The Farmers’ Union of Wales is reminding rural communities to stand side by side with those suffering from poor health, ahead of World Suicide Prevention day (Thursday 10 September). 

Close to 800,000 people globally die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Indeed, there are indications that for each adult who died by suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting to take their own life.

Speaking from his farm in North Wales, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “These are difficult times we live in. Many farmers and those living in rural communities often find themselves working alone for most of the day or feel isolated. There are so many uncertainties, stresses, and worries, putting pressure on us that might leave us feeling that we can no longer cope.”

Mr Roberts added that even though those not feeling so good are encouraged to speak up and seek help, sometimes they feel they can’t and it is important therefore to come together as a community, family, and friends. 

Farmers in Glamorgan still don’t know what the future holds for their local livestock mart, with fears growing that livestock trading in Cowbridge will never resume.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has long campaigned for the future of the mart, including calling for a stay of execution on the closure of the mart, which was granted a charter back in 1254 and has been central to town life ever since. 

“We are very concerned that with the closure of the market, which is already being disassembled,  market trading in Cowbridge will never resume again. That is something which will cost our local farmers, already under pressure because of uncertainty over red meat sales post Brexit. We are urging the Council to provide urgent clarity,” said FUW county executive officer Rachel Saunders.

The site provided an opportunity to sell stock directly to buyers, but with its closure on 1 September 2020 the closest alternative is at Raglan, Carmarthen or Brecon meaning significant extra costs for farmers.

‘PGI Welsh Lamb is a family affair that must be protected’ is the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ key message ahead of Love Lamb Week (1-7 September). Love Lamb Week was set up in 2015 by the late Rachel Lumley, a passionate Cumbrian sheep farmer who campaigned for lamb to get the attention it deserves.

Speaking from his North Wales farm, Union President Glyn Roberts said: “ Our Welsh lamb is a family affair from start to finish. From the Welsh family farms who produce it,  to our consumers who enjoy coming together round the table to eat. But we must protect our family farms if we want to continue enjoying this wonderful sustainable, nutritious, food.”

With trade negotiations and Brexit on-going, as well as new farming policy and schemes in the making that could have potentially negative consequences for the sector, Mr Roberts stressed that it was in all our interests to safeguard the family farms of Wales.

Flooding of agricultural land in the county of Meirionnydd could have been avoided, if essential work had been carried out by the responsible authorities, the local branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has stressed.

To showcase the damage to land following recent exceptional flooding, and to explain the work required to fix the problem, the Meirionnydd Branch of the FUW held a series of site meetings with local farmers who have land within the Llanfrothen Internal Drainage District (IDD) near Porthmadog.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) staff also attended the meeting and were shown how the water had flown over the flood bank of the Afon Croesor, which resulted in flooding of excellent agricultural land which is part of the Llanfrothen IDD. 

FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones said: “The Afon Croesor has the status of ‘main river’ and is the responsibility of NRW. The NRW officers were shown trees and overhanging branches which impede the flow of the river, and where maintenance work is urgently required. Floodbanks in urgent need of repairs were also shown, with a request that a detailed inspection is carried out as soon as possible, with a view to making repairs as soon as possible.”