Farmers are today reminded by the Farmers’ Union of Wales to be pitfall savvy when it comes to Glastir Entry and Glastir Advanced contracts to avoid financial penalties.

“It is important that farmers fully understand the obligations within their Glastir contracts as even a minor breach can result in a hefty/significant penalty,” said FUW land use policy officer Bernard Griffiths.

The union is therefore advising its members to regularly review their contracts to ensure that they are meeting the requirements.  The most common pitfalls to avoid are capital works not being fully completed within the time limit or to the correct standard; no activity or stocking diary kept and/or information being inaccurately recorded; sward height not achieved; damage to habitat land; rubbish not removed from the farm; non-completion of arable options; stocking levels or stock exclusion requirements not being met; inappropriate supplementary feeding on habitat land and not meeting hedge cutting requirements.

“Apart from being penalised financially it is also worth bearing in mind that if the number of breaches found at inspection continues to increase, then the Welsh Government are required to increase the number of inspections it must carry out as dictated by the European Commission – which of course will increase the chance of farms being selected for inspection,” added Mr Griffiths.

The FUW is further advising its members who are unsure of their contractual obligations to contact their local county office for further advice or the Rural Payments Wales Customer Contact centre on 0300 062 5004.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has asked the Welsh Government to reconsider its decision to limit it’s “Gwlad” magazine to ‘online only’ from April 2016, highlighting the poor availability of broadband in rural areas and adverse repercussions for farmers and government as reasons why the service should continue.

An article entitled “Gwlad goes digital” in the latest edition of the magazine has alerted large numbers to the fact that the March/April 2016 edition of the magazine will be the last to be issued as a hard copy, after which many farmers will no longer be able to receive or access important news, including updates on regulatory changes, in their households or business premises.

“The decision to abandon the hard copy of Gwlad is extremely concerning given that the majority of Gwlad articles relate to regulatory issues, including changes to or the introduction of new rules,” said FUW president Glyn Roberts.

Mr Roberts has therefore written to deputy minister for agriculture and food Rebecca Evans to highlight the FUW’s concerns regarding the announcement, highlighting the essential role the publication plays in keeping farmers abreast of changes, and that access to broadband is still well below the national average in Wales’ rural areas.

“Like the vast majority of other members of the general public, farmers are far more likely to take notice of important information when it is presented in an easily accessible format, as is currently the case.

“It is frustrating enough for farmers that the rules and regulations are so complex and change so often. The prospect of being penalised for breaking rules which have not even been notified to us makes matters worse,” added Mr Roberts.

Mr Roberts’ letter concludes that: “When it comes to the regular communication of important messages through Gwlad we would ask the deputy minister to reconsider her decision to move to an online-only service, bearing in mind the limited extent of broadband access in many of Wales’ rural communities, the fact that such important messages are best communicated in the current format, and the potential impact for farmers and Government of failing to communicate important messages.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is today reminding farmers that after Thursday November 26, those using plant protection products (PPP) for professional use, on their own or their employer’s land, must have a certificate of competence.

Prior to November 26, an exemption in UK law allowed individuals born before the December 31, 1964, to use PPPs without obtaining a certificate. 

“All operators should have had training and hold an appropriate qualification for the equipment they are using, such as weed wipers, boom sprayers, or knapsacks, once the “grandfather rights” come to an end,” said FUW education and training committee chairman Alun Edwards .

The union is further stressing that it will be an offence for anyone to purchase PPPs authorised for professional use unless they have ensured that the end user has a certificate of competence after the November deadline.

In addition, the FUW advises members that before carrying out any spray application activities, it is important that all alternative options have been identified and where possible adopted. Cross compliance regulations and Glastir rules on habitat and option management regarding pesticide use must be adhered to.

“It is also important to risk assess the site where you will be handling chemicals, especially in those areas where you fill and clean your equipment. If you use the same site on a regular basis for this please be aware that they can easily be the source of serious water pollution.

“Even if you are using an induction hopper as you fill your sprayers it is advisable to have drip trays to catch any spillage and absorbent material, such as sand, sawdust or cat litter must be available to catch any spillage.

“Remember that all contaminated material needs to be treated and disposed of appropriately as it may be classed as hazardous waste,” added Alun.

For further advice on the disposal of hazardous waste please contact to Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

[caption id="attachment_5854" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Past president Emyr Jones (far right) welcomes Lord and Lady Morris to Dolgellau’s Free Library where a plaque was installed on May 11 2006 when the Meirionnydd county branch celebrated 50 years since its formation.[/caption]

Lord Morris of Aberavon, who was actively involved with the formation of the FUW as the union's legal adviser and deputy general secretary between 1956 and 1958, will be the guest speaker at the union’s 60th anniversary dinner in December.

The dinner, which is being organised by the Carmarthen branch of the FUW, will be held on Tuesday December 8 at the Halliwell Centre, University of Wales Trinity St David, Carmarthen at 7pm.

“The event is being held on the exact date of the first meeting 60 years ago of the FUW Provisional Committee, as recorded in “A Family Affair” - The Story of the Farmers’ Union of Wales 1955 to 1992 - by Handel Jones,” said FUW Carmarthen county executive officer David Waters.

"Lord Morris further founded and edited the early editions of the union's newspaper Y Tir and travelled thousands of miles setting up branches and giving legal advice throughout Wales.

“There is no doubt that Lord Morris' period as Secretary of State for Wales was absolutely crucial in the formation and development of the FUW and we look forward to welcoming him as the guest speaker for our 60^th anniversary dinner.”

Tickets, for a three course meal are £25 each and are available from all FUW county offices.