a member of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Carmarthenshire advisory committee and is an NFU Mutual Farm Safety Foundation trustee.

[caption id="attachment_3141" align="aligncenter" width="768"] from left: FUW president Emyr Jones with Welsh Dairy Show Dinner president Enid George and former FUW director of agricultural policy Mary James[/caption]

Brecon & Radnor Day organised by the Farmers' Union of Wales at the House of Commons on October 22 was an excellent shop window to show a wide audience what the county offers, the local MP told dozens of fellow MPs and peers.

"As Member of Parliament for Brecon & Radnorshire I was honoured to host Brecon & Radnor Day in Westminster together with the Brecon & Radnor branch of the FUW," said Roger Williams.

"The event was an excellent shop window to show the wider audience what these historic counties have to offer.

"Most businesses within my constituency are connected to agriculture or tourism and it is very heartening to see so many diversified agricultural businesses succeeding in this area.

“Some say that it is more difficult to be successful in a rural area - and, undoubtedly, more challenges have to be overcome in an area such as Brecon & Radnor.

"However, it was very encouraging to see so many successful businesses present at Brecon & Radnor Day which proves that success is possible."

FUW deputy president Glyn Roberts, who farms near Betws-y-Coed, said: "We are really grateful to Mr Williams and his staff members in the constituency and at Westminster for all the help they have given us to make sure this project was a great success.

“Mr Williams is a strong supporter of agriculture, food and the rural economy and his enthusiasm for this event underlines that. He has always been ready to help the farming community and has cemented close links with the FUW."

Companies displaying a range of Welsh food and drink included Radnor Hills, founded in 1991 by William Watkins as a diversification from his family’s farm.

The company now bottles over 130 million bottles per annum of mineral water and soft drinks on six production lines at the site in Knighton and has an annual turnover of over £25 million.

Products include premium presses, school compliant drinks, juice drinks and flavoured waters for the foodservice and catering sectors.

Another local company, Brecon Brewing, was established in 2011 by Buster Grant, one of Wales’ best known brewers. Brecon Brewing has created a range of beers, full of flavour and character inspired by the dramatic locality, working with the local community and reigniting interest in Brecon.

Also attending were Penderyn Distillery which, since its launch, has become one of the most recognised brands to emanate from Wales and is now sold extensively throughout the UK and worldwide.

It has gained the highest praise of the whisky industry and won numerous international awards, including honours at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competitions.

The Welsh Venison Centre also provided cooked meats as tasters for the hundreds of visitors to Brecon & Radnor Day as did Steve Morgans Butchers who have shops in Brecon and Builth Wells.

Love at First Bake provided tasters of scones and cakes which are all made with gluten free ingredients. Chef on the Run, run by Rachel Carnell in Hay-on-Wye, had tasters of jams and preserves.

Caroline Frampton, who runs Carolines Real Bread, had a display and tasters of many different breads that she produces at her base in Merthyr Cynog.

Also at the event were Brecon-based Ty-Mawr Lime Ltd, one of the foremost manufacturers and suppliers of traditional and sustainable building materials in the UK today.

Both Radnorshire and Breconshire YFCs had a strong representation from their members and provided an excellent display of what the organisation has to offer young people in the area.

Brecknock and Radnorshire wildlife trusts had a display promoting wildlife conservation in the area.

Royal Welsh Agricultural Society chief executive Steve Hughson attended and had a display which included a life-size model of a sheep as well as a video feed of this year’s Royal Welsh Show.

[caption id="attachment_3136" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] From left, Glyn Roberts, Roger Williams and Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3138" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] From left, Glyn Roberts, Roger Williams, Under Secretary of State for Wales Baroness Randerson, FUW Brecon and Radnor county executive officer Aled Jones and representatives of Breconshire and Radnorshire YFCs.[/caption]

The longest serving member of the Farmers' Union of Wales staff, Llanrwst-based Gwyn Williams, is retiring at the end of this month after more than 39 years with the organisation.

Mr Williams started working for the union in July 1975 and, as an area officer covering much of the Conwy Valley and surrounding area, saw the organisation develop from a “pressure group” to the force it is today. He also witnessed the official recognition of the union in 1977 by the then Westminster agriculture minister John Silkin.

"Among the high points of my career as an FUW area officer was experiencing the union grow in stature and influence," he said.

"Most importantly, it was an honour and privilege to serve the farming community of the Hiraethog and north Clwyd area. Even up to today I have fourth generation farmers that have done business with me personally."

Among the low points of his union service were the Chernobyl and BSE disasters. "History has taught us that Foot & Mouth, despite being serious, would end at some point but we were treading unknown territory with both Chernobyl and BSE.

"Although I consider myself a very positive person, I recall times when I seriously believed livestock farming in its previous form would not be possible.

"I wish to thank the members and rural businesses I have had the privilege of working with for their support throughout the last 39 years.

"I am now looking forward to having more time with my family. I enjoy walking and caravanning and I will be assisting my son who has a business in Betws y Coed."

FUW Insurance Services managing director Mark Roberts said: “Gwyn is not only our longest serving area officer, he is also our most successful. When he commenced his employment with us in 1975 the insurance premium income in his area was approximately £25,000 - at the time of his retirement it is approximately £1,500,000 - and what would have taken a year to collect in 1975 is now collected every four days!

“He has been so successful in growing his account that he needs to be replaced by three area officers - Caryl Edwards, Lowri Evans and Gwyn Jones.

“Gwyn has seen many changes in his career with FUW, including the move towards the use of computer technology and the move away from the use of a single insurer to that of an insurance broking model. Rather than resist change, Gwyn has embraced it.

“He was the first area officer to work from an office and the first area officer to employ an administrative assistant, both of which are now the norm rather than the exception.

“Whilst he has often queried some of my decisions, I wish I had 32 area officers like him. He is one of the most dedicated, driven and organised people that I have ever met and I shall miss him. I wish him a long and happy retirement.”

[caption id="attachment_3133" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The longest serving member of the Farmers' Union of Wales staff, Llanrwst-based Gwyn Williams, is retiring at the end of this month after more than 39 years with the organisation[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales today welcomed deputy farming and food minister Rebecca Evans’ announcement that Welsh TB compensation rates for compulsorily purchased cattle will continue to use the current valuation system.

 Earlier this year, the FUW responded to a Welsh Government consultation on TB compensation rates in Wales by vociferously objecting to any move towards a tabular system which used average market pricing.

 FUW vice president and the union’s TB spokesman Brian Walters said: “Animals placed on the market do not necessarily reflect the standards of those that remain on farm, particularly in the case of pedigree herds. Tabular values could, therefore, act as a disincentive to keeping higher value animals particularly in areas where TB is prevalent.

“Indeed the tabular system would have rewarded poorer quality animals and could have had a negative effect on the use of herd improvement technologies such as genetic and genomics.”

The retention of the current valuation system comes with some notable changes. Extra measures will be put in place to scrutinise pedigree valuations above £3,000 and there will be a cap of £15,000 for payments made on pedigree animals. There will also be a review of the use of veterinary improvement notices and penalties for risky practises.

“Using average market prices as a basis for payments would have been wholly unjust and would have inevitably reduced the amount of compensation paid to many farmers here in Wales,” added Mr Walters.

“We are, therefore, pleased that the Welsh Government has listened to our representations on this matter and that our opinions have been taken on board.

“The union will now be seeking more information on how this added scrutiny will function in practise and will be working to ensure that the increased use of veterinary improvement notices is both proportionate and appropriate.”