FREE advice on some of the burning issues facing Welsh farmers will be available at the Farmers' Union of Wales Pavilion alongside the main ring at this year's Royal Welsh Show (July 18-21).

Staff representing The Pension Disability and Carers Service will be in attendance each day to give advice and information on the allowances and pensions payable to farmers and other "customers".

Information concerning solar energy, wind turbines and biodigesters will also be available along with professional advice on rent reviews, compensation claims and grants from Oswestry-based Davis Meade Property Consultants (DMPC) staff.

"This will be an opportunity for farmers to get a free independent opinion on issues that are bothering them and to find out how renewable energy can reduce energy bills and bring in additional income," said Philip Meade, of DMPC.

DMPC staff will also be available to FUW members for a free consultation on their stand at Oswestry Show on August 6 and on the FUW stand at many other shows including Cardigan (July 27), Brecon (August 6), Glamorgan county (August 10), Pembrokeshire (August 16-18), Anglesey Show (August 9-10), Flint and Denbigh (August 18), Merioneth Show (August 24) and the Welsh Dairy Event at Carmarthen (October 18).

Also during the Royal Welsh Show BT Wales representatives will be at the FUW Pavilion to answer questions on the provision of rural broadband and - for the first two days - environment officers and catchment coordinators from Environment Agency Wales will be present to deal with a wide range of environmental and agricultural issues.

"As well as all this free advice, FUW members can expect a warm welcome and a free cuppa and a biscuit if they pop in and renew old friendships," said the union's newly-elected president Emyr Jones.

The Farmers' Union of Wales has welcomed the Welsh Government's commitment to a strong Common Agricultural Policy and recognition of the symbiotic relationship between food production and the environment during a meeting with deputy minister for agriculture Alun Davies.

The meeting, attended by senior FUW officials and staff, was held in response to the minister's commitment at the union's recent annual general meeting to meet with its new FUW president Emyr Jones and deputy president Glyn Roberts.

Mr Jones described the meeting as the first of many useful dialogues between the union and the deputy minister. "In welcoming the deputy minister's statement on the CAP, we emphasised the need for proactive work to be undertaken in order to ensure we get the best deal for Wales," he said.

During the meeting, a broad range of issues relating to the future CAP and the critical decisions which will take place over the coming months were discussed.

"The union emphasised the desperate need for the Welsh Government to drive ahead with modelling work so we know where we currently stand, and where we want to be under the new CAP, given the inevitable move away from the historic single payment model," Mr Jones added.

"Knowledge of such information should be an essential basis for any discussions with Westminster and Brussels over the future of the CAP, and the delay in undertaking such work is regrettable."

During the meeting, the union emphasised its major concerns regarding the Glastir agri-environment scheme and the impact that the possible greening of the CAP might have on the scheme.

"From the outset we have argued that Glastir was rushed in without proper consideration of the impact of the scheme and now the possible mandatory 'greening' of pillar 1 payments could create major problems post-2013 if these measures overlap with Glastir requirements."

The union also highlighted major concerns regarding additional rules relating to the common land element of Glastir which had not been discussed with the industry.

"In their current form these rules are likely to restrict access to the Glastir scheme by Welsh commoners for all but a tiny minority and action must therefore be taken immediately to make access more attractive," said Mr Jones.

"Under its current format the entry level common land Glastir scheme requires compliance with rules which are far more daunting than those which apply to higher level schemes."

The threatened resignation of the three Welsh TB eradication board chairmen reflects the anger and frustration of the Welsh farming industry as a whole regarding the decision to put a north Pembrokeshire badger cull on hold pending a further review of the science.

That was message conveyed by senior Farmers' Union of Wales officials and staff during a meeting with the Welsh Government's minister for environment and sustainable development.

Speaking after the meeting, FUW president Emyr Jones said: "The decision to place a key part of the TB eradication programme on hold, at a time when progress desperately needs to be made, has left the industry angry and disillusioned.

"With support for the programme waning and widespread cynicism across the industry, I made it clear to the minister that the review needed to be completed as soon as possible."

During the meeting the union also emphasised the huge financial burden that TB and its associated restrictions represented for the industry, particularly in north Pembrokeshire.

"From the outset we argued that all aspects of the eradication programme should be taken forward in unison. Yet all we have seen so far is a severe increase in cattle restrictions without any action being taken to control the massive disease reservoir present in the badger population," said Mr Jones.

The union also highlighted a range of other issues of concern which fall within the new minister's portfolio, including the need for appropriate guidance to be issued to planning authorities on Technical Advice Note 6 - which is aimed at helping rural communities to be more sustainable.

FUW deputy president Glyn Roberts, who also attended the meeting, said: "The launch of TAN 6 at last year's Royal Welsh Show marked a major milestone in the union's long campaign to help farming families to build in a way which caters for the next generation.

"It is also aimed at addressing a range of problems including those which accelerate the loss of our young people from rural communities.

"Yet, in the absence of clear guidance, there seems to be a wide disparity in the way different planning authorities interpret the existing guidance which is making it a bit of a postcode lottery around Wales."

Mr Roberts welcomed the commitment given by the minister that guidelines would be issued in the near future.

Other issues discussed with the minister included the role of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy steering group and the National Environment Framework.

Mr Jones described the meeting with Mr Griffiths as an extremely productive one.

"Major frustrations have built up regarding failure by government to engage with those who have a mandate to represent the Welsh farming industry.

"The new minister now has a real opportunity to change this, and ensure proper engagement and dialogue between the Welsh Government and the FUW over the full range of issues which fall within his remit, and the union is also duty bound to continue engagement with the minister on all issues of relevance to agriculture within his ministerial portfolio."

[caption id="attachment_4390" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Heidi Williams with her award[/caption]

The Farmers' Union of Wales Anglesey county branch has once again swept the board to win the union's annual most new members award.

FUW county executive officer for Anglesey Heidi Williams has won the award - which is competed for by all the union's county branches - four times in the last five years and statistics show the branch has doubled the number of new members since 2006.

Mrs Williams believes the secret for enrolling new members is by personal recommendation through word of mouth.

"We are pleased to offer our members a wide range of services which saves them time and effort - we are basically a one-stop shop that provides valuable advice and information," she said.

FUW county branches offer free services for their members such as registering and recording cattle movements, Welsh Government appeals and the completion of single application forms.

Mrs Williams also assists non-farming members with benefit issues and undertakes administration work relating to wills and probate.

[caption id="attachment_4387" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Farmers' Union of Wales Denbighshire area officer Natasha Lewis[/caption]

Farmers' Union of Wales Denbighshire area officer Natasha Lewis has been presented with the union's award for the highest insurance book growth last year.

Natasha, 26, of Hengoed, near Oswestry, received her award from the union's new president Emyr Jones, of Rhosygwaliau, Bala, who said FUW Insurance is by now probably the biggest rural broker in Wales.

"Premium income is growing at £130,000 per month and we can insure all rural risks," he said. "Area officers are working hard and achieving their growth targets.

"To be an effective union we must be properly funded. This award is to acknowledge the best growth performance."

Natasha joined the FUW just over four years ago. "Previously, I worked for the NFU so I have been employed in the insurance industry for just over six years.

"I enjoy being out and about in the countryside meeting lots of different people. I was bought up on a sheep and beef farm in the village of Glyn Ceiriog and attend Llangollen YFC and Whittington and Oswestry YFC."

She lives with her partner Rob Davies who is a dairy farmer. "I have a very strong interest in horses and I have my own Welsh Cob stud Glynllan and in my spare time I enjoy helping on the family farm."

Natasha would be pleased to discuss any aspect of insurance requirements with both new and existing customers. She can be contacted on 07791 561 848.

[caption id="attachment_4384" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Farmers' Union of Wales Carmarthenshire county executive officer Meinir Bartlett[/caption]

An award in memory of the Farmers' Union of Wales top officer in Carmarthenshire for over 20 years has been won by the current county executive officer Meinir Bartlett and her Carmarthen-based team.

Meinir picked up the Owen Slaymaker Award given annually to the county branch that has best promoted the interests of members and the union at every opportunity and effectively raised the union's profile through organised events, functions and meetings.

Mr Slaymaker was the FUW's Carmarthenshire county secretary from 1970-90 and county executive officer from 1990-91 when he died in service.

Presenting the award to Meinir at the FUW's recent annual general meeting, new president Emyr Jones said: "Our agricultural policy, public relations and administration departments assess the winner on the basis of what’s been achieved during the year and who has gone that extra mile on behalf of members.

"They look for quality of policy consultation responses, press contributions and promoting the union and its activities at every opportunity, whilst taking good care of members’ needs."

In addition to farm visits and many other activities, Meinir and her team organised two events at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, including a fund-raising dinner and an “Agriculture & Countryside” display during a Scarlets v Ulster match when a Welsh Black bull was paraded around the pitch.

Meinir joined the FUW 15 years ago after working for the Milk Marketing Board and Milk Marque. During her time with Milk Marque she was in charge of the department dealing with the introduction of the automotive data collection department responsible for recording the number of litres collected and quality results from individual farms.

Paying tribute to her staff and union officials, she said: "I thoroughly enjoy dealing with farmers and all aspects of rural life which I believe are of paramount importance to Wales."

Her hobbies include spending time with her family, history, reading and walking.