Writing this column makes me realise just how quickly a month goes by! This month has been slightly more unusual though as I lacked some inspiration about the subject of the column.

However, by being part of the union’s Business Conference last month, I gained some inspiration. As staff, our vision is "The Union: United - as One" which ultimately leads to the union's vision of "Creating thriving, sustainable family farms in Wales”. The family farm is at the heart of the FUW and is an important and vital part of our wider communities.

So, the subject of this month’s Cornel Clecs was right under my nose so to speak - the family farm! The official definition of a family farm is: “A farm that is owned and operated by a family, especially one that has been handed down from one generation to another”.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has called for further UK Government assurances that vulnerable sectors in Wales, such as the sheep industry, will be protected in a no-deal Brexit scenario. The call comes following reports that government intends to cut 80-90% of all tariffs imposed on goods imported into Britain.

Speaking from his farm in North Wales, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Over the last couple of weeks we have met with Government officials and former Minister for Farming George Eustice, and have stressed that the livestock, and in particular the sheep industry, is the among the most vulnerable under almost all the Brexit scenarios possible.

“Given the dominance of the livestock sector in Wales and that we have 30% of the UK sheep population, our nation is particularly exposed to the dangers, so UK Government needs to ensure tariffs and Tariff Rate Quotas are set at levels which protect our industry.”

Mr Roberts said he had been encouraged by a number of commitments to protect UK agriculture given in recent weeks by Secretary of State Michael Gove and George Eustice.

However, other members of the Cabinet have been vocal in advocating low or zero tariffs which would be devastating for a number of industries, and on Tuesday (March 6) Sky News reported that the Department for International Trade (DIT) intends to cut 80-90% of all tariffs imposed on goods imported into Britain, including many agricultural products.

Farmers and those reliant on agriculture for their income are getting increasingly frustrated with the lack of clarity on the UK’s exit from the European Union and are desperate for stability to continue running their businesses, the Farmers’ Union of Wales has said.

Speaking after yesterday’s (Wednesday 27 February) 10 Downing Street reception, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We have spent the last couple of days speaking to key figures in the European Commission and Parliament to discuss Brexit and its implications and we have further discussed the worries and concerns of our farmers at the St David’s Day reception at 10 Downing Street.

“The frustrating situation for our members is that they can’t forward plan their business, and the constant changes and proposed amendments to the exit deal are causing a real headache. Nobody knows what is going to happen and we are just 29 days away from supposedly making this exit.

“It is high time that the UK Government revoked Article 50 to protect the nation from a no-deal scenario. France has already indicated that it would object to an extension to Article 50, which leaves us in a vulnerable position.

“Extending the Article 50 period by weeks or months could weaken the UK’s position and merely lead to the UK limping on until the next political crisis and standoff and no-deal is not off the table.

“No responsible government should ever lead a country into the a situation where the police and army are involved in contingency planning for civil unrest, and the most sensible way of taking control over the process is to revoke Article 50 with a view to submitting it once we have a coherent plan that has broad political support.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has met with key figures in the European Commission and Parliament to discuss Brexit and its implications, with just 30 days to go before the UK is due to leave the EU. As well as meeting Welsh MEP Derek Vaughan and others, FUW President Glyn Roberts met with European Parliament Vice President Mairead McGuinnes, Vice Chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Paolo de Castro, and Commission cabinet member Tom Tynan.

Speaking after the round of meetings on Tuesday (February 26), Mr Roberts said: “With just thirty days to go before we are due to leave, the uncertainty and disorder around Brexit is having adverse impacts on businesses both in the UK and across the rest of the EU.

“The fact that it is costing hundreds of millions to businesses and governments in many countries is a grave concern.”

Mr Roberts said this was one of the reasons the FUW maintained its belief that the only way to restore order was to revoke Article 50 then move to secure an agreement that has widespread support in Parliament, before re-submitting an Article 50 letter and withdrawing from the EU in an orderly manner.

“Contingency planning for a no-deal Brexit and the implications for UK-EU trade were also at the top of the agenda, as well as changes aimed at stamping out unfair trading practices in the supply chain,” said Mr Roberts.

Agreement on the EU Directive on Unfair Trading Practice was reached in December 2018, and is aimed at stamping out unfair practices affecting farmers and small and medium sized businesses position in the food supply chain.

The FUW’s Livestock and Hill farming committees have described Welsh Government plans to introduce a pan-Wales ‘NVZ’ type regulations as disastrous for the livestock industry.

Speaking after a joint meeting of the two committees on Wednesday (February 22), FUW hill farming and marginal land committee chairman Rheinallt Hughes said: “This was the first opportunity committee members had to consider the plans in detail, and there was a general air of disbelief that the Welsh Government want to introduce reems of restrictions, rules and paperwork for even our most remote and extensively farmed areas.”

Mr Hughes said that farmers were only slowly becoming aware of the plans, and that anger was rising within the industry that such a draconian approach was being brought forward at a time when all the figures suggest Wales’ agriculture industry could be the worst affected by Brexit.

“The fact that such a draconian blanket approach is being planned goes against the Welsh Government's commitment in December 2017 to strike ‘the right balance of comprehensive regulatory measures, voluntary measures and investment’ and ‘...explore further options to provide land managers with flexibility, where these would achieve the same or better outcomes than a regulatory approach,’” added Mr Hughes.

Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths announced the plans in a written statement in November last year, after which it became apparent that the majority of the plans had simply ‘been cut-and-pasted’ from the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) rules currently affecting just 2.3% of Wales.

A successful information evening to discuss bovine TB within the Denbigh and Flintshire counties, arranged by the local Farmers’ Union of Wales branch, has resulted in the formation of a new discussion group.

The event, which was held at the Hanmer Arms, near Whitchurch, heard from APHA representatives and the North Wales TB Eradication Board, with FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright also answering questions.  

FUW Denbigh and Flint CEO Mari Dafydd Jones said: “We held this meeting as we have many members that are being affected by TB within this area.  

“The level of TB in cattle has not shown any significant decline and new TB spikes have developed in the Intermediate TB Area.

“Alongside frustration at the lack of progress in the High TB Area, there is growing concern amongst members that previously clean areas are now at risk of a TB incursion.