VALE of Glamorgan farmer Richard Walker was elected as the new county chairman of the Glamorganshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales during its recent annual general meeting.

Mr Walker, 39, of Flaxland Farm, Llancarfan, runs the lowland family farm consisting of a mixed herd of Charolais cross Texel sheep and finishing cattle as well as being heavily involved with arable contracting in the area.

He has been Glamorgan YFC county chairman and is currently Maendy YFC vice president.

“I feel privileged to be taking over the reins from our highly respected outgoing chairman Glyn Jones and I am looking forward to all the challenges and opportunities that the role will bring over the next year,” said Mr Walker.

[caption id="attachment_2363" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] INCOMING: Glyn Jones (right) congratulates Richard Walker on his election[/caption]

Farmers’ Union of Wales agricultural policy director Nick Fenwick will speak about the major changes to the CAP and their implications on Welsh farmers at the union's Ceredigion branch annual general meeting Tuesday May 7, commencing at 7pm at TyGlyn, Ciliau Aeron.

“The weather over the past year has made it extremely difficult and hard for farmers and many agri-environment schemes such as Tir Mynydd, Tir Gofal and the Organic scheme will be coming to an end this year as well,” said FUW Ceredigion county executive officer Caryl Wyn-Jones .

“To secure a strong and prosperous future for the industry we need to ensure that the proposed new CAP will enable farmers to continue farming successfully as well as providing encouragement for young farmers to enter the industry.

“FUW members are more than welcome to take advantage of a special offer to have a meal at TyGlyn after the meeting for £9.25. We will be taking food orders by the door on the night,” added Miss Wyn-Jones.

During the event some light-hearted stories and tales will be given by former FUW area officer Gwynne Davies, of Llanddewi Brefi, and there will be a warm welcome to all members who attend. Food and light entertainment will be available.

For more information call the FUW's Aberaeron office on 01545 571 222.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the Welsh Government’s commitment of £500,000 to farm charities to help address problems caused by the severe weather conditions, but has demanded more action to address problems with fallen stock.

In a statement issued earlier today (April 16), Natural Resources and Food Minister Alun Davies announced grants of £100,000 to Farm Crisis Network (FCN); £150,000 to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) and £250,000 to the Addington Trust.

FUW president Emyr Jones said:

“The farming industry continues to reel from the severe impacts of the freak weather experienced over the past month, and FCN, RABI and the Addington Trust have been inundated with calls from those farmers worst hit.

“The Minister’s commitment is therefore a welcome one. However, we maintain our belief that more must be done to address the disaster which has hit many of our communities.”

Mr Jones also called for more action to address the issue of fallen stock collection.

“Almost three weeks ago we warned of an imminent and escalating problem regarding fallen stock collection. That problem is continuing to escalate as more and more animals buried under the snows come to light, yet the derogation is being restricted.

“We are being inundated by calls from members who have been waiting weeks for fallen stock to be collected, and as the weather warms up horrendous scenes are developing.”

Mr Jones said the FUW had already called for a reduction in the red tape associated with all burial derogations and for burial to be allowed across Wales.

“We have also called for a time limit to be set so that if animals are not collected within a few days of being arranged, farmers can bury them.

“If this is not allowed, I am extremely concerned that a severe animal and human health issue will develop. We have seen it happen before and we warned the Welsh Government weeks ago that it will happen again if they do not take more proactive steps. I do not want to be in an ‘I told you so’ position.”

A former chairman of the Farmers' Union of Wales milk and dairy produce committee is to lobby MPs at Westminster today (Wednesday April 16) about imminent cuts in farmgate prices for milk being sold for cheese.

"Welsh dairy farmers who supply milk for cheese production are seriously concerned following reports that major cheese processors are planning milk price cuts for farmers of around 2p per litre within the next few weeks," said Eifion Huws, who represents north Wales on the union's finance and organisation committee.

He plans to raise the issue during Anglesey Day, hosted by local MP Albert Owen, at Portcullis House where MPs will be invited to sample dairy products produced on the island.

“Last year dairy farmers across the UK held noisy protests against the slashing of liquid milk prices by 2ppl and the price being paid to those on cheese contracts is also under pressure,” said Mr Huws.

“Retailer profit on cheese is even higher than that for milk and DairyCo estimates that the retailer gross margin on mature cheddar stood at almost 50 per cent between 2011-2012.

“We are not suggesting a rise in the costs paid by consumers for cheese. Instead we advocate that retailers reduce their overly large profit margins and pay fairer wholesale prices in order to more equitably distribute supply chain profits. The share left for producers in the cheese supply chain is currently unsustainable.

“These cuts will be disastrous for the Welsh dairy industry which is already suffering from lower milk volumes following a major delay in the start of the spring grass growing season due to the recent cold weather. The future viability of this sector is under threat," added Mr Huws.

According to Welsh Government statistics the number of dairy farms in Wales reduced by over 800 from 2,727 in 2006 to 1,908 in 2011.