The implications of a ‘hard Brexit’ and fear of losing free access to the EU’s Single Market, as well as the pivotal role farming families play in keeping the Welsh economy going, were highlighted by the Langford family from Tredegar in a meeting with local AM and former Welsh Agricultural Minister, Alun Davies.

Wayne, his wife Tracy and daughter Emily, farm at Penrhyn Farm, Nantybwch, Tredegar, which is situated 1,100 feet above sea level at the head of the Sirhowy valley.

The typical family farm extends to 140 acres, half-owned, half tenanted, plus hill rights on the Llangynidr Common and is home to 300 Talybont type Welsh Mountain ewes plus followers, which are kept together with 20 Galloway cross Angus Suckler cows.

Wayne regards the Brexit negotiations pivotal to the future of Welsh Hill farms and was keen to highlight the vital role farmers play in preserving the rural economy.

Speaking on farm, he said: “Farming matters in so many ways that are seldom realised. Not only do farms produce food but they are also the cornerstone of our rural economies. Family farms, in particular, are at the heart of our rural economy, caring for our landscape, and of course our culture.

“They make innumerable other contributions to the well-being of Wales and the UK. Central to such benefits is the production of food and the improvement in domestic food security. 

“All those businesses who supply essential services, materials, and machinery to farmers, through to the farmers themselves and their products, to the processors who turn them into food, and the consumers themselves, have a critical part to play in our rural economy. And that is at stake if we get Brexit wrong.”

Wayne is particularly concerned about a bad Brexit outcome and highlighted that as an industry, Welsh agriculture is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of losing access to the affluent mainland European markets which are on our doorstep.

“The implications of a ‘hard Brexit’ and losing free access to the EU’s Single Market would be particularly acute for Wales. As a family, we are very concerned about it all and urge the next UK Government to do all it can to ensure that those fears don’t become a reality. 

“Of course these concerns don’t fall into the remit of the Welsh Government but I would urge every politician, whether in Cardiff or Westminster, to work in genuine partnership with the agricultural industry and develop a framework of common principles which underpin further policy development. It really is crucial to ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of family farms, for the sake of all our futures.”

During his visit, the former Minister, who was born close to Penrhyn Farm, emphasised that he realised the vital role that farming plays in preserving the uplands of Wales. 

“I would like to thank Alun Davies for joining us on the farm visit and listening to our member’s concerns. I feel encouraged that he pledged to support innovative ways of maintaining stock on common land in order to preserve the ecological balance, and environmental stability of the commons,” said FUW Gwent CEO Glyn Davies.

Farmers from the Vale of Glamorgan came together to quiz the general election hopefuls in an agricultural husting event, which was held at the Bear Hotel in Cowbridge. 

The well-attended event, which was hosted in partnership with NFU Cymru, heard from Alun Cairns (Conservative), Belinda Loveluck-Edwards (Labour) and Anthony Slaughter (Green Party), as the candidates outlined their party policies before the floor was opened to questions from the audience.

FUW Glamorgan chairman Richard Walker said: “I would like to thank the candidates who joined us on the night for their contributions and the thought-provoking conversations. 

“It was by no means a single subject discussion and our farming members engaged with the candidates about some of the more local issues that affect their livelihood and community. 

“Topics including climate change, bovine TB, a second referendum and the current Brexit deal, how Brexit would impact on animal welfare standards and food imports and also the supermarket stronghold on the consumer market and the need for a Grocery Adjudicator with stronger powers. 

“I hope farmers now have a clearer idea of what the parties are offering and feel that they can make an informed decision when they take to the polls on 12 December.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed today’s (Monday, November 25) announcement by Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths that 75% of farmers (almost 12,000) will receive their full BPS 2019 payment on day one of the payment window, while businesses that do not receive their full payment, and have applied for the BPS Support scheme, will receive up to 90% of their BPS 2019 claim value.

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We understand the Welsh Government has been under pressure due to preparations for Brexit and therefore welcome the fact that despite the challenges 75% of farmers will receive their BPS payment.

“The Minister’s decision to once again implement a loan scheme this year was also very welcome, and we have encouraged all our members to apply, and helped many thousands to do just that.

“I would also urge those farmers who have not applied for the BPS loan yet, to do so before the November 29 deadline,” he added.

Those who have applied for the BPS loan, worth around 90% of their estimated 2019 BPS payment, can expect their money to be with them from 9 December. 

Mr Roberts said that most of the money arriving in farm accounts through the BPS would go out in the coming weeks to other businesses which are directly or indirectly involved in agriculture, such as agricultural suppliers and vets, thereby supporting tens of thousands of Welsh livelihoods and businesses.

The Union President also welcomed the confirmation that the Welsh Government intended to extend the Basic Payment Scheme to 2021 - but warned of the dangers and disruption that could be seen if such direct support was abandoned in the future.

“Abandoning direct support that underpins safe, high-quality food production when our key competitors have no intention of doing the same would damage our economy, environment, landscape, language and culture.

Mr Roberts said that the Welsh Government’s excellent track-record over the past fifteen years of releasing a large percentage of direct payments on the first day of the payment window demonstrated how important it was to develop the current scheme and online system, which he described as second to none compared with others in the UK and EU.

“We have the opportunity to carefully develop the current system into something that delivers so much more without losing its core advantages.

“Changes which result in the loss of the current system, which is the envy of the rest of the UK, and its replacement with complex environmental contracts would be a massive own goal and a step backwards - not to mention immensely damaging for Welsh businesses.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales’ has welcomed a UK Government consultation which would see an alternative method of ageing sheep at slaughter but warns that further delay to implementation would be unacceptable.

The consultation proposes to allow a cut-off date to be used when ageing sheep as an alternative to the current method of ageing by dentition.  In sheep, ageing by dentition is deemed inaccurate as incisors can develop anywhere between 9 months and 15 months of age.   

Newly appointed Farmers’ Union of Wales Deputy President Ian Rickman has been recognised for his services to agriculture in Carmarthen with the Farmers’ Union of Wales - United Counties Agricultural and Hunters Society Award.