The Farmers’ Union of Wales is looking forward to explore and discuss the most important issues facing the farming industry in Wales, such as rural crime, Brexit, mental health, innovation and diversification, as well as mobile communication at the Royal Welsh Show 2018 (Monday 23 - Thursday 26 July) by hosting a series of seminars and discussion groups.

Monday 23 July

Kick starting the show with a rural crime seminar on Monday 23 July at 11am, the FUW is looking forward to a discussion with Alun Davies AM, Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services; Simon Hart MP, Previous CEO of Countryside Alliance and member of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee; Tim Jones of Natural Resources Wales, Executive Director for Operations North and Mid Wales; and Rob Taylor of North Wales Police and Team Manager of the Rural Crime Prevention Team on matters of wildlife crime and rural affairs in Wales.

The Forum will also present an opportunity to discuss modern slavery in rural communities, which is to be led by an input from Gwent Police.

The afternoon will see conversations turn to the topic that is going to change the face of agriculture forever, as the FUW holds its ‘Brexit: What does the future hold for agriculture ?’ seminar, which will start at 2pm.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is urging all farmers in Wales to respond to a Welsh Government consultation on post-Brexit agricultural and land use policies.

‘Brexit and our land: Securing the future of Welsh farming’, launched today (July 10), expands upon key principles already outlined by the Cabinet Secretary Lesley Griffiths, and proposes replacing direct support for farmers with payments for delivering environmental goods, accompanied by an overarching scheme aimed at farm business improvement and development.

Commenting on the document, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “What is proposed would constitute the most radical change to our farm policies since 2005, and is a world away from the kind of policies previously in place from 1947 onwards.

“Given this, it is essential that farmers take the time to consider them over the coming weeks and months and respond to the consultation appropriately.”

The Welsh Government intends to organise a number of events across Wales later in the year during which farmers and others will be able to learn more about the proposals and ask questions, before the deadline at the end of October.

A report issued by the House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee ‘Brexit: priorities for Welsh agriculture’ has been cautiously welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales today (Monday, July 9).

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “There are some welcome recommendations and acknowledgements in this report and it is certainly good to see that many of the key messages and concerns highlighted by the Union since the referendum result have been taken on board in this report.

“However, we are still waiting on urgent clarity with regard to funding and frameworks and I hope that this report will encourage some positive discussions, which will move these issues forward with some urgency.”

Responding to the recognition of the importance of access to the Single Market as part of the ongoing negotiations, the Union President said: “ We welcome this acknowledgement wholeheartedly and it is something we have called for since before the referendum in 2016.

“Of course, the big question for farmers up and down Wales is where they are going to sell their produce to and under what conditions. Most of the lambs born this year will be sold into a post-Brexit market but nobody knows what that market looks like and where it is. Farmers are getting incredibly anxious about the future with many questioning if it is worth their while to continue producing food at all.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has called on the UK and Welsh Governments to take action to reduce the impact of the dry weather on farms and livestock.