The Farmers' Union of Wales today announced its support in principle of the National Trust's bid to buy an iconic farm in Snowdonia.

Llyndy Isaf, a 614-acre farm in Nant Gwynant, Beddgelert, has been offered for sale to the National Trust by present owner, Ken Owen, who is retiring after farming the land for 35 years.

Mr Owen has given the National Trust a year to raise funds as he believes the organisation is best placed to continue his work and manage the farm sensitively in the future, keeping a balance between farming and conservation and allowing people to have quiet enjoyment of the area.

FUW's Caernarfonshire county executive officer Gwynedd Watkin said: "We welcome the National Trust's plans to invest in the farm and provide an opportunity for a local farmer to earn a living at Llyndy whilst bringing economic and cultural benefits to the community.

"We understand there will also be an offer of part-time work at neighbouring Hafod y Llan which sounds like an ideal package for potential young entrants to the industry.

"This is a unique opportunity to purchase a very special farm that has been very well looked after by the present owner, and if the National Trust is successful in raising sufficient funds we understand they will work with the local liaison committee established 13 years ago by the Trust after it bought the Hafod y Llan farm on Snowdon."

[caption id="attachment_4287" align="aligncenter" width="500"] From left, Baroness Kinnock, Albert Owen MP, Heidi Williams, Speaker John Bercow, Eifion Huws, Gavin Williams and Gerald Thomas.[/caption]

The island's agricultural sector was strongly represented by Farmers' Union of Wales county officials during the recent Anglesey Day at Portcullis House in the House of Commons hosted by local MP Albert Owen.

The FUW's delegation - national vice president Eifion Huws, county chairman Gerald Thomas, county grand council delegate Gavin Williams and county executive officer Heidi Williams - met Mr Owen, Speaker John Bercow and Holyhead-born Baroness Kinnock on the union's stand.

Mrs Williams said: "Anglesey had good representation with various island-based companies and organisations in attendance. Guest speakers included Peter Hain MP and Glenys Kinnock and there was dancing and singing from Parti Dawns Lan y Mor from Holyhead who were all dressed in traditional Welsh costume.

"During the course of the day, discussions also took place between Horizon and the Anglesey Economic department about the future of the island and whether Wylfa B would be going ahead which would mean keeping and creating hundreds of jobs on the island.

"In addition, there was a showcase of Anglesey produce with a vast array on display. The House of Commons sous chef was so impressed that he has decided to put on a dinner in the near future consisting of Anglesey produce.

"Visitors to the FUW's exhibition were mainly MPs who had family or some kind of involvement with Anglesey."

A genuine friend of Welsh farmers and farming in general is how North Wales AM Brynle Williams should be fondly remembered, said Farmers' Union of Wales president Gareth Vaughan today.

Mr Williams was vice chairman of the FUW's Flintshire branch in 2000 when he was one of the leaders of farmers' protests at Stanlow oil refinery at Ellesmere Port when week-long blockades over escalating fuel prices spread and brought the country to a standstill.

"Brynle went on to become chairman of the branch between 2001 and 2003 until he was first elected as a Conservative AM for North Wales," said Mr Vaughan.

"He was also an enthusiastic and popular member of the union's central land use and parliamentary committee at this time and I know FUW members across Wales would want me to pass on their heartfelt sympathy to all his family and friends.

"Since becoming an AM he stayed firmly rooted in his farming background and fought tirelessly for farming and rural areas. He remained a genuine friend of Welsh farmers and farming in general.

"He was always easily accessible, helpful and cheerful. His selfless devotion to securing a better future for Welsh farming will be sorely missed by everyone."

The Farmers' Union of Wales has organised a meeting tomorrow night (Thursday March 31) at the Eagles Hotel, Llanrwst, for electors to meet prospective candidates for the Aberconwy constituency in the Welsh Assembly elections on May 5.

The candidates present will be Janet Finch Saunders (Conservative); Iwan Hughes (Plaid Cymru) and Eifion Wyn Williams (Labour) plus a representative from the Liberal Democrats.

FUW Denbighshire county executive officer Marian Jones said: "We hope that this will be an opportunity for the party representatives to present their policies for the election and it will be a chance to ask questions and discuss various issues with them.

"This is an important meeting as this is the way in which the electorate can ensure the candidates are made aware of the concerns of rural areas, such as the agricultural industry, affordable housing, various services in rural areas, and local government policies."

The Farmers’ Union of Wales today expressed its disappointment after a specially convened meeting of the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) in Llangollen decided to proceed with the proposed extension of the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The proposal will now be sent to the Welsh Assembly Government for a final decision.

The meeting received a number of presentations from parties with an interest in the proposal including FUW Denbighshire and Flintshire counties executive officer Marian Jones who spoke about the union’s objections and concerns over the impact the designation would have on farming and local communities within the area.

Following the meeting Mrs. Jones said: “It has long been recognised that farming has helped to create and maintain the landscape in this area of Wales. We are disappointed that despite the majority of respondents objecting to the plans outlined in the draft designation order consultation, the CCW has decided to pursue its proposal to extend the Clwydian Range AONB.

“The union will continue to highlight its opposition to the designation during the run-up to the Welsh Assembly Government elections,” she added.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales today welcomed the National Assembly’s large majority vote in support of a north Pembrokeshire badger cull but has slammed anti-cull AMs for misleading statements made during the debate at the Senedd.

FUW member and north Pembrokeshire farmer Brian Thomas, who attended the debate, said: “The overwhelming support for the policy is welcome, and gives a clear sign that the majority of AMs are prepared to grasp the nettle and act responsibly regarding a severe disease crisis, despite misleading campaigns by animal rights activists.

“However, I was stunned by the inaccuracy and misleading nature of some of the statements made by those proposing the motion to stop the cull, and it is a disgrace that such statements were made in our National Assembly chamber.”

AMs Peter Black, Lorraine Barrett, Irene James and Jenny Randerson had tabled a motion to annul The Badger (Control Area) (Wales) Order 2011. It was rejected by 42 votes to 8.

“Mr Black quoted what he described as the latest data published by the Independent Science Group in February 2010," said Mr Thomas.

“Yet that group was disbanded almost four years ago, and he chose to quote data and conclusions which he knows were superseded and corrected in July 2010."

Mr Thomas said that this was just one of a series of totally misleading statements made by the anti-cull AMs.

“People have a perfect right to object to culling on whatever grounds they see fit, but for Assembly Members to mislead the National Assembly, whether by accident or otherwise, is disgraceful.

“It is not too much to ask that those who are elected to rule Wales are properly briefed. If Assembly Members receive figures from groups such as Pembrokeshire Against the Cull, which has admitted giving out untruthful and unsubstantiated information in the past, they should be astute enough to check their facts before speaking in our Assembly."

Mr Thomas also hit out at rock star Brian May for his involvement in the anti-cull campaign.

“Brian May describes TB as a ‘‘virus’’. This is so inaccurate it is like describing cattle as a species of fish, and shows that everything else he says should be taken with a massive pinch of salt.

“People who have strong views and are obsessed with single issues tend to be blinkered when it comes to looking at the facts and inevitable get things seriously wrong.

“Thankfully, the majority of AMs have taken a step back, properly assessed the evidence, and supported the cull.”