The Farmers’ Union of Wales has warned of a desperate need for improved farmgate returns given low farm incomes and the uncertainty facing the industry over the coming years.

Speaking in response to falling cattle prices, FUW livestock, wool and marts committee chairman Dafydd Roberts, said: “Last year saw prices fall by 15 percent between January and July, and current prices have fallen to around five percent below what they were this time last year. If prices follow last year’s trend it will have a severe impact on the sector.”

Mr Roberts said all sectors in Wales were facing major challenges, highlighting a fall in farm business incomes of around 40 percent over the past five years, with a 20 to 25 percent fall over the past year alone.

“On top of this we now face a period of extreme uncertainty due to the changes to the payment regime and the likelihood of delayed payments over the next twelve months,” he added.

Mr Roberts said supermarkets and other key players in the supply chain needed to demonstrate awareness of the challenges facing agricultural and the risks of failing to ensure fair farmgate returns.

“Despite consumer support for British agriculture, poor profitability has hit cattle numbers in particular, with numbers down 20 percent in Wales compared with a decade ago.

“Action needs to be taken to show solid commitment to Welsh and British agriculture in order to protect supplies. Otherwise unacceptably low farm incomes and the financial uncertainties facing us over the next twelve months will have an impact on the supply chain as a whole, with a major knock-on effect for rural economies,” added Mr Roberts.

The Anglesey branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is giving members and friends of the union the chance to question general election candidates on the island about the future of the rural industry.

The event will take place on Tuesday April 14 commencing at 7.30pm at Môn Karting, Bodedern and will focus on the agricultural industry and rural Anglesey.

“Farm Business Survey figures demonstrate that each year the average Welsh farm can inject upwards of £100,000 into the wider economy, benefiting a vast array of businesses including many not directly associated with agriculture,” said FUW Anglesey county executive officer Heidi Williams.

“Farming continues to be the bedrock of rural areas, both socially and economically, and there can be no doubt that the impact of the financial crisis has been buffered by the core role agriculture has played in generating income for communities the length and breadth of the UK.

“With that in mind, I would like to invite members and friends of the union to join us for the evening and ask the general election candidates about what their party will do for the rural industry on Anglesey and for agriculture,” added Mrs Williams.

Candidates confirmed to attend the general election hustings are Plaid Cymru candidate John Rowland, Liberal Democrat candidate Mark Rosental, Socialist Labour Party candidate Liz Screen, Labour party candidate Albert Owen, Conservative party candidate Michelle Willis and UKIP candidate Nathan Gill.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is urging farmers to start completing their Single Application Forms (SAFs) as soon as possible following Deputy Minister Rebecca Evans’ announcement that the Friday May 15 submission deadline would not be extended in Wales. 

The SAF completion process is the single most important form completion exercise being carried out by Welsh farmers since 2004, and the financial repercussions of errors on the forms are severe. DEFRA confirmed in March that the deadline for submitting English forms had been extended to June 15 following the collapse of the English online application system and agreement by the EU that extensions would be allowed.

However, last week Wales’ Deputy Minister for Farming and Food announced that the Welsh Government would be sticking with the May 15 deadline as delaying the submission deadline would delay part-payments, thereby causing cash-flow problems for farmers, while also risking the loss of rural development funding.

According to the Welsh Government, around 1,400 of forms had been submitted as of April 2, meaning around 15,000 remain to be submitted over the coming weeks.

“This year’s form will establish farm payments for the foreseeable future,” said FUW head of policy Dr Nick Fenwick.

“The fact that sketch maps have to accompany the forms, agri-environment claims have to be detailed on the form and complex greening calculations have to be undertaken mean forms which usually take a few hours are taking days to complete.”

Dr Fenwick said the FUW fully appreciated the Welsh Government’s predicament in terms of the risks of extending the deadline.

“It really is a Catch 22 situation where the impacts of delaying the deadline have to be balanced against the risk that a proportion of the 15,000 who have yet to submit their forms will find it difficult or impossible to get the necessary support to help complete their forms correctly.

“It’s a difficult message given the busy time of year for the industry, but people need to start completing their forms as a matter of urgency as in many cases completion can take days and require additional information or data to be added to the form,” added Dr Fenwick.

In the meantime, Dr Fenwick said the FUW had written to the Deputy Minister urging her to keep an open mind to the possibility of opting for an extension.

“Only around 15 percent of forms have been submitted to date and we know that submitting a vast proportion of those has meant people working long hours and holidays to cope with the burden. As such, we have urged the Deputy Minister to reassess the situation at the end of April, but at the moment we must presume that the deadline is May 15,” he added.

The Ceredigion branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is holding a special meeting to provide members and friends of the union with an opportunity to quiz general election candidates in the county.

The event will take place on Thursday April 9 commencing at 7.30pm at Aberaeron Rugby Club and has been jointly organised with Wynnstay plc and the CLA.

“This will be the largest and most comprehensive agricultural hustings in Ceredigion and all are welcome to hear the candidates’ debate the future of our industry. It promises to be a lively event and we are delighted to have joined forces with other sectors of the agricultural industry in order to create an overarching agricultural hustings event for all Ceredigion farmers,” said FUW Ceredigion county executive officer Caryl Wyn-Jones.

Candidates confirmed to attend the general election hustings are Plaid Cymru candidate Mike Parker, Labour party candidate Huw Thomas, Liberal Democrat candidate Mark Williams, Green Party candidate Daniel Thompson and UKIP candidate Gethin James.

“The implications of decisions made in Westminster have a significant effect on the day-to-day working of farmers and landowners and even though many of the rules and regulations stem from the European Parliament, the UK as a member-state has an essential role to play around that table.

“It is essential for farmers and landowners to have the opportunity to question and query party candidates as well as hearing their views on the future of rural Wales. The meeting will be chaired by local Independent councillor and farmer Gareth Lloyd of Clettwr Farm, Talgarreg, and we would like to extend a warm welcome to all those able to take an hour away from the lambing and calving to join us for this important event,” added Miss Wyn-Jones.