[caption id="attachment_7836" align="alignleft" width="300"] The scheme offers a 40% contribution towards capital investments in specific types of equipment and machinery[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the launch of a Farm Business Grant set to deliver £40 million over the next four years.

The scheme will allow farm businesses to invest in key equipment relating to cattle, sheep and pig management as well as general equipment relating to crop management, energy and resource efficiency, and Information and Communication Technology.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The FUW long emphasised the importance of making best use of rural development funding through direct funding of technology which meets economic and environmental objectives, and this announcement is therefore welcome.”

The scheme offers a 40% contribution towards capital investments in specific types of equipment and machinery, with grants worth between £3,000 and £12,000.

Three application windows lasting two months are planned, with the first due to open in May 2017, followed by one in August 2017 and the third in February 2018.

“The equipment for which grants are available is limited to a set list of items, each of which has had to be approved by the European Commission, and as with all such schemes there are a number of eligibility requirements which some will find frustrating.

“Nevertheless, the progress which has been made in terms of getting to the point of launching this scheme is welcome,” added Mr Roberts.

Only one application will be approved per business throughout the lifetime of the Scheme.

Further information on the application criteria and guidance notes will be published by Welsh Government shortly and can be accessed on the Welsh Government website.

The triggering of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty means the need to progress on a vast range of issues is more acute than ever, the Farmers’ Union of Wales has said.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Now that Article 50 has been triggered we know there are just two years in which to deal with a huge volume of work.

“As well as pressing issues with regard to trade deals and negotiating the best possible exit options for the UK, we also need good progress in parallel in terms of reaching understanding and agreement between devolved administrations if we are to develop a home market that works for all.”

Hours after last year’s EU referendum outcome was announced, the FUW called for the Brexit process to be taken at a sensible pace, given the huge amount of planning and work the process would entail.

In February, The House of Commons Library described the Great Repeal Bill, the mechanism by which all EU-related legislation will be reviewed and transposed, as ‘potentially one of the largest legislative projects ever undertaken in the UK.’

“Implementing the Great Repeal Bill is just one element of the work which needs doing over the next two years. Time is running out fast, and moving forward in terms of developing a UK framework for agriculture is just one element of that work,” said Mr Roberts.

Following consultation with members, the FUW agreed last autumn that a UK agricultural framework should be put in place ‘which prevents unfair competition between devolved regions and secures and protects adequate long term funding for agriculture, while also respecting devolved powers over agriculture and the need for flexibility within that framework which allows devolved governments to make decisions which are appropriate for their regions.’

The need to move forward in developing a framework was highlighted in a recent letter to all UK agricultural ministers.

“Such a framework must be discussed with stakeholders and agreed between devolved governments and agricultural ministers, and the wider economic, environmental and social importance of agriculture to our economies make it imperative that such discussions do not become an arena for separate political battles. We can not have an ‘England centric’ solution imposed on us by the UK Government.

“We are concerned that discussions at the highest level regarding the need for and nature of such a framework are not progressing at the appropriate rate, particularly given the very short period during which important decisions need to be made, and that’s why we are repeating our call for all the Governments to work closely and cooperatively to ensure the wellbeing of our rural communities is not compromised,” added the Union President.

In evidence recently given to the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, the FUW highlighted both the need to move forward at an appropriate pace and the dangers of trying to implement a wholly new system prematurely.

“In recent years we have seen what can happen when even slight changes are made to systems and rules which affect agriculture, particularly in England and in Scotland. And the problems in England in 2005 and 2006 are well documented.

“We have to have a gradual transition to any new rules, and that means making sure there are few differences between the systems which are in place on the last day of EU membership and the first day of Brexit. A UK framework needs to be in place to achieve this.

“It is a definite case of needing more haste and less speed,” added Mr Roberts.

[caption id="attachment_7816" align="aligncenter" width="300"] ‘Llafur Cefn Gwlad – Labour Friends of Farming’ launch.[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales highlighted that farmers in Wales and the UK are at the top of their game and reached out to people to strengthen the relationship between producer and consumer at the Labour Party annual Spring conference in Llandudno.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We had a great time here today at the Labour Party conference reaching out to people and telling them about the fantastic work our farmers do every day of the year. Our farmers are the top of the crop and produce fantastic food for us 365 days a year.

“It was also a fantastic opportunity to remind people of the important work our farmers do - they don’t just produce food, which is recognised worldwide for its superb quality, taste and outstanding animal health and welfare standards but they are the custodians of the countryside we all love so much.

“Our farmers manage 1.8 million hectares of land in Wales; that’s over 80% of the land area in Wales and the Welsh countryside that is managed by your local farmer provides the backdrop for the tourism industry which is worth over £2.5 billion.

“And farming is also the cornerstone of the £6.1 billion Welsh food and drink supply chain industry, which employs 76,000 people in the food and farming sector. It’s worth remembering that all of this also helps to retain our young people in rural communities.

“That’s why it is so important to remind people that #FarmingMatters and why the FUW continues to strive for the right deal for our farming communities once we make an exit from the EU.”

In addition, the FUW was pleased to host the launch a new partnership ‘Llafur Cefn Gwlad – Labour Friends of Farming’ at its stand. The partnership between the Labour party and the Farmers’ Union of Wales, aims to stress the importance of backing the industry as the UK exits the European Union.  

“The FUW is delighted to be a part of this new partnership. It is essential that we all work together to get the backing for agriculture we desperately need once we make an exit from the EU and I hope that through this initiative we will get the message that #FarmingMatters across to key decision makers,” added Mr Roberts.

[caption id="attachment_7810" align="alignleft" width="200"] FUW Ceredigion CEO Mared Jones[/caption]

The closure of Lloyds Bank in Tregaron has sparked criticism from the Farmers’ Union of Wales in Ceredigion, who describe the closure as devastating news for rural businesses.

Mared Jones, the FUW’s Ceredigion County Executive Officer said: “The closure of rural banks will have a detrimental effect on the area, as they serve not only villages and small towns but many of the neighbourhoods in surrounding areas, as well as providing employment to local people.

“It will be a great loss to residents and local businesses, particularly the elderly or residents who are unable to travel to the nearest town. The closures will of course also affect small businesses, as they will have to travel further afield for their banking needs.

“Lloyds Bank was the last bank in Tregaron, which now leaves the town with no banking facilities and we are seeing banks here in Lampeter reducing their opening hours. Sadly even Barclays Bank are now only open 4 days a week.”

The FUW is particularly concerned as internet banking is not always an option in rural areas; many people will not have an appropriate internet connection- if they have a connection at all, and especially the elderly may not be familiar with IT and the process of doing their banking online.

“For many telephone banking is impractical, as they prefer to deal with their personal finances on a one-to-one basis and mobile banking is limited in many rural areas. It is worth considering as well that some people may not be able to get to mobile banks during the short time they are present in villages.

“With more and more rural services and businesses being closed down, we must also acknowledge that it is becoming less and less attractive for young families and indeed business owners to remain in the countryside.

“If the problem of rural depopulation is not addressed with some urgency it could have severe consequences for our rural communities and with that also our rural economy.

“It is clear that if we want to ensure that Wales develops its full potential in being a rural economic powerhouse, we must make it attractive for working families to stay and also encourage vital services like business banking to remain available in our countryside.

“The provision of acceptable broadband services is an increasingly critical part of meeting the needs of rural Wales,” added Mared Jones.

[caption id="attachment_7807" align="alignleft" width="200"] FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright[/caption]

The Cross Compliance penalty regime for bovine TB tests have been branded ‘immoral’ by the Farmers’ Union of Wales, which says the penalties add significantly to the health and safety risks of testing cattle.

From January 1, 2015, tiered cross compliance penalties for late TB testing have seen cattle keepers receive financial penalties in relation to the number of days a TB test is late.  However, the failure of the system to take account of test delays caused by health and safety concerns means farmers can be penalised for situations which are outside of their control.

The revelation comes despite repeated warnings by the FUW that such circumstances should be taken into account, and assurances given by Cabinet Secretary Lesley Griffiths in response to correspondence that “...some situations which lead to a TB test becoming overdue are unavoidable and the processes in place acknowledge this fact.”

Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Senior Policy Officer, said: “The application of zero-tolerance financial penalties for tests that have had to be delayed for justifiable health and safety reasons is shamefully inappropriate, and basically means there is a financial penalty for farmers who fail to place themselves and their vets in harm’s way.”

Where a TB test has to be abandoned due to circumstances which could endanger lives - for example, where animals become dangerously agitated - animals will invariably miss the bovine TB testing window due to the need to wait a further 60 days before retesting.

Testing cattle for TB prior to this 60 day window is not permitted under current domestic and EU law as it would render the test invalid.

However, under the regulations all tests which are more than 30 days overdue are subject to a 5 percent penalty, with the failure being categorised as a ‘severe breach’ of Cross Compliance - placing farmers in a ‘Catch 22’ situation where they can either risk health and safety or incur a financial penalty.

Dr Wright added: “Reports of injuries during TB testing are common and there have sadly been a number of fatalities across the UK during TB testing.

“When the current regime was consulted upon in 2014, the FUW made it clear that penalties should not be applied where the failure to test was outside the control of the cattle keeper. Since then, the issue has been raised repeatedly with Welsh Government officials, and we have also written to Cabinet Secretary Lesley Griffiths regarding the matter.

“It seem that our concerns are being ignored and in a way which makes a mockery of the Welsh Government’s commitment to the Wales Farm Safety Partnership.”

[caption id="attachment_7797" align="alignleft" width="300"] Byron Davies MP, FUW President Glyn Roberts and Craig Williams MP[/caption]

Farmers’ Union of Wales officials reinforced the difference between Wales and England in terms of agriculture, at the Welsh Conservative Party Spring Conference in Cardiff.

Speaking at the event was FUW President Glyn Roberts, who said: “Agriculture in the UK and in Wales has to be profitable and sustainable. In Wales the family farm is the cornerstone of much of our agriculture and our way of life. Far more so than in England. Therefore we must ensure that the role of such farms in rural Wales is recognised.

“Welsh agriculture fundamentally differs in terms of need, product and social importance. Hence why we can’t have an ‘England Centric’ policy once we leave the EU. We need the UK Government to appreciate the difference and repatriate powers from Brussels to the Welsh Government, ideally within a new UK framework.”

The Union President further highlighted that the Farmers’ Union of Wales is the only Union that speaks exclusively on behalf of Welsh farmers, without fear or favour, unfettered by sectional or external financial interests.

He said that given the political uncertainty and the unclear future facing farming, one must remember why the FUW is in existance. "This Union was formed in 1955 when the voice of Welsh farming was not being heard in London. We will not let that voice go unheard again.

“So this is exactly what we will continue to do -  we will fight for the survival of farming in Wales and those businesses who derive an income from agriculture. Let us not forget that Welsh agriculture’s gross output is almost £1.5 Billion and that the food and drinks exports are worth £302 million to the economy of Wales.

[caption id="attachment_7798" align="alignright" width="300"] Byron Davies MP, Darren Millar AM, FUW Gwent CEO Glyn Davies, Nick Ramsey AM and Paul Davies AM[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_7799" align="alignleft" width="300"] David Melding AM with FUW President Glyn Roberts[/caption]

“There are things happening in regards to our exit from the EU. Whilst the focus will be on the big issues of exit negotiations, there are critical UK issues that need to be resolved through discussion and agreement with devolved nations.

“But, we can work in parallel and continue to plan our future here at home and that’s why I urge our devolved administrations to work together closely and with a sense of urgency in developing the necessary UK agricultural framework,” added Glyn Roberts.

The Union President proceeded to say that: “If we value our communities, our public services, our countryside, our heritage, our schools and our jobs, then we must protect them.

“We can have a prosperous future for the sector after we leave the EU and there are plenty of opportunities to be explored but a lot of it depends on the willingness of our politicians to recognise how different farming across the devolved nations is and that they have very different requirements.”