The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the announcement that plans, which would have forced millions of businesses and self-employed people to file multiple tax returns each year, have been shelved by the Government.

The policy, known as "Making Tax Digital" has been dropped from the  Finance Bill, which will be the last to be debated in the House of Commons before Parliament adjourns for the General Election.

The decision means that the scheme, which would have affected large businesses from 2018 and small businesses from 2019, will be delayed by at least a year. It also raises the possibility that it could be scrapped altogether.

Worst-hit by the change would be the self-employed with turnovers of more than £85,000, who from April 2018 would have had to file at least five returns per tax year in addition to regular VAT returns.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We very much welcome that this scheme has been dropped from the Finance Bill and urge the Government to not just delay its implementation but to scrap it completely.

“Across the country millions of individuals and businesses are benefiting from the convenience and simplicity of digital services and whilst this move would have brought benefits to some, there is a real concern that those in rural Wales, who have no access to internet, would be at a severe disadvantage.

“Whilst this proposal to bring business tax into the digital age is admirable, many people who live in rural areas are still waiting for the digital age to come to them. The FUW has stressed on many occasions that those without a connection cannot diversify their businesses, that they cannot support children with homework as many need to do and that they cannot connect readily with Government programmes for advice and support payments as they are mandated to do.

“Government talks about ‘future proofing’ our economy in light of Brexit and investment in broadband should therefore be a top priority for the Welsh administration, given the wider economic benefits it will bring to our rural communities.”

The FUW will continue to highlight the need for improved broadband availability and is urging the UK Government to ensure that the system is properly tested by farm businesses across the country before it is put into action.

[caption id="attachment_7858" align="alignleft" width="300"] Join us to talk about the dairy industry![/caption]

Dairy farmers on Anglesey are set to discuss the latest developments in the dairy industry, when they meet on Thursday, 27 April, at The Bull Hotel, Llangefni.

The meeting, which is open to everyone with an interest in dairy farming,  has been arranged by the Farmers’ Union of Wales Anglesey branch and will start at 7.30pm.

Heidi Williams, the FUW’s Anglesey CEO, said: “We have arranged this meeting for everyone who has an interest in dairy farming to join us for the evening, so we can discuss a way forward for the industry.

“The dairy industry is facing some challenges that need to be overcome, including low farm gate prices, bovine TB, CPH rules and regulations and we want to hear your thoughts, concerns and ideas about the current state of the dairy industry.

“Our dairy farmers have suffered quite a bit with low prices over recent years, many producers have seen their milk cheque cut in half and often find themselves having to deal with unfair contracts. The unfortunate truth is that they will have to cope with extreme price volatility in the future and that’s why we want to discuss a way forward with farmers.”

To book your place contact the FUW Anglesey office on 01248 750250.

[caption id="attachment_7851" align="alignleft" width="208"] If you are affected by cross-border issues - then we want you to be part of the discussions![/caption]

We are hosting a discussion group on cross-border farming issues to highlight the problems farmers are facing and to find solutions to the problems on Thursday 4th May, 7pm at Welshpool mart.

If you are affected we would love you to be a part of that discussion group. So gives us a call to book you place at the discussion group - 01686 626889.

The feedback gathered will be fed into discussions at an upcoming cross party group meeting on cross-border issues at the Senedd.

• The Wales-England border is three times the length of the Scotland-England border and there are around 500 Wales-England cross border farms.
• Such farms have to deal with additional complexity in terms of different sets of rules either side of the border. E.g. different animal movement rules, different reporting systems, different environmental rules etc.

We know that payments to such farmers are regularly delayed by months – usually due to poor Rural Payment Agency (England) performance and consistently place them at a significant disadvantage compared with those who are paid within an acceptable timescales by Rural Payments Wales.

Many of those farmer affected may have to borrow money, pay additional interest on loans, and be unable to make the most of market prices buy stock or produce at a time when prices are lower.

All welcome. Light refreshments provided.

[caption id="attachment_7792" align="alignleft" width="198"] FUW President Glyn Roberts[/caption]

Prime Minister Theresa May’s announcement to call a General Election for June 8, has been met with caution by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

FUW President Glyn Roberts commented: “We have long been calling for the creation of a post-Brexit UK agricultural framework and we know discussions between UK and Welsh Government  have been frustratingly slow.

“The timing of this election will do nothing to aid progress in establishing a UK framework for agriculture and we therefore urge the Westminster Government not to ignore the critical issues at hand.

“As the independent voice for Welsh farming, the FUW we will of course continue to remind all parties about the importance of the rural economy and why #FarmingMatters and is actively going to engage with candidates about the future of agriculture in the coming weeks.

“The Union will shortly release its own General Election manifesto outlining our expectations and will work throughout the campaign to ensure MPs understand that the future of the rural economy must be a national priority, now and in the years to come.”

This is not the traditional recipe for bara brith, meaning ‘speckled bread’ as the original recipe was based on an yeasted bread. However this version which is widely served, makes a beautifully moist cake as the dried fruit are soaked overnight in tea.

Serves: 8-10 slices  |  Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 1 hour

Ingredients

400g mixed fruit (e.g. sultanas, raisins, currants)

300ml strong hot tea

250g self raising flour

1 tsp mixed spice

100g dark brown muscovado sugar

1 egg, beaten

honey to glaze

Method

• Put the dried fruit in a bowl and pour over the tea, mix in the sugar and stir well to dissolve. Leave to soak for at least 6 hours or overnight.

• Next day, sift the flour and spice into the soaked fruit (no need to drain the tea) and stir in the egg. Blend well together.

• Preheat the oven to 180°C /Gas 4. Line a 900g loaf tin with bakewell paper and pour in the mixture.

• Bake for approximately 1 hour until the cake has risen and cooked through. Leave to cool on a rack and store for 2 days before eating.

• Serve sliced with butter.

• This mixture can be doubled to make 2 loaves and will keep for up to 7 days.

• Warm a little honey to drizzle over the surface of the warm cake for a glazed topping.

[caption id="attachment_7839" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW Flintshire farmers discussed a wide range of #FarmingMatters with their local Assembly Member Hannah Blythyn.[/caption]

Farmers from Flintshire recently came together to discuss a wide range of #FarmingMatters with their local Assembly Member Hannah Blythyn.

The meeting was hosted by FUW Flintshire member John Worthington at Maes y Groes, Cilcain, where he is the third generation to farm the land.

John, together with his wife Jean and son Gareth, runs a 200 acre beef and sheep farm. They further grow corn for use on the farm and root crops. The farm is also part of the Glastir Entry and Glastir Advanced scheme.

Speaking after the visit, John said: “I would like to thank Hannah Blythyn for meeting us and discussing the many challenges we face as an industry. We raised issues such as lack of broadband, the importance of the rural economy and funding for agriculture post 2020 with her. It gave us farmers a great opportunity to connect with our elected Assembly Member and talk about our hopes and fears. I would also like to thank the businesses who came to support our event, helping us to explain why farming matters so much.”

FUW Flintshire County Chairman Eurwyn Roberts highlighted some of the problems farmers living on the border to England face, saying: “The Wales-England border is three times the length of the Scotland-England border and there are around 500 Wales-England cross border farms.

“Such farms have to deal with additional complexity in terms of different sets of rules either side of the border. E.g. different animal movement rules, different reporting systems, different environmental rules etc.

“Payments to such farmers are regularly delayed by months - usually due to poor Rural Payment Agency (England) performance and consistently place them at a significant disadvantage compared with those who are paid within an acceptable timescales by Rural Payments Wales. Many of those farmer affected may have to borrow money, pay additional interest on loans, and be unable to make the most of market prices buy stock or produce at a time when prices are lower.”

Hannah Blythyn further heard that solutions such as allowing holdings to be treated as purely Welsh from an administrative point of view should be considered.

Following the meeting Hannah Blythyn AM said: “It was good to have the opportunity to hear first-hand about issues affecting farming and rural communities in Delyn. I am committed to working together to secure a sustainable future for farming.”