The Farmers’ Union of Wales today reminded further education students of the entry deadline for its revamped student bursary worth a total of £1,500.

Following a review by the union’s agricultural education and training committee, a number of significant amendments were made to the FUW student bursary scheme that have been implemented for this year’s applications.

The union is now offering a bursary aimed specifically at further education students with an award of £1,000 to the winner and £500 to the runner-up.

The bursary has also taken on a new format with applications being requested before the April 8 closing date. The bursary is specifically aimed at assisting college students studying an agriculture or land-based subject.

FUW agricultural education and training committee chairman Alun Edwards, who is keen to attract more applications from further education students, said: “Applications for the further education bursary opened in November, to give students a longer period of time to settle into their studies, and is centred on the practical nature of the courses being studied.

“By making these changes we hope to attract a greater number of applications and we look forward to receiving this year’s entries.”

It is a condition of the award that short-listed candidates attend an interview to discuss their submission during the period leading up to the 2013 Royal Welsh Spring Festival on Saturday May 18 when the successful candidates will be announced and presentation of the bursary cheques made.

To apply for the bursary, applicants must complete the application form and either write an essay of a maximum of 1,500 words on one of the following subjects:

• How I will utilise the skills I’ve learnt at College in my future career.
• What is your favourite course at College and why?
• Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Or, applicants can use one of the following options to showcase a project they have been working on, either as part of their course, in the workplace, or at home.

• Written diary report
• Photo documentary
• Video diary

Applications can be submitted via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (file size must not exceed 10MB). Attached files up to a maximum of 25MB can be submitted to either This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Students may also submit electronic copies on disk format. All projects need to be submitted in Microsoft accessible format.

With membership of the Farmers' Union of Wales in Carmarthenshire boosted considerably last year the county office has arranged a series of sub-branch meetings this month.

The increase led to the union's Carmarthen-based county executive officer Meinir Bartlett receiving the new members award at the annual FUW staff conference recently.

And Glamorgan area officer Sam Evans, who is also based at the Carmarthen office, picked up the FUW Insurance highest book growth award.

The forthcoming sub-branch meetings are:

East Carmarthenshire - Thursday February 7 at the Cottage Inn, Llandeilo, at 7.30pm with guest speaker FUW deputy director of agricultural policy Rhian Nowell-Phillips.

West Carmarthenshire - Tuesday February 12 at Llanboidy Football/Social Club (7.30pm) with guest speaker, FUW policy officer Andrew Gurney.

North Carmarthenshire - Thursday February 21 at the Talardd, Llanllwni, (7.30pm) with guest speaker FUW senior policy officer Hazel Wright.

South Carmarthenshire - Thursday February 28 at Upper Tumble Social Club (7.30pm) with guest speaker FUW director of agricultural policy Nick Fenwick.

Presentations at the first three events will be based on the future of the Rural Development Plan 2014-2020 and its effects on Agri Environment Schemes, Farming Connect and Rural Development, and Dr Fenwick will give an update on CAP reform, in terms of Pillar 1, and other issues.

Also present at all meetings will be David Foode, of E-On energy suppliers, providing details of the favourable contracts available to FUW members.

Mrs Bartlett said: "Members' attendance at these meetings, where they can present their views as the grass roots of the industry, is vitally important.

"Their contributions will assist the union to represent, fight and safeguard their interests more effectively in the future. We look forward to seeing members at their most convenient location."

The current debate over the UK’s membership of the EU and the Prime Minister's recent announcement of a referendum should be a huge concern to farmers in Wales, Farmers' Union of Wales president Emyr Jones said today (Wednesday January 30) at a House of Lords event celebrating Farmhouse Breakfast Week.

"For the past decade this function has been an opportunity for peers, MPs and distinguished guests to sample just a small proportion of the excellent food - second to none - we are so proud of producing in Wales," said Mr Jones during the union's annual lunch at the Lords sponsored this year by the Welsh Government, E.ON and Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales.

"That production provides a backbone to our rural communities, socially, economically and environmentally, and employment for large numbers of people in rural and urban communities.

"Put bluntly, our communities - our backbone and culture - depend upon our ability to produce such excellent food and without food production Wales’ heartlands would disintegrate.

"As farmers we are passionate about food production, about the quality of our livestock, the quality of our cheeses and other produce and this is reflected in the awards and international recognition we receive for our livestock and our produce.

"But, passionate as we may be about food production, passion alone cannot sustain us and for production to continue our businesses must also be financially sustainable.

"While we would prefer to rely completely on the open market, the reality is that around 80% of our income is dependent on payments received through the EU and our access to EU markets.”

Mr Jones stressed that the ongoing debate over the UK’s membership of the EU and the recent announcement of a referendum should, therefore, be a huge concern to farmers in Wales.

“The EU injects around half a billion a year into Wales’ rural communities through the CAP, and that money is critical for Wales’ economy as a whole. Without that money our rural communities would collapse.

“The UK government - like the previous government - has made it clear that it will not provide that half a billion if we exit the EU. But they do not explain how our economy in Wales will make up for the loss of that half a billion. 

“To make up for that money a Welsh hill farmer would have to charge an extra £40 for his lambs or make a saving of £40 a lamb - there is no way that doing away with EU rules will save £40 per lamb - but it might save £8 a lamb if both the UK and EU stop making and gold plating crazy rules such as electronic sheep ID.”

Referring to the threatened closure of the Welsh Country Foods lamb processing plant on Anglesey, Mr Jones added: “We have recently seen the impact that the loss of a single supermarket outlet can mean to an entire community - the potential loss of 350 jobs and a massive knock on for the farming community and for Hybu Cig Cymru.

"Our exit from the EU would multiply the dire situation we currently see on Anglesey a billion fold across the UK. It would mean the loss of the primary producers which supply our factories, the loss of multiple markets, the loss of our food security, and liberalised imports of food produced to lower environmental and animal health and welfare standards.

"While such matters may seem a million miles away as we enjoy the splendid Welsh food prepared for us today, let’s hope that all the forces which have come together to allow this to happen, and the economic, social and environmental benefits which rely on food production, are not lost amongst the rhetoric which has too often dominated the in-out debate."

Farmers' Union of Wales members in Meirionnydd will have a unique opportunity to air their views on rural policing when they meet the newly-elected Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales next week.

Winston Roddick QC will be the guest speaker at the union's county executive committee on Monday evening February 4 at 7.30pm at the Ship Hotel, Dolgellau.

Mr Roddick, who won the Police and Crime Commissioner election last November, was born and raised at Caernarfon. After training and working as a police officer in Liverpool, he undertook a law degree, trained as a barrister and was appointed to the bar in 1968.

In 1998 he was appointed the first Counsel General for Wales - the most senior legal adviser to the Welsh Assembly.

Police and Crime Commissioners are responsible for setting priorities for their police force, overseeing its budget and hiring the Chief Constable.

FUW's Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones said: "The union warmly welcomes the announcement by Mr Roddick during a meeting of Gwynedd Council last Thursday that he will be appointing a sergeant and police officer with special responsibility for rural areas.

"No doubt, this will be fully discussed at our meeting with him next week."

The Farmers’ Union of Wales today reminded members to be vigilant after a spate of sheep thefts in the Swansea area.

According to the West Glamorgan Commoners' Association, seven of its members have lost 350 sheep in the Swansea, Amman and Lliw Valleys over the past 18 months with losses amounting to around £30,000.

FUW member Howell Davies, a third generation farmer of Perthygwynion Farm, Pontardawe, Swansea, has suffered a series of sheep thefts over the past year.

“Unfortunately, livestock theft seems to have increased substantially in recent years and in August last year I had 62 ewes stolen from my flock,” said Mr Davies.

"It is believed that the rising price of sheep meat and the impact of the recession are largely to blame for the increase.

“Of course, it is not just farm income that suffers from these thefts, as there can also be a loss of valuable breeding lines which are very difficult, if not impossible, to replace.” added Mr Davies.

FUW livestock, wool and marts committee chairman Dafydd Roberts said the union was one of the organisations involved in the establishment of the 2011 Farm Watch scheme which aims to improve communications between farmers and the police in order to reduce the opportunities for farm-related crime.

"The FUW would, therefore, urge members concerned about the rise in sheep thefts to become involved in their local Farm Watch scheme and report any suspicious activities or suspicious loading to the police. This is especially important if such activities are being conducted at night.

"The union would also stress that buyers of sheep or sheep meat should check the corresponding ownership records and livestock identification to ensure that the animals being purchased are not stolen," added Mr Roberts who farms on Anglesey where there has been an increase in thefts of metal and wooden gates over the last couple of weeks. 

Local police believe two metal farm gates were stolen by thieves just looking for an opportunity to sell them on as scrap metal or to an unsuspecting third party.

South Wales Police met with the Commoners’ Association in November 2012 and, following this meeting, an initiative designed to combat the rise in sheep thefts is set to be launched this Spring.

Police will be conducting spot checks on vehicles carrying livestock and will continue to stop vehicles towing stock boxes late at night in remote areas.

[caption id="attachment_2239" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FUW president Emyr Jones (second from right) with breakfast event sponsors' representatives (from left) E.ON business account manager David Foode, Alun Davies and Dai Davies.[/caption]

The leading reputation of Welsh farm produce was highlighted by the Farmers' Union of Wales today as Farmhouse Breakfast Week 2013 (January 20-26) got underway.

Union president, Bala beef and sheep producer Emyr Jones, reminded consumers the European Commission's PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status, which protects the reputation of regional food products, was awarded to Welsh Beef in 2002 and to Welsh Lamb in 2003.

"PGI assures consumers that Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef have full traceability, recognising the origin and unique qualities of the product," said Mr Jones.

"Only PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef are guaranteed to be sourced from lambs or cattle born and reared in Wales, which are fully traceable, and have been slaughtered and processed in abattoirs or processors approved by Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC).

"HCC is also responsible for the development, promotion and marketing of pork from Wales," added Mr Jones, who attended the union's 14th annual Welsh farmhouse breakfast at the National Assembly in Cardiff last week and joins Welsh peers at the House of Lords on Wednesday January 30 for an FUW-organised event to celebrate Welsh farm produce.

During last week's Assembly breakfast deputy agriculture minister Alun Davies said the event was aimed at promoting breakfast and showcasing the best of Welsh breakfast produce which is becoming a cornerstone of the Welsh food calendar.

“Food is a priority for the Welsh Government and we are supporting the industry to develop and move in positive new directions, embracing new technology and advancements in research and development to put Wales at the forefront of food production.

“Food production is an important part of the Welsh economy and Wales offers a variety of quality products and I hope all of our partners will support the Welsh Government’s drive to promote these, including encouraging our partners to procure local food wherever possible.”

HCC chairman Dai Davies thanked the deputy minister for launching HCC’s new DVD "Feeding the Future" which promotes careers in the red meat industry.

"This is a crucial year for farming, with CAP reform and changes to future RDP programmes on the way. But thankfully, in our deputy minister, we have a safe pair of hands in charge of food and farming here in Wales.                                                                                                             

"He has worked hard not only here in Cardiff, but also in London and especially in Brussels where so many decisions that have a direct impact on the day to day life of ordinary farmers in Wales are taken.

"I hope that his approach to cut the best deal possible for farmers in Wales bears fruit."

From today breakfasts will also be held on a total of 10 farms in Caernarfonshire, Denbighshire and Flintshire and another at Bryncir livestock market’s cafe.

The Caernarfonshire breakfasts will be held on: Monday January 21 at Ty'n Hendre, Tal-y-bont, Bangor; Tuesday January 22 - Pant Eithinog, Penygroes; Wednesday January 23 - Glasfryn, Y Ffôr; Thursday January 24 - Bodwrdda, Aberdaron and Glyn Uchaf, Tynygroes, Conwy; Friday January 25 - Dylasau Uchaf, Padog and Caffi Anne's Cafe, Bryncir Mart.

Denbighshire breakfasts will be held on: Monday January 21 at Pontruffydd, Bodfari, Denbigh and at Ysgeibion Farm, Cyffylliog, Rhuthun and on Tuesday January 22 at Pen y Bryn, Maenan, Llanrwst.

The Flintshire breakfast will be held on Wednesday January 23 at Bach y Graig, Tremeirchion, St Asaph.

Anyone wishing to attend the farmhouse breakfasts should contact FUW's Caernarfonshire county office on 01286 672 541 or Denbigh and Flint county office on 01824 707 198.