The shock announcement that the Cowbridge Mart is to close, leaving some farmers with a 45 mile trip to sell their stock, will eat into already dwindling returns on livestock.

And now the Farmers’ Union of Wales is 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 every since. 

The Meirionnydd branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is looking forward to a busy day at the County Show (Wednesday, 28 August), which will be held at Harlech.

Union officials, including FUW President Glyn Roberts, will welcome Dafydd Elis Thomas AM and Liz Saville Roberts MP to the marquee for a discussion on farm policy and funding post Brexit, as well as many other farming matters. 

FUW Meirionnydd County Chairman Sion Ifans said: “We look forward to discussing #FarmingMatters at the stand with our members and elected politicians and extend a warm welcome for members, guests and friends of the FUW as in previous years to join us on the day. 

“Union officials and staff, as well as FUW Insurance Services Ltd. will be on hand to answer questions our members may have. The County Branch is also grateful to members and friends of the FUW in the Dinas Mawddwy, Dolgellau and Trawsfynydd areas for taking responsibility for the refreshments on the stand.”

The Meirionnydd Branch of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution will be present at the FUW stand this year throughout the day and in addition North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones will also be present, together with Rob Taylor and members of the Rural Crime Team addressing the issue of  farm thefts in the county. 

Farmers’ Union of Wales President Glyn Roberts has congratulated Theresa Villiers on her appointment as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and has issued an open invitation to her to visit farms in Wales in order to better understand the unique challenges that Welsh family farms face in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The ‘stiff upper lip’ is synonymous with the farming community and most farmers just get on with things. Many may be hiding problems from themselves and their families and friends and talking about personal feelings is uncomfortable for many.

Recognising the problem the Farmers’ Union of Wales made a commitment at the Royal Welsh Show 2017 to raise awareness of mental health problems in rural communities and to continue the conversation about the wider issues surrounding mental health in rural areas.

FUW President Glyn Roberts was therefore delighted to announce that the DPJ Foundation, a mental health charity which aims to support people in rural communities with poor mental health, especially men in the agricultural sector, has been chosen as the FUW Presidents charitable cause for 2019 - 2021.

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Show on Wednesday 24 July, he said: “1 in 4 people will suffer with mental health problems in their lifetime, it is not an uncommon illness and one which we need to work together to tackle.