Big Farmland Bird Count

Nia Davies-Jones Latest News (EN)

This February, the Farmers’ Union of Wales is once again encouraging farmers in Wales to get behind the Big Farmland Bird Count, by spending 30 minutes recording the farmland birds they see on their land. 

The initiative celebrates its 12th anniversary this year, and provides an opportunity to construct a snapshot of the health of our cherished farmland birds across Wales and the UK.

With almost 90% of Wales’ land used for agricultural purposes,  how farmers manage their land is vital towards supporting biodiversity, with this survey therefore providing an opportunity to highlight the good work many farmers already do to support nature and the environment.

During last year’s count, nearly 395,000 birds were spotted from 1,721 surveys across the UK. In Wales, 33,882 birds were counted, with a total of 88 species recorded, including 18 species on the ‘Red List’ of birds of conservation concern, such as Starling, Lapwing and House Sparrows.

As well as providing a valuable insight into the state of nature on our farms, the Count also provides an opportunity to highlight what can be done by farmers to help farmland birds survive this difficult time of year so that the breeding populations are increased. Such simple actions include; planting and looking after hedgerows, creating and keeping wide field margins, as well as providing feeders with seeds during late winter and early spring to help birds at a time of year when food can be scarce.

As a Union, we were delighted to sponsor an event in Montgomeryshire this January promoting the Big Farmland Bird Count. This brought over 60 farmers and members of the local community together to raise awareness of how to identify farmland birds, as well as promoting the small, simple steps farmers can take to support bird populations.

The annual UK wide count, run by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) will take place between 7-23 February 2025, with farmers encouraged for one day to spend about 30 minutes recording the species and number of birds seen on one particular area of the farm.

For more information on how to take part, and to download your own count sheets, go to the Big Farmland Bird Count website: www.bfbc.org.uk/ 

FUW President to share experiences of farming in partnership with Ceredigion farmers

Nia Davies-Jones Latest News (EN)

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) Ceredigion are extending a warm welcome to members of the public to join them as they welcome FUW President, Ian Rickman to Aberaeron Rugby Club to speak about his experiences of farming in partnership. 

Mr Rickman, a second generation farmer who farms Gurnos Farm, a 84-hectare upland farm near Bethlehem, Llandeilo, will be joined by his business partner, Sean Jeffreys, who joined the business in September 2022.

Mr Rickman has lived and worked at Gurnos all his life, however, keen to pursue off-farm commitments but not yet ready to retire from farming, he sought help from Farming Connect’s Venture initiative.

Through the matchmaking service, Ian was paired with Sean - who lived at nearby Ffairfach, but had grown up in Swansea, however has always had a keen interest in agriculture through his grandparents who kept a smallholding.

The evening will provide an opportunity for the two to share their experiences of farming in partnership at Gurnos, including the legal and business background, together with discussing the opportunities farming in partnership offers farmers. 

The evening will be held at Aberaeron Rugby Club at 8:00pm on Tuesday 11 February 2025, with a warm welcome extended to all members of the public.

Commenting ahead of the evening, Catrin Griffiths, FUW Ceredigion County Executive Officer, said: “All of us in FUW Ceredigion are looking forward to hearing about Ian and Sean’s history and experiences of farming in partnership. 

"The recent debate over the worrying changes to Inheritance Tax has seen more and more farmers looking ahead, and thinking what the future may hold for their farms. For some, farming in partnership may be one possible option, and we look forward to learning more about the process, and what challenges and opportunities such initiative entails for farmers.” 

FUW celebrates successful Farmhouse Breakfast Week

Nia Davies-Jones Latest News (EN)

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) are celebrating another successful Farmhouse Breakfast Week, with over £21,000 raised towards charities and local causes, including more than £13,500 towards the Wales Air Ambulance.

The annual Farmhouse Breakfast Week saw 24 breakfast events held across Wales between the 18th and 25th of January 2025, with members, the public and politicians all enjoying the delicious, nutritious and sustainable breakfast produce, whilst catching up on farming matters with FUW staff and officials.

This year’s breakfast event marked a double celebration for the FUW, as they celebrated seventy years since their establishment in 1955, whilst also marking fifteen years since the start of their Farmhouse Breakfast Week in Caernarfon back in 2010.

As part of the week, a breakfast event was also held at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay.  This was a great event with a range of key stakeholders and Senedd Members, including First Minister, Eluned Morgan in attendance. The event was kindly sponsored by Jane Dodds MS, with Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies MS giving the key-note speech.

Reflecting on a successful Farmhouse Breakfast Week, FUW President, Ian Rickman said: “We have enjoyed another successful breakfast week and I thank all the staff, members, volunteers and our politicians across Wales for their support. In particular, I’d like to thank the many local businesses from across Wales that have so generously supported our breakfasts through their donations - be it bacon, sausages, dairy produce and eggs. Thank you all.

"Together we have raised an incredible amount of money, including a significant donation towards the Wales Air Ambulance, that saves lives across Wales every single day.

"This year, we were also delighted to have over 25 politicians attend our events, which provided staff and officials with a key opportunity to highlight the many challenges facing our farming families - be it the inheritance tax changes, bTB or the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

“The Farmhouse breakfast week not only offers an opportunity to bring our communities together and raise funds towards good causes, but also provides a key opportunity to showcase the very best of our high quality Welsh produce, and highlight the vital role farming plays within our rural communities both socially and economically.”

Dr Sue Barnes, Wales Air Ambulance Charity Chief Executive, said:  “We are extremely grateful to the FUW and its members for the magnificent sum of money they have raised yet again this year to support the Wales Air Ambulance.

“Our charity is working hard to ensure our vital work in supporting rural and agricultural communities can continue, not just for the here and now, but for our future generations. Our commitment and connection to rural Wales is, and always will be, incredibly strong.

“We also recognise and give thanks for the invaluable contribution that the farming community makes to Welsh society, as well as the quality produce that is enjoyed here in Wales and around the world.”

Farmers’ Union of Wales responds to All Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone

Nia Davies-Jones Latest News (EN)

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has responded to the Welsh Government’s announcement today (29 January 2025) to introduce an all-Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ).

Commenting following the introduction of an all-Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, Elin Jenkins, Farmers’ Union of Wales Policy Officer said: “Whilst it’s important to note there have been no cases of the avian influenza confirmed in poultry or kept birds in Wales so far this outbreak season, this announcement was perhaps inevitable considering the recent cases in close proximity to Wales, and the wider situation across the UK.

"Avian Influenza can put significant financial and emotional strain on our farmers, and it is crucial poultry keepers practice good biosecurity and vigilance to protect their flocks from this disease.”

 

Welsh Government Written Statement 29/01/2025: All Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone

Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

There have been no cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) confirmed in poultry or other kept birds in Wales so far this outbreak season. However, the number of cases in poultry flocks continues to increase across Great Britain and there is a heightened risk of transmission from wild to kept birds.

On the basis of advice from the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, I have decided to introduce an all-Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) under Article 6 of the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No. 2) Order 2006. This precautionary measure is in line with the national AIPZs introduced in England and Scotland on 25 January 2025.

This AIPZ will apply from 00:01 on Thursday 30 January and remain in place until a reduction in risk levels indicates it is no longer required. The requirements within the AIPZ and other measures to reduce the risk of avian influenza transmission will be kept under ongoing review.

The AIPZ will require all keepers of poultry and other captive birds, irrespective of the size of the flock or how the birds are kept, to take appropriate and practicable steps now, including:

• Ensuring the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example, by netting ponds and surrounding areas and by removing wild bird food sources;
• Feeding and watering flocks in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;
• Minimising movement of people in and out of bird enclosures;
• Cleaning and disinfecting footwear, using foot dips before entering poultry enclosures, and keeping areas where birds live clean and tidy;
• Reducing any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas and fencing off wet or boggy areas;
• Keeping domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry;
• Wild game birds “caught up” during the open season must not be moved for a minimum of 21 days, subject to conditions within the declaration.
• Ensuring records are kept in line with the conditions within the declaration. Completing the mandatory biosecurity self-assessment checklist within 7 days. To help keep birds disease-free, we have created two biosecurity self-assessment checklists for commercial and small poultry keepers.

Keepers with more than 500 birds will also be required to take extra biosecurity measures, including restricting access to non-essential people, changing clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures, and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles.

I consider the mandatory enhanced biosecurity measures of the AIPZ to be proportionate to the risk level posed by avian influenza here in Wales at this time.

We all have a responsibility to protect the health and welfare of our national flock in Wales and prevent disease introduction and spread. All keepers of poultry and other captive birds will need to comply with the requirements of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone. Keepers must also remain vigilant for signs of disease. Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease, and any suspicion should be reported immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 0300 303 8268.

Information on the requirements of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, guidance and latest developments will be available on the Welsh Government website.

Farmers’ Union of Wales respond to latest Welsh Government farm income data

Nia Davies-Jones Latest News (EN)

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has responded to data released today by the Welsh Government on Farm Income Data for April 2023 to March 2024.

The latest data showed that average Farm Business incomes in Wales have fallen by 39% year-on-year. 

In 2023-24, estimated dairy farm income has dropped by 59% to £67,500 - drastically reducing from an all-time high in 2022-23. The latest data also showed a drop in income for Cattle and sheep in Less Favoured Areas (LFA) farms, falling by 9% in 2023-24 to £22,000.

Commenting on the figures, Farmers’ Union of Wales President, Ian Rickman said:

"The latest statistics on Farm Business Incomes in Wales demonstrate the economic reality of attempting to maintain levels of profitability against a backdrop of increasing costs and red tape.

"Dairy farms have seen significant declines due to both an average increase of 10% in overall farm business costs coupled with reductions in income.

"Across the board, however, the proportion of farm businesses in Wales generating a negative income continues to increase to over 20%. At the very least, this demonstrates the need for the future Sustainable Farming Scheme to offer an equal level of economic stability, currently provided through the Basic Payment Scheme, the maintenance of which for 2025 has been welcomed by the industry.”

The farm incomes data used in the release are derived from the annual Farm Business Survey (FBS).

Full Welsh Government data is available via the link below:

https://www.gov.wales/farm-incomes-april-2023-march-2024-html 

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