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.”

The Farmers' Union of Wales is warning the agriculture industry to abide by coronavirus rules in livestock markets - or risk outbreaks in the farming community and market closures.

FUW Livestock, Wool and Marts Committee Chairman Morgan Jones-Parry said: "Markets play a key role in our supply chains. They are an essential outlet for our finished and store animals, and also play a central role in terms of buying and selling breeding animals."

Mr Jones-Parry said that while the overwhelming majority attending markets were abiding by coronavirus rules, a minority were slipping into old habits in terms of contact with others.

"When you've been attending markets for decades, it's easy to slip into old habits and forget we are still in the grips of a dangerous pandemic - especially in many of our rural communities which have been relatively untouched by the pandemic. We need to keep it that way, and shouldn't be lulled into a false sense of security - and we mustn't forget that many farming families have lost loved ones to the virus," said Mr Jones-Parry.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has responded with concern to the recently launched Welsh Government Clean Air Plan, stating that it must not betray farmers.

The plan, launched last week, aims to improve air quality and reduce the impacts of air pollution on human health, biodiversity, the natural environment and the economy by working jointly across sectors to put in place evidenced based policy, legislation, regulations and investment to reduce air pollution in line with international air quality standards.

Furthermore, the Welsh Government stated it will introduce a new law to tackle agricultural pollution by in effect introducing EU Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) legislation for the whole of Wales, as well as a National Minimum Standards based on the verifiable standards in Cross Compliance.

Responding to the announcement, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “As farmers we take the state of our environment very seriously. It affects everything we do and it is in our interest to work together with Governments and others to achieve the best possible standards. Whilst this plan is focussed in the main on urban areas, where the worst pollution by far exists, the elements relating to our rural areas would in fact undermine the good work that is already being done by our farmers while also devastating businesses. 

In response to a UK Government white paper on internal markets, the Farmers’ Union of Wales has stressed the importance of protecting Welsh farmers against unfair competition from other parts of the UK and countries across the globe, and that Welsh devolution must be respected.

In his introduction to the UK Internal Market White Paper, Alok Sharma MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, highlights how increasing differences between rules and standards applied by different Governments in the UK’s four nations after Brexit could cause market distortion, discrimination and unfair competition for businesses in a way not seen for hundreds of years.

The White Paper therefore proposes measures to prevent such impacts based on the principles of ‘non-discrimination’ and ‘mutual recognition’

FUW Head of Policy, Dr Nick Fenwick said: “We are glad the UK Government has woken up to the need to take this issue seriously as it has previously been kicked into the long grass because it is so politically contentious.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has responded positively to news that there are plans to bring full fibre broadband to an additional three million homes and businesses in some of the UK’s most isolated rural communities, but stresses it must really reach them. 

The connection to 3.2 million UK premises, which was given the go-ahead after an Ofcom consultation, is reported to be part of a £12bn investment by Openreach to build full fibre infrastructure to 20 million premises throughout the UK by the end of this decade. 

Places set to benefit include Aberystwyth in west Wales, Millom in Cumbria, Thurso in north-east Scotland, and Ballycastle in County Antrim. Openreach is due to publish the full list of the 251 locations, referred to as Area 3, where it will build the new network. Ofcom has estimated there are 9.6 million homes and businesses situated in this final third of the UK.

Responding to the announcement, FUW Ceredigion county chairman Morys Ioan said: “The last few months have served as a stark example of how vital connectivity is. Our own Union staff, many of whom live in rural areas, have been working from home and we have continued to assist members with digital paperwork for their farm businesses. Without an internet connection this would not have been possible. 

“It is really good news that this extra funding is being directed at rural communities but we must make sure that it really does go to those premises who currently are not benefitting from full fibre broadband. Our rural towns and villages have been left behind in the race for better and faster connectivity and it is critical for the competitiveness and viability of rural businesses, and the economy, that tangible improvements are made now. The FUW has stressed on many occasions that those without a connection cannot diversify their businesses, that they cannot support their children’s education and that they cannot connect readily with Government programmes for advice and support payments as they are mandated to do.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is urging farmers to be vigilant following alerts by South Wales Police that there has been an increase in dog thefts across the UK.

FUW Glamorgan County Executive Officer Rachel Saunders said: “Whilst recent statistics don’t show an increase in the South Wales policing area and these crimes are extremely rare, vigilance is the best policy. Dog theft is very distressing for both owner and pet and we urge our members and the public to not just be aware of the problem, but to take active steps to reduce the risk of their dog being stolen. Please also report all suspicious dog sales to the police on 101 or Trading Standards.”

Advice from South Wales Police urges dog owners to avoid leaving dogs in the garden or outside kennels if you are not home, to think twice before leaving your dog alone, secured outside a shop or any other location, to ensure your dog’s microchip information is up to date and to have a current photo of your dog.

For further advice on how to protect your dog from being stolen visit: https://fuw.org.uk/en/news/14048-tips-to-reduce-the-risk-of-dog-theft