Farmers who have entered into the Glastir Organic scheme are being reminded by the Farmers’ Union of Wales to submit their Glastir Organic Business Plan (GOBP), to comply with their contracts, by the end of the year.

The GOBP must be completed and submitted to Rural Payments Wales (RPW) by 31 December 2016 via RPW Online.

FUW Policy Officer Charlotte Priddy said: “It is absolutely vital that members submit their GOBP by no later than 31 December as their 2016 annual claim will not be validated otherwise.

“A business plan template is available for existing Glastir Organic contract holders on the Welsh Government website, which members may find helpful.”

Mrs Priddy added:“If your Organic Control Body ceases to certify any of the land included in your Glastir Organic Contract, that land will be removed from your Glastir Organic Contract and any payments received to date may be recovered.”

The FUW is further reminding farmers that the completed plan must be submitted to their Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online account.

“You can complete the plan by typing your answers into the spaces provided, or by printing the plan and handwriting the answers. However, if you handwrite the answers, you will have to scan the plan to enable it to be submitted to RPW Online,” added Mrs Priddy.

Further advice and guidance notes can be found on the Welsh Government website here

From left, Dairy Show president Brian Thomas, Rita Jones and FUW deputy president Brian Thomas.[/caption]

Rita Jones, Head of Wales Farm Liaison Service at Welsh Government Agricultural Department at Carmarthen, has been recognised for her services to agriculture in Carmarthen with the Farmers’ Union of Wales - United Counties Agricultural and Hunters Society award.

FUW Carmarthen County Executive Officer David Waters, said: “Rita is highly thought of by farmers and all associated with agriculture in general.

“Her contribution, knowledge and help to Welsh farmers over the years has been invaluable. She’s always very helpful and as a farmer’s daughter, she understands the challenges all farmers face. Rita is very deserving of this award.”

The Welsh Government’s Farm Liaison Service, which provides guidance and advice for farmers on new rules and regulations, was developed from a pilot scheme that was established by Rita Jones in 2001 in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis.

Since that time Rita has offered an invaluable service to local farmers, particularly in terms of assistance with record keeping and form filling requirements associated with the rules of the Single Payment Scheme, which was introduced in 2015.

Rita Jones has played a crucial role in bringing the Welsh Government and agricultural industry closer together and continues to play an important role in assisting farmers in Carmarthenshire and throughout the whole of Wales.

Hailing from Cynwyl Elfed, Rita is a founder member and was the first secretary of Cynwyl Elfed Young Farmers Club. She has a long association with the YFC movement in Carmarthenshire and has assisted many local YFC members with preparing for Public speaking competitions over the years.

In addition, Rita Jones was awarded the MBE in 2006 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to Welsh agriculture and in 2008 she was made an Associate of the Royal Agricultural Society.

Rita Jones was also made a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society in 2013 for her contribution to the agricultural industry.

[caption id="attachment_7223" align="aligncenter" width="300"] From left, Sion Evans, Liz Saville Roberts MP, Hywel Evans and Meirionnydd County Chairman Euros Puw.[/caption]

The Meirionnydd branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has hosted a farm visit to discuss #FarmingMatters with Meirion Dwyfor MP Liz Saville Roberts.

The visit was held on Friday, November 4, at Marchlyn, Pennal near Machynlleth and was hosted by FUW members Sion Evans and his parents Hywel and Ceinwen Evans.

The farm extends to 360 acres, all of which is improved land with approximately 25 acres kept for silage. Stocking consists of 25 suckler cows and 550 ewes - mainly Welsh mountain in a self contained flock.

The family joined the Glastir Entry scheme in 2014, and see farming and conservation going hand in hand.

They have also diversified into tourism, with farm buildings having been renovated as Bed and Breakfast accommodation.

Speaking about the diversification of the farm business, Sion Evans, said: “Income streams from diversifications are crucial for when farming itself is not so profitable. For many it is absolutely essential to add that second or third income avenue as it helps to consolidate the business. Diversification into tourism really helps us keep going and it maintains the family farm structure, which is the backbone of farming in Wales and adds so much value to the rural economy.”

In addition, the farm income is supplemented by Sion working on local farms as a contractor for mainly shearing and fencing.

FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones, said: “This was an excellent opportunity to have detailed discussion about farming matters and the rural economy, and to hear first hand from Sion and Hywel about what challenges they are currently facing. I would like to thank the Evans family for hosting the visit and of course I would like to thank Liz Saville Roberts for meeting us at the farm.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is calling for urgent clarity on Brexit following the High Court ruling that Parliament must vote on whether the UK can start the process of leaving the EU.

The decision by the High Court means that the government cannot trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to begin formal exit negotiations with the EU on its own, which the Union says adds further to the confusion already surrounding Brexit planning.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We need clarity! This decision has introduced more instability at a time when we can really do without it. The Brexit planning process has occupied us for many months now and we welcomed the Prime Minister’s recent announcement about a timeline for Article 50 initiation. To throw that timeline away now is not in the least bit helpful. And of course it may have huge implications, not just on the timing of Brexit but possibly on the terms of Brexit.”

The FUW is meeting with Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns next week and will be discussing the issue further.