The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the white paper on Brexit launched by Welsh Government First Minister Carwyn Jones and the leader of Plaid Cymru Leanne Wood today.

The joint Welsh Brexit plan calls for continued participation in the single market, as well as a "balanced approach" to immigration linking migration to jobs.

First Minister Carwyn Jones stated that the paper "balances the message which the Welsh people gave us" of the Brexit vote "with the economic reality that makes participation in the single market so important for the future prosperity of Wales, and indeed the UK as a whole".

FUW President Glyn Roberts responded to the plans, saying: “I welcome the stance taken by Welsh Government in their Brexit white paper, which acknowledges that “continued participation in the single market to support the future prosperity of Wales” is essential”.

“The livestock producers which make up the vast majority of Welsh farmers are particularly reliant on exports to the continent, and the FUW has made it clear since the referendum that full and unfettered access is essential to Wales.

“Around 30 percent of Welsh lambs were exported to continental Europe, and the complexity of pan-EU food supply chains means there are acute threats for other sectors.”

The Brexit white paper also call on the UK Government to make good on promises that Wales would not lose funding as a result of Brexit, as well as calling for recognition that there needs to be a "fundamentally different" relationship between the devolved governments and the UK government.

The FUW has continually stressed that a transition period of at least 10 years is necessary in order to phase in and allow the industry to adjust to new agricultural policies post-Brexit and in addition, has argued that agricultural support following our exit from the European Union should be maintained at levels which at least reflect those levels which would have been in place should the UK have voted to remain in the EU.

Furthermore, recognising the different role the Welsh and devolved administrations have to play has been welcomed recently by the FUW.

Speaking about the role the Welsh Government should play in negotiating our exit from the EU, Mr Roberts said: “Devolution should be respected within an overarching UK support framework in the context of making our withdrawal from the European Union and as such we welcomed Theresa May’s commitment to work with the devolved administrations and her recognition that Wales is different to the rest of the UK.  That call has today been mirrored by Welsh Government and we will continue to work with them to develop a framework that takes Wales’ unique position into account.”

A third of Wales’ population live in rural areas where farming, and businesses which rely on agriculture, play an important role in local economies; in sparsely populated areas, where centres of population have less than 2,000 people, around 10 per cent of workers are employed in agriculture. That equivalent to 14 per cent of those employed outside the public sector.

“Taking these figures into consideration, the FUW has highlighted for many years the wider role agriculture plays in terms of supporting Wales’ rural and wider economy and that’s why we are stressing the fact that agriculture needs to be allowed to adjust to new policies post-Brexit and that support is maintained in line with other EU countries.

“The chances of a bad trade deal or no deal at all increase the faster the UK government proceeds, which is why the FUW has consistently called for a lengthy transition period. Otherwise we risk being like lemmings rushing towards a cliff edge."

[caption id="attachment_7554" align="alignleft" width="300"] Year 5 and 6 pupils from Ysgol Bro Tryweryn, Y Bala enjoy a day out on farm[/caption]

School children from Meirionnydd enjoyed a hands-on day out at a Bala farm, when they visited Farmers’ Union of Wales Meirionnydd Vice Chairman Geraint Davies and his wife Rachael at Fedw Arian Uchaf, Y Bala.

The pupils from year 5 and 6 at Ysgol Bro Tryweryn, Y Bala, were introduced to farming and environmental issues and got involved with hedge planting and other jobs such as fencing , and erecting gates, with the assistance of Arwel Morris and Billy Taylor of the Snowdonia National Park.

The children also learnt about the old tradition of hedgelaying, a country craft which has been practiced for hundreds of years but it is just as relevant today as it always has been.

[caption id="attachment_7555" align="alignright" width="300"] The children got involved with hedge planting and other jobs.[/caption]

Geraint Davies is the 3rd generation tenant farmer at Fedw Arian Uchaf, which belongs to the Rhiwlas Estate, Bala. Together with his wife, he farms 1200 acres carrying 1000 breeding ewes with 200 replacements and 30 suckler cows.

Following the visit, Geraint Davies said: “It was an absolute pleasure to have the children here on the farm. It is always great if you can take the classroom outside and get a hands-on experience and the children did really well.

“Educating the next generation about where their food comes from and showing them why farming matters is really important to us and I hope the kids enjoyed the experience as much as we did.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the recognition of the role devolved administrations should play in planning for our departure from the European Union.

As Prime Minister Theresa May outlined her 12 point Brexit plan, providing  more clarity, she said: “I have also been determined from the start that the devolved administrations should be fully engaged in this process [...] Part of that will mean working very carefully to ensure that – as powers are repatriated from Brussels back to Britain – the right powers are returned to Westminster, and the right powers are passed to the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”

Responding to the announcement, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Today’s announcement offers us more clarity. That’s something we have been asking for since the referendum result. Now we know what we are dealing with and what our starting position is.

“Devolution should be respected within an overarching UK support framework in the context of making our withdrawal from the European Union and as such we welcome Theresa May’s commitment to work with the devolved administrations and her recognition that Wales is different to the rest of the UK.

“With this in mind and irrespective of what trade deals are in place post-Brexit, within the UK, Welsh farmers will compete against their counterparts in other devolved regions. We therefore need a common framework across the UK which minimises unfair competition and market distortion.”

Mr Roberts added that a UK agricultural framework should therefore 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.

He however stressed that there needs to be flexibility within that framework to allow devolved governments to make decisions which are appropriate for their regions and that specific ring-fenced funding for agriculture should be allocated to Wales outside the Barnett Formula, and should be administered by the Welsh Government.

“The FUW will continue in its close working relationship with the UK and Welsh Government to find solutions to the problems agriculture is facing and work together to exploit the opportunities that present themselves to us,” added Mr Roberts

[caption id="attachment_7539" align="alignleft" width="200"] Emma and Neil Rose of Rhosyn farm are in charge of breakfast on Thursday 26 January, using their own home-made sausages, bacon, black pudding and fresh eggs straight from the farm[/caption]

Have you tasted Carmarthenshire ham, Carmarthenshire Cheese Company’s Boksburg Gold, Rhosyn bacon, sausages and black pudding? And how about starting your day with such tasty food? The next best chance to enjoy some of the finest Welsh food produce is by attending a breakfast function in Carmarthenshire.

The first breakfast has been arranged at Pontiets Rugby Club on Thursday, January 26. It starts at 8.30am and Emma and Neil Rose of Rhosyn farm are in charge of breakfast, using their own home-made sausages, bacon, black pudding and fresh eggs straight from the farm.

The couple take pride in breeding their own stock, outdoor rearing in the most idyllic surroundings in Carmarthenshire and giving their animals the best quality of care and attention during their time on the farm.

Farming pockets of land covering approximately 100 acres, they use both the Gloucester Old Spots and Herdwicks for clearing the rough ground before returning to pasture, which certainly adds to the taste of the meat that Rhosyn produce. That’s something you will be able to judge and of course enjoy for yourselves if you join the breakfast at Pontiets Rugby Club.

On Friday, January 27, the Pumpkin Patch in Carmarthen takes centre stage at breakfast time. The breakfast here starts at 9am and takes a slightly different approach to the traditional breakfast.

Lisa Fearn from the Pumpkin Patch Cookery School and author of ‘Blas / Taste’ will be hosting a breakfast with a twist. This promises to be an exciting start to the day with Lisa’s continental fusion breakfast made with wonderful Welsh produce.

The two breakfasts have been organised as part of the FUW’s Farmhouse Breakfast Week campaign (January 21 – January 28), which aims to raise the profile of Welsh produce and get politicians, key stakeholders and the general public to appreciate the important role the food and drink sector plays in their everyday lives.

[caption id="attachment_7540" align="alignright" width="300"] "Let’s start our day together and enjoy the quality food we have on offer." - Nerys Edwards[/caption]

Nerys Edwards, the FUW’s Carmarthen County Executive Officer Assistant in charge of organising the breakfast functions, said: “Those 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.

“But we want you to be a part of what we do too. So join us for breakfast 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.

“And really there is no better way to to do it than over good food and a cup of tea. Let’s start our day together and enjoy the quality food we have on offer.”

To book your seat at one of the Carmarthen breakfasts, please call the office on 01267237974.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales described the prospect of a free trade deal with New Zealand and losing continental markets as a result of a ‘hard Brexit’ as a perfect storm for Welsh Agriculture.

The comments came amid growing speculation that the Government will this week announce its intention to pursue a ‘hard Brexit’ by leaving the EU’s single market and customs union, and just days after Prime Minister Theresa May revealed the UK was seeking a free trade agreement with New Zealand.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The livestock producers which make up the vast majority of Welsh farmers are particularly reliant on exports to the continent, and we have made it clear since the referendum that full and unfettered access is essential to Wales.”

Mr Roberts said around 30 percent of Welsh lambs were exported to continental Europe, and that the complexity of pan-EU food supply chains meant there were acute threats for other sectors.

“Certain cuts of meat are preferred in the UK, while others are preferred on the continent, so in order to make up the value of a carcass it is essential that current markets are kept open.”

Responding to the threat of a free trade deal with New Zealand, Mr Roberts said: “I wrote to the former Prime Minister in July, highlighting our concerns regarding such a deal with a country which is in such direct competition with ourselves.”

As far as the opportunities represented by such a deal were concerned, Mr Roberts described these as negligible.

“New Zealand has a population of around 4.5 million, which is about one percent of the size of the EU, and is 11,500 miles away.

“A free trade deal may be a great opportunity for New Zealand, but the benefits for the UK as a whole are zero, and for agriculture are extremely negative.”

Mr Roberts said he was concerned that the deal was being proposed for reasons of political expediency, and that gaining a market of 4.5 million consumers on the other side of the planet could not make up for the loss of a 500 million consumer market on our doorstep.

[caption id="attachment_7530" align="alignleft" width="300"] Meirionnydd farmers stress the importance of tariff-free access to the EU market[/caption]

Farmers in Meirionnydd recently came together to showcase what farming in the county is like and to share some of their thoughts and concerns about the industry given the uncertainty, created by the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, for the sector.

They were joined by Labour AM for Mid and West Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan at Esgairgyfela, Aberdyfi, which is run by Dewi Owen and his wife Meinir.

The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of continued access to the single market and farmers expressed their fear of the possibility of facing tariffs when exporting produce to the EU, as well as their concern about what support agriculture can expect once the UK leaves the EU.

Farmers’ Union of Wales Finance and Organisation Committee delegate Dewi Owen, whose farm extends to approximately 280 acres and is home to 400 Welsh Mule Ewes and 10 Pedigree Charolais Cattle, said: “Tariff-free access to EU markets is essential, particularly for the Welsh sheep sector and we reinforced that message when we met with Eluned Morgan here at the farm.

[caption id="attachment_7531" align="alignright" width="300"] (l-r) Meinir Owen, Eluned Morgan and Dewi Owen[/caption]

“The FUW has and will continue to highlight that post-Brexit imports to the UK should be subject to genuine equivalence in terms of environmental and animal health standards and any agreement which allows free access to UK markets for EU agricultural produce must be accompanied by financial support for UK producers equivalent to the support received by EU farmers.

“It absolutely vital that governments also proactively support UK food and farming through their own procurement policies, and by ensuring competition rules favour rather than disadvantage UK industries.”

Talking about trade FUW members highlighted that for agriculture, membership of the customs union has meant significant protection from non-EU food imports, increased competition from produce from other Member States, and unfettered access to EU markets – all within a single farm support framework and system of common rules.

Huw Jones, FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Office, said: “We further discussed possible future trading relationships with the rest of the world in a post Brexit era and the danger of seeing increased competition from larger economies with lower animal welfare, food safety and environmental standards.

“Most concerning for our farmers are proposals by senior politicians from across the political spectrum to increase imports of cheap food from countries with environmental, animal health, and in some cases human rights standards which fall well short of those legally required in the UK.”

Members of the Union stressed that such policies would not only have a severe detrimental impact on UK agriculture and rural communities such as those found in Meirionnydd, but would also lead to an overall increase in environmental degradation and a fall in animal welfare standards – both issues on which the UK electorate has strong views.

Mr Jones added saying that the loss of close and relatively affluent continental markets, and the degree to which these can be realistically replaced by markets which are much further afield, given the costs, logistics and reality of gaining similar access to alternative, by definition more distant markets is a real concern.

“Superficially, trade balance figures suggest that leaving the EU’s free trade area may benefit some products through the removal of imported produce. However, such benefits could only be realised if there is political support for trade policies which reduce imports from all other countries.

“Complicating such perceived benefits is the seasonality of production, and the degree to which sectors rely on exporting certain types of products and cuts (‘quarters’) which do not generally appeal to UK consumers in order to balance carcass and product value.

“This is a particular concern for the Welsh sheep sector, where production is necessarily extremely seasonal and includes a significant proportion of lighter lambs (around 15 per cent) for which there is little domestic demand, and exports to the continent of certain cuts and offal make up a significant proportion of carcass value for the same reason,” added Mr Jones.

[caption id="attachment_7532" align="alignleft" width="300"] Tariff-free access to EU markets is essential, particularly for the Welsh sheep sector, Meirionnydd farmers tell Labour AM for Mid and West Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan at Esgairgyfela, Aberdyfi.[/caption]

Union officials and members also discussed the recent consultations on bovine TB, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, the importance of Agri Environment schemes to a county such as Meirionnydd, the opportunities for diversification with Tourism and Renewable Energy, lack of processing facilities and the importance of succession within farming enterprises.

Following the meeting Mid and West Wales AM Eluned Morgan said: “It was extremely valuable to meet representatives from Meirionnydd FUW.  They shared their concerns with me about their fears about the industry post Brexit. I hope that I was able to reassure them that I am happy to be a mouthpiece in the Assembly for the need to focus on rural development and the central role that agriculture plays in the food and drink industry in Wales which employs over 220,000 people.”