[caption id="attachment_7431" align="alignleft" width="300"] Those who keep birds must follow the official guidelines provided by the Chief Veterinary Officer and practise the highest level of biosecurity[/caption]

Poultry keepers in Carmarthenshire need to be aware of a confirmed case of Avian Influenza H5N8, which was confirmed in a back yard flock of chickens and ducks on a premises in Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire.

A 3 kilometer Protection Zone and 10 kilometer Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the infected premises, to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

Those who keep poultry are advised to contact their veterinary surgeon if they are concerned about the health of their birds and if they suspect that their birds are showing signs of the disease are advised to immediately report it to the local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office.

Members of the public are encouraged to report dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or gulls, or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location, to the Defra helpline on 03459 335577.

The virus found in Carmarthenshire is the same strain of the virus identified in a wild duck in Llanelli on 22 December, a turkey farm in Lincolnshire on 16 December and cases in wild, captive or domestic birds in many European countries, the Middle East and North Africa.

FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright said: “This is a worry for our poultry farmers and anyone who keeps chickens, ducks and other poultry in a small or private capacity. I urge those who keep birds to follow the official guidelines provided by the Chief Veterinary Officer and practise the highest level of biosecurity.”

The risk to public health is classed as low, that’s according to advice from Public Health Wales (PHW), and the Food Standards Agency has made it clear that avian flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers. Thoroughly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

Poultry keepers are further encouraged to provide details of their flocks to the Poultry Register, which will ensure they can be contacted immediately in the event of an avian disease outbreak so that they can take action to protect their flock at the earliest opportunity.

What does the Restriction Zone mean?

The restrictions in place mean that all premises with poultry and/or captive birds within the zones will continue to house their birds, if possible. The movement of birds, mammals and other things, such as carcasses, eggs, used poultry litter and manure, on or off premises where poultry are present and out of the Protection and Surveillance Zones are banned except under license. No gatherings of poultry or the release of game birds are also allowed in the zones. Information on the restrictions in place within the zones can be found at: http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/ahw/disease/avianflu/?lang=enand.

What does the Prevention Zone mean?

A Prevention Zone was also established in Wales on the 6th December, which requires all keepers of poultry and other captive birds to keep their birds indoors, or take appropriate steps to keep them separate, and protect them, from wild birds. Further steps were taken to protect poultry and captive birds by introducing a temporary suspension on gatherings of poultry.

[caption id="attachment_7425" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Glyn Roberts.[/caption]

The momentous nature of 2016 in terms of the UK’s decision to leave the EU will dominate Christmas and New Year’s messages in all sectors, from social care to construction, banking to pharmacy.

But the implications for agriculture may be more far reaching than for any other sector: For decades, membership of the EU has burdened farmers and the food supply chain with ever growing levels of bureaucracy, more so than any other industry, leading many farmers to decide on 23rd June 2016 ‘enough is enough’.

But the other side of the coin has been market protection against cheaper non-EU products produced to far lower standards, and an EU agriculture and rural development budget far greater than that devoted to any other sector.

As UK politicians debate and argue over the many post-Brexit scenarios, our freedom to make decisions without interference from pro-farming EU members such as France is seen by many as an opportunity to slash support for farming and open up our markets to cheap food.

Equally vocal are those arguing for farm rules and restrictions to be ratcheted up while ignoring economic realities and the hypocrisy and dangers of doing this without demanding greater market protection against products not subject to the same restrictions.

Meanwhile, those highlighting the dangers such policies represent for our rural communities are few and far between, and it is no overstatement to say that the farming industry and our rural economies are facing the biggest challenge since the Second World War.

In anticipation of these dangers and a Brexit vote, the need for a proper assessment of the economics of Welsh agriculture and rural communities was the central message of the FUW’s manifesto, launched at the 2015 Winter Fair.

Since then, the Union has been at the forefront of moves to undertake such work, and as members of Wales’ Strategic Framework Group we have worked alongside others in collating and analysing data in order to identify and quantify the risks and opportunities represented by post Brexit policies.

Meanwhile, communicating the essential roles played by Welsh agriculture in terms of food production, biodiversity, climate change and economics has been a focus of our #FarmingMatters campaign, and in our regular meetings with Welsh and UK Government Ministers and other interested parties.

As part of that campaign, we have held regular farm visits for politicians, attended by upstream and downstream businesses which are reliant on the industry in order to demonstrate the complexity and economic importance of the supply chains in which farmers are the key link, and I would take this opportunity to thank all those who have hosted and attended these events.

Whilst the work in emphasising this importance to those outside the industry has gone on, we have also consulted internally with members on the nature of Brexit and post-Brexit policies, agreeing on the key overarching principles which should guide UK governments in terms of negotiations - both with the EU, and between the UK’s devolved regions.

Meanwhile, FUW staff across Wales have continued to provide invaluable frontline services for members in terms of assistance, advice and guidance, as well as lobbying on matters such as bovine TB and Nitrate Vulnerable Zones - all issues which will be altered radically by the decisions made in relation to Brexit over the coming months and years.

As pro-European politicians start to recognise the dangers of arrogantly dismissing genuine concerns regarding the nature of the EU, many pro-Brexit politicians are finding there is a world of difference between pre-referendum promises of Utopia and the real world of trade negotiations, global politics and economics.

With speculation of what Brexit might mean in terms of timescales, trade deals, and legislation changing on a daily basis, we are facing a level of uncertainty and risk not seen for generations.

I know of many in their teens and twenties who were heartbroken by the referendum result and what its implications would be for them and the future of our countryside.

What better incentive could there be for us as an industry and politicians on all sides of the debate to work to ensure there is a bright future for those who will take our places in the decades to come.

We have a responsibility to offer answers, set out visions, and fight for the policies which will make Wales’ future outside the EU a better one, and the FUW is committed to doing just that as the independent voice for Welsh farming.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

There really is no better place for bonding people together and sharing ideas than over good food - and because the Farmers’ Union of Wales wants to continue to make sure that the voice of Welsh farming is heard at every level, farms across Wales will open their kitchens at the end of for breakfast week (January 22 - 29).

“Politicians, key stakeholders and the general public need to really understand the important role the food and drink sector plays in their everyday lives, so to do just that we will be enjoying some great local produce to kick-start our day as part of our breakfast week campaign.

“But we want you to be a part of what we do, and share your thoughts and worries about the state of the industry, tell us your stories and help us to understand how we can help each other,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

This breakfast campaign provides an opportunity to promote the quality premium local produce that farmers grow for us every day of the year and throughout breakfast week the FUW will shine a spotlight on the importance of our rural economy.

“Decision makers who are joining us will see the vital part farmers play in maintaining our rural communities, in sustaining a viable and profitable agricultural sector and of course producing excellent food,” added Mr Roberts.

Over the last year the FUW has been busy highlighting why farming matters - not just in terms of food security but also in terms of our rural economy and our rural communities.

A host of businesses up and down the country have already been supporting the FUW in bringing that message across to politicians over the past 12 months and through farm visits, round table discussions and meetings, the Union has been making great progress in highlighting why #FarmingMatters.

“However, we want to continue that work and would like to invite you to join us around the kitchen table for breakfast. All across Wales farms are opening up their kitchens for you, where we will be joined by producers, members and our local politicians. So why not book your place at one of our kitchen tables and help us to show why farming matters?,” said Glyn Roberts.

If you need any further information on any of the locations and breakfasts held in your area, or if you want to get involved by sponsoring some produce or if you also want to host a breakfast as part of the FUW’s breakfast week - just give your local County Executive Officer a quick call.

Confirmed breakfast locations and dates:

Anglesey -

Friday, January 27, Cartio Môn, Bodedern

Brecon and Radnor -

Thursday, January 26, Talwen Fawr, Garthbrengy

Friday, January 27, Builth Pavilion, RWAS Showground, Llanelwedd

Caernarfon -

Saturday, January 21, Meillionydd Bach, Rhoshirwaun, Pwllheli

Monday, January 23, Ty’n Hendre, Talybont, Bangor

Tuesday, January 24, Llys Padrig, Y Ffor, Pwllheli, Gwynedd

Friday, January 27, Dylasau Uchaf, Padog, Betws-y-Coed, Conwy

Friday, January 27, Caffi Ann, Bryncir Mart, Bryncir, Garndolbenmaen

Ceredigion -

Thursday, January 26, Neuadd Goffa Felinfach, Lampeter

Friday, January 27, La Calabria, Rhydgoch, Ffostrasol, Llandysul

Carmarthen -

Thursday, January 26, Pontiets Rugby Club

Friday, January 27, Pumpkin Patch, Carmarthen

Denbighshire -

Friday, January 27, Neuadd y Groes , Dinbych

Saturday, January 28, Gwytherin Village Hall

Flintshire -

Saturday, January 28, Cilcain Village Hall

Glamorgan -

Friday, January 27, Lesser Hall, High Street, Cowbridge

Gwent -

Thursday, January 26, Ty Oakley Farm, Hafodyrynys, Crumlin

Friday, January 27, Llanellen Village Hall, Llanellen, Llanfoist, Abergavenny

Meirionnydd -

Saturday, January 21, Castell Hen, Parc, Y Bala

Monday, January 23, Canolfan Siop y Pentref, Llanfrothen

Wednesday, January 25, Llew Coch, Dinas Mawddwy

Thursday, January 26, Marchnad Dolgellau

Friday, January 27, Tymawr, Carrog, Corwen

Saturday, January 28, Neuadd Llanegryn

Montgomeryshire -

Monday, January 23, Trewythen, Llandinam

Friday, January 27, Pen Y Derw, Forden

Pembrokeshire-

Friday, January 27, Crundale Hall, Cardigan Road, Crundale, Haverfordwest

[caption id="attachment_7418" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Brian Bowen.[/caption]

If you are a small farm business around Abergavenny and Builth Wells, you could soon benefit from a new Prince of Wales initiative.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales was pleased to learn that the Prince’s Countryside Fund, which aims to improve the prospects of family farm businesses and the quality of rural life, is leading a £1.5 million, five-year initiative to help tackle some of the biggest challenges being faced by small farm businesses across the UK and Wales will now also be included.

FUW Finance and Organisation Committee delegate for South Wales, Brian Bowen said: “This is great news for our Welsh farmers here in the mid and south Wales region. The Prince’s Farm Resilience Programme will provide free practical and essential business workshops and one-to-one guidance to 40 small dairy, livestock and mixed family farm businesses around Abergavenny and Builth Wells in 2017 and I urge our members not to miss out on this opportunity.”

Building on the success of The Prince’s Dairy Initiative the new programme will support up to 300 farm businesses each year across the UK. It aims to help farm businesses by giving them the tools to evaluate their viability and long-term sustainability as well as supporting them to make key decisions about the future direction of their business.

Introductory sessions to meet the team and find out how the programme could benefit you are being held at Monmouthshire Livestock Centre Croesbychan on Monday January 9 between 7-9pm - (Contact Dave Pett 07813 454537 for more details) and at the Smithfield Joinery in Maesmynis, Builth Wells on Thursday January 12, between 7-9pm (Contact Megan Loynes 07815 600240 for more details).

Claire Saunders, director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said, “In recent years it has been really tough for many of our smaller family farms. By offering this programme of free, expert help and advice during these times of uncertainty, we will provide small farm businesses with new skills to help them build their business to be more resilient in the future.”