The high quality of local farm produce will be highlighted on the Farmers' Union of Wales stand during next week's Urdd National Eisteddfod at Coleg Meirion Dwyfor's Glynllifon campus near Caernarfon.

Maps will show the wide range of produce and all the varying attractions and opportunities for people on farms within Caernarfonshire in line with the FUW's "I Love Welsh Food" campaign.

The stand will also feature cooking demonstrations by Llithfaen producers of free range pedigree Welsh pork products Oinc Oink, by Arfon MP Hywel Williams on three days and also by Gerwyn Williams, the owner and chef of the Tannery, Llanrwst who will be using local produce to cook a meal for Conwy MP Guto Bebb.

There will also be a farm produce word search competition held every day from Monday to Thursday (June 4-7) with exciting prizes including Samsung PL121 cameras, Aqua Blue Nintendo 3DS with Mario game and case, and an iPod Touch 8GB with docking station and case.

On Friday and Saturday (June 8-9) there will be an opportunity for visitors to answer questions about the county's agricultural industry for the chance to win a Kindle Touch and case, and a mobile phone. All the competitions have been sponsored by Wynnstay agricultural suppliers, Davis Meade, Gamlins Solicitors, British Wool Marketing Board, Sterling Independent Advisers and W H Evans, Felin Llecheiddior.

The stand is set to be a hive of activity throughout the week for visitors of all ages with exhibitions of the producce used to make animal feed by Meurig Huws, of Wynnstay, and different products produced from wool by British Wool Marketing Board.

A warm welcome and a cup of tea awaits everyone on the colourful stand decorated with flowers kindly donated by Bryncir Garden Centre.

Among other competitions being held throughout the week are colouring for children, for which the prizes will be a ride-on Big Red Tractor or ride-on Big Blue Tractor, sponsored by Emyr Evans, of Gaerwen and Denbigh, and Menai Tractors, of Llanwnda.

By filling in an FUW/BT questionnaire, visitors will also have the chance to win a phone and answerphone for the home or office and members from Eryri YFC Federation will be face painting. Children will also have an opportunity to listen to Tecwyn the Tractor author Margiad Roberts reading stories about the popular character.

There's also an opportunity to win various prizes by "milking" Seren - the life-sized model of a dairy cow loaned by Aberystwyth University's Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences - to see how much milk you can get into a bucket in 30 seconds, and by guessing how many farm animals there are in a bottle.

Sponsors of the week's activities from the FUW Insurance Services team are: BIBU Insurance Services, Rural Insurance Services and Farmweb Insurance Services.

The Farmers' Union of Wales today urged farmers to check if any of their land is to be listed as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) following the Welsh Government's recent review of the Nitrates Directive in Wales.

"After consideration of consultation responses to the review and recommendations by the Environment Agency, the Welsh Government has decided which areas they are minded to designate as NVZs in Wales," said Anglesey farmer Gavin Williams, chairman of the FUW's land use and parliamentary committee.

"These designations will either designate land which has not previously been designated or continue an existing designation. Anyone wishing to appeal against the designation must do so no later than Monday July 9."

This weekend the Welsh Government is writing to farmers identified as likely to own or occupy land that falls within a proposed NVZ.

The letters warn that if they are not the sole owner and occupier of the land, they must bring the letter to the attention of any other owner or occupier so that they can consider whether to appeal against the proposed designation.

Detailed maps showing the proposed NVZs can be viewed on the Environment Agency website at:

http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?ep=maptopics&lang=_e

Alternatively, maps and supporting information can be obtained from the Environment Agency by calling 03708 506 506.

Anyone who believes their land does not drain to water identified as polluted and/or the water the land drains to should not be designated as polluted can appeal against the proposed designation.

Information regarding the appeals process and an appeals application form can be found on the Planning Portal website at:http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/countryside/environmental/nitrate?language=wa

This information can also be requested from The Planning Inspectorate by calling 02920 823866.

The resignation of the Welsh Government's acting Chief Scientist Professor Chris Pollock over the decision not to undertake a badger cull in north Pembrokeshire highlights the flawed nature of its decision to pursue vaccination in the area rather than a cull and underlines "scandalous" government negligence, says the Farmers' Union of Wales.

Prof Pollock, previously director of Aberystwyth's Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, announced his resignation last week, stating: "Vaccination is effectively untried so you are exchanging an approach which has a track record of success in Ireland and elsewhere with one not really tried at all" and that "Using vaccination in the targeted Intensive Action Area, where the level of infection in badgers is extremely high, in my view goes against the recommendations of his (Environment Secretary John Griffiths') own scientific review".

FUW TB spokesman Brian Walters said today: "Professor Pollock's resignation backs up everything we have been saying about the Welsh Government's decision since it was announced.

"The evidence given to the government shows that their decision will cost the taxpayer at least an extra £3.5 million and is not backed up by the science. Now we have a world renowned scientist who has been an advisor to the Welsh Government for many years saying the same, and sacrificing his position in protest.

"His decision to resign over the government's cowardly and scandalous betrayal of the farming industry is a noble one, and highlights the need for an inquiry into this issue."

[caption id="attachment_3647" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Dr Yoichi Matsuki, left, presents Glyn Roberts with his report on "Sustainable Land Management".[/caption]

A Japanese expert on sustainable agriculture has visited FUW deputy president Glyn Roberts's Snowdonia farm to learn about the effects on farming of the Chernobyl nuclear explosion 26 years ago.

Yoichi Matsuki, emeritus professor of agricultural economics at Tokyo's Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, is currently guest researcher of business economics at Wageningen University in Holland.

He recently travelled to interview Mr Roberts at his beef and sheep farm at Ysbyty Ifan, near Betws-y-Coed, where sheep have been under movement restrictions since the Chernobyl explosion.

As chief representative of the Japan Farm Animal Welfare Initiative, Dr Matsuki has also written a report on the condition of farm animals in the evacuation area surrounding Fukushima following last year's nuclear power disaster.

"He is comparing the experiences of farmers affected by the Chernobyl fallout with those of Japanese farmers surrounding the Fukushima plant," said Mr Roberts.

"He is also working on sustainable agriculture within Japan and the UK and is very interested in the impact EU policies will have on the future of European agriculture. He told me there were many similar issues affecting agriculture in Japan and Wales.

"One example he gave me was the average age of a farmer in Wales, at 58, compared with 75 per cent of farmers in rural areas of Japan being over 65. There is also an increasing migration of young people from these rural areas to the cities - very much like the situation in rural Wales.

"We both agreed that the balance within agricultural in both countries has swayed towards environmental issues, to the detriment of food production, and if the industry is to achieve sustainability in the future there has to be the right balance between these two elements."

The Farmers' Union of Wales has teamed up with top Welsh chefs to produce a book of Welsh food recipes.

It is asking the public to submit their favourite red meat, poultry, dairy and dessert dishes for a chance to feature in the book. The overall winner will receive a Welsh food hamper worth £100.

The team of chefs judging the competition includes Gareth Johns of The Wynnstay Hotel, Machynlleth; Bryan Webb, Tyddyn Llan, Llandrillo, near Corwen; Hefin Roberts, Ye Olde Bulls Head Inn, Beaumaris; Stephen Terry, The Hardwick, Abergavenny; and Margaret Rees, Slow Food Carmarthenshire group leader.

Culinary legends Ann and Franco Taruschio, pioneers of the food revival in Wales at the Walnut Tree Inn, near Abergavenny, will write the book's foreword.

Recipe entries must make use of Welsh produce only, highlighting where the food is sourced from, together with a description of why this is their favourite recipe.

The first prize winner for each of the categories will receive a copy of the book and a Welsh food hamper worth £20. The closing date for entries is August 31.

Entries must be submitted to Farmers' Union of Wales, Llys Amaeth, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3BT.

For further information contact Anne Birkett, Press Officer, on 01970 820 820 or by e-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

"I have always been a supporter of great Welsh produce, especially Welsh lamb, beef and pork, and it's an honour to be associated with the Farmers' Union of Wales in putting this book together to promote the great meats of Wales," said Bryan Webb, who will judge the red meat section.

He hails from Crumlin in the South Wales Valleys and started his culinary career aged 16 at the Crown at Whitebrook Hotel, near Monmouth, in the mid-1970s.

With his wife Susan he owned Hilaire restaurant in London for 11 years, selling up in 2001 to return to Wales. After a year travelling they bought Tyddyn Llan and over the past 10 years they have built a good reputation, being rated 36th best restaurant in the UK by the Good Food Guide, number one in Wales by the Sunday Times and also gained a Michelin star three years ago.

"I am thrilled to be included in the FUW recipe book. It is a fabulous way to support and showcase some of Wales' beautiful produce and share that with a wider audience," said Stephen Terry, who will judge entries for the poultry section.

He has worked at La Gavroche in London under the direction of Michel Roux Jr. This introduced him to classical French cooking that has become part of the foundation of his philosophy of cooking.

The dairy recipes will fall under the professional scrutiny of Margaret Rees, a pioneer in creating greater awareness of the importance of buying traceable foods from our farmers and artisan food producer.

She is also a former home economics teacher, a chef/restaurateur, TV cook, international culinary tour guide and cookbook author.

As a founder member of the Slow Food International Movement in the UK and involved with the launch of SF Wales 2002, she has continued to forge links from field to fork.

Hefin Roberts, who secured the head chef's position at Ye Olde Bulls Head Inn three years ago, will judge the dessert menu.

"It is a pleasure to work with the FUW and help create a recipe book full of Welsh food gems and I look forward to receiving the dessert menu entries," said Mr Roberts.

The overall winner will be chosen by Master Chef of Great Britain Gareth Johns, winner of Best Welsh Cheeseboard 2008 and 2011 at the British Cheese Awards, Local Food Heroes 2008-9 Highly Commended (Wales), Penderyn Welsh Restaurant of the Month for June 2008 and first Welsh winner of the Michelin Gastro Pub Award.

He is also the Convivium Leader for Slow Food Dyfi Valley, founder member of Welsh Culinary Associations and a Slow Food Ambassador Chef for Wales.

"I firmly believe that Welsh food is amongst the best in the world and it's time more people knew that," said Mr Johns.

[caption id="attachment_3644" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Gareth Johns, judge for the overall winner category[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3637" align="aligncenter" width="500"] DON'T TAKE THE COW OUT OF COWBRIDGE: From left, FUW administrative assistant Christine Anstee, county chairman Glyn Jones and area officer Nia Jones.[/caption]

Farmers' Union of Wales members in Glamorganshire have adopted the slogan "Don't take the Cow out of Cowbridge" in their bid to save their local cattle mart.

They revealed the slogan when they marched through the streets of the Vale of Glamorgan town to protest against the proposed closure of the mart.

"The closure of Cowbridge mart would remove a vital lifeline from the town and also make it necessary for farmers to travel far greater distances to sell their stock," said FUW county executive officer Glyn Davies.

"The market deals on average with over 1,000 lambs a week during the summer and autumn period, which makes it clear that the market is vital for local farmers. It is crucial the existing market is kept open as there are no proposed alternative sites," added Mr Davies.

The protest was the biggest demonstration the town has seen in recent years as traders and residents combined in an attempt to save the cattle market.

Local farmers used tractors at the front and rear of the march to protect the walkers as they chanted: "Keep Cowbridge Special - Save our Cattle Market!"

The campaign also has the support of Cowbridge Chamber of Trade, Cowbridge Residents' Group, Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council, the Vale Marketing Group, Cowbridge Charter Trust, Vale MP Alun Cairns, Vale AM Jane Hutt and regional AM Andrew R T Davies.

The Vale Council has resolved to sell the cattle market for housing and has invited companies to submit bids for an extra care housing complex that would cater for the needs of the elderly.