The Farmers’ Union of Wales is looking forward to a busy week promoting #FarmingMatters at the National Eisteddfod, near Abergavenny this year (July 30 - August 6).
“Visitors to the FUW stand will have an opportunity to find out why #FarmingMatters so much to our rural economy and of course Welsh rural life. A warm welcome is offered to all those who are attending the National Eisteddfod and I hope to see many of our members at our stand,” said FUW Gwent County Executive Officer Glyn Davies.
Following on from the success at the Royal Welsh Show, the FUW is encouraging visitors throughout the Eisteddfod week to post their concerns, ideas and comments about the way forward for agriculture following the EU referendum result in the agricultural post box.
The Monday (August 1) of the National Eisteddfod will see the FUW welcoming the Offa’s Dyke walkers, who on behalf of the Union conquered the 177 miles in a bid to raise vital funds for the British Heart Foundation Cymru.
In addition the FUW is joining in with the Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) Lamb day celebrations.
A revival of an ancient summer tradition is set to kick off a renewed marketing campaign for Welsh Lamb in the UK market. 2016’s summer and autumn PGI Welsh Lamb campaign, run by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) will take place across a wide range of different media.
It will feature chefs and food writers as ‘lambassadors’, new booklets containing simple and tasty summer lamb recipes, competitions for consumers, and will also see events to inaugurate ‘Llamb’s Day’ on August 1, to coincide with the best new season lamb being widely available.
The idea behind celebrating Welsh Lamb at the beginning of August is to build on old feasting traditions across Europe, which commemorate this day as the first harvest festival – known as Calan Awst, Lammas or Lughnasadh.
The day will kick off a number of marketing initiatives, including demonstrations and tastings in supermarkets during August, which will build on the year-round marketing efforts of HCC in the UK and export markets.
“In the afternoon visitors to the Union stand can sample lamb dishes prepared by HCC and we look forward to the presentation of new Welsh lamb and beef recipe brochures,” added Glyn Davies..
On Wednesday (August 3) the FUW is welcoming the Abergavenny Tourist Group to the stand and on Thursday (August 4), the Union will welcome the Police and Crime Commissioner and Farm Watch co-ordinator for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert.
‘Welsh Language in Agriculture’ will be the theme of the day on Friday (August 5) as the Welsh Language Commissioner Meri Huws will talk to Castell Howell Foods owner Brian Jones about the impact and importance of the language to the company and its customers.
Speaking ahead of the National Eisteddfod, FUW Managing Director Alan Davies said: “When we talk about our rural economy and as part of that of course rural life, the important role of the Welsh language, can’t be ignored.
“If you want a clear indication of the cultural importance of farming you need only consider this: in Ceredigion for example, less than 50 percent of the population now speak Welsh. But within the farming community the percentage is close to 100%.
“With this in mind Welsh-speaking further education students from rural areas of Wales, in fact all of our young people, must be given every opportunity to return to jobs and homes in their own communities to help preserve the language but also to provide them with the opportunity to contribute to our rural economy.
“Every effort must be made to motivate young people to speak Welsh and give them plenty of opportunity to use the language in their workplace.”
The FUW further maintains that older members of staff working for any organisation should be motivated and encouraged to either learn the language or further improve their Welsh language skills.
“We are always keen to highlight the importance of organisations that operate in Welsh, as we do, and serve the community through the medium of Welsh, in ensuring that young Welsh speakers are employed in their local areas.
“We must acknowledge the fact that there are changing language patterns out there but, a strong Welsh economy needs to be supported by our language, to ensure we keep our Welsh identity,” said Alan Davies.
“So our stand is not just about farming; it is about the wider recognition of how Farming Matters, where supply chains are involved, how money circulates in the local economy, where people survive, where profits are made, communities are sustained and our culture continues to thrive,” he added.