A Welsh farmers' leader today called on the EC to release supplies from its intervention stock of cereals in a bid to combat soaring prices on the European market.

"There are growing fears that Welsh livestock farmers' incomes will be seriously undermined by increasing costs of animal feed due to the strong demand for grain on the world market which is driving up prices," said Farmers' Union of Wales president Gareth Vaughan.

"I am well aware that over the past month or so the price some Welsh farmers have paid for animal feed has increased by around £25 a tonne," said the Newtown sheep farmer.

The world market situation is currently dominated by the Russian export ban and Ukrainian moves to curtail grain exports following devastating droughts in both countries this summer.

"Although we have an increasing number of farmers growing cereal crops, traditional Welsh farming is still very much dominated by livestock rearing and the industry is at the mercy of ever-increasing production costs," said Mr Vaughan.

"Unfortunately, the EC is reported to have concluded that there is 'not an urgent need to release stocks from intervention'.

"But consideration of releasing such stocks, to keep grain prices in check, has continued to gather apace within the European feed industry and some member states, particularly net grain importer Spain.

"I believe the UK government should also be demanding similar action to safeguard the immediate prospects of Welsh agriculture," Mr Vaughan added.

Earlier this month the European Feed Manufacturers' Association, FEFAC, called on the Commission to release some of the five million tonnes of intervention cereals (mostly barley) which the EU currently holds.

"Placing such stocks back on the EU market is essential to help combat undue speculation and price volatility," the group said, warning that a degree of "artificial" price inflation is occurring in addition to the impact of poor harvests in key supplier countries.

The Farmers' Union of Wales welcomed Defra's proposed additional measures to help control bovine TB in cattle and pledged to consult its members on today's announcement by Agriculture Minister Jim Paice.

"With Wales's long border with England there are obvious implications for our members in those areas and we will be consulting with them in order to make a full response to the Defra consultation," said the union's bTB spokesman Brian Walters.

Defra is proposing issuing licences to farmers and landowners who wish to cull and/or vaccinate badgers at their own expense.

These licences would be subject to strict licence criteria to ensure badger control is done effectively, humanely and with high regard for animal welfare.

Defra says culling will only be allowed in areas where there is a high incidence of bovine TB in cattle and following the consultation they intend to publish a comprehensive and balanced bovine TB eradication programme early in 2011.

Meanwhile in Wales the Assembly's Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones remains committed to eradicating bovine TB through a "comprehensive programme" despite a legal set-back earlier this summer on a proposed badger cull in south-west Wales.

She intends to make a statement to AMs on the matter shortly.

Mr Walters added: With the cost to the taxpayer expected to reach more than £30m this year, bTB remains a major concern for the Welsh Assembly Government and one of the most serious economic issues facing the Welsh farming industry.

"And for those forced to watch their businesses being closed down and their animals removed for slaughter, the emotional cost is one that cannot be assigned a monetary value."

The Farmers' Union of Wales is inviting students living within the old Glamorgan county boundary - who have been accepted for a course in agriculture - to apply for a financial contribution towards books and equipment.

It is expected the union's Walter Rowlands Memorial Fund will be able to provide a total of £300 for successful students next year. This year it awarded £100 each to two Aberystwyth University students living in Glamorganshire.

Application forms and further details will be available at the union's mobile unit during this Saturday's (September 18) 51st all-Wales ploughing and hedging championships at Boverton Place Farm, near Llantwit Major.

Those wishing to apply are required to write a letter covering the following points - Your interests; Your activities; Details of the course for which you have been accepted; Your future ambitions; Why you think you should receive the award?

Letters should be sent by November 30 to Walter Rowlands Memorial Award, Farmers' Union of Wales, 58 Eastgate, Cowbridge CF71 7AB.

Mr Rowlands was the FUW's first county executive officer in Glamorganshire. He served the union from 1956 to 1985 when he passed away prematurely.

An open meeting organised by the Farmers' Union of Wales' Glamorgan branch to discuss the Welsh Assembly Government's (WAG) Glastir agri-environment scheme will take place on Tuesday September 21 at Heol-y-Cyw Rugby Club, Heol-y-Cyw, near Bridgend, at 7pm.

"The meeting will give an insight into how Glastir could provide an opportunity for farm businesses," said FUW Glamorgan county executive officer Adrian Evans.

"It will also be an opportunity for farmers to obtain further guidance and clarification before making the final decision on whether to apply for Glastir. There will be a presentation about the scheme from David Morris, WAG's head of CAP reform."

Two Glastir habitat identification training events for dairy farms will be held during the next few weeks - at Gelli Aur, Llandeilo, on September 30 and Llysfasi, Ruthin, on October 1. Contact the Dairy Development Centre on 01554 748570 for further details.

WAG officials are also holding Glastir surgeries for farms across Wales in October and November. They will not be able to help farmers complete application forms or take in completed application forms.

And before attending a surgery farmers are advised to check their application form in advance, whilst noting the points threshold required to enter the scheme.

To obtain maximum benefit from attending a surgery farmers should take along their 2010 SAF maps, details of any other agri-environment schemes they are currently participating in (maps and agreements) and any other information they think will help.

All surgeries are being held from 10.30am - 6pm in the following WAG divisional office areas.

CAERNARFON: October 14 - Ruabon Village Hall, Ruabon, Wrexham; October 18 - Henfaes Research Centre, Bangor University, Abergwyngregyn; October 21 - Caerwys Town Hall, Caerwys, Mold; October 25 - Bull Hotel, Llangefni; October 27 - Y Ganolfan, Porthmadog; November 1 - Coleg Meirion Dwyfor, Dolgellau; and November 2 - Stafell y Plwyf, Cerrigydrudion, Corwen.

LLANDRINDOD WELLS: October 15 - Llandinam Village Hall, Llandinam; October 18 - Penybont Community Centre, Penybont, Llandrindod Wells; October 22 - Coleg Gwent, The Rhadyr, Usk; October 27 - The Welfare, Brecon Road, Ystradgynlais; October 29 - Guilsfield Old School, Guilsfield; November 3 - Town Hall, High Street, Cowbridge; and November 5 - Brecon Livestock Market.

CARMARTHEN: October 12 - Llandovery Rugby Club; October 14 - Llety Ceiro, Bow Street, near Aberystwyth; October 20 - Picton Centre, Haverfordwest; October 21 - Black Lion Hotel, Llanybydder; October 26 - Crymych Rugby Club; and November 4 - Forge Motel, St Clears.

The Farmers' Union of Wales has stressed that farmers should be regarded as professionals when treating their livestock and not as mere "members of the public" as proposed by the UK's Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).

The union's view is highlighted in a report it sent today to the VMD which is proposing banning the advertising of antimicrobial medicines (antibiotics).

Such a move would be the first step in bringing the UK into line with parts of Europe where farmers are considered "members of the public" and adverts for other products such as wormers and vaccines are also banned.

Discussions are already underway in Europe which could also see UK farmers classed as "members of the public" rather than skilled professionals, potentially extending the ban to cover more veterinary products.

"If these proposals are approved by Ministers, companies would be banned from advertising animal medicinal products to farmers leaving them without key information on animal health and disease as only vets would then be allowed to market such products," said FUW deputy president, Bala beef and sheep farmer Emyr Jones.

After consulting all its 12 county branches, the FUW has written to VMD pointing out that livestock farmers have the required training, experience and knowledge to be defined as "professionals".

"Given that farmers are entrusted with producing food that is safe to consume and is produced to high environmental and welfare standards, the Union believes it is imperative that they should be able to easily receive essential information which directly affects the health of the livestock under their care," Mr Jones said.

An advertising ban was also firmly rejected by farmers in a Farmers Guardian poll this week in which 94 per cent of respondents said they were strongly against any reclassification of farmers' professional status.

Eighty-seven per cent said they were "strongly against" the ban with nine per cent saying they were "slightly against". Only six of more than 500 respondents said they were either slightly or strongly in favour of the VMD's plans due to come into force this December.

"Our consultation and the Farmers' Guardian's poll clearly illustrates that an advertising ban would be a backward step for animal health and welfare at a time when we are striving to prove to consumers how responsible and professional livestock farmers really are," Mr Jones added.

Former Welsh rugby international Rupert Moon will be on familiar ground as master of ceremonies at a special dinner at Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli, organised by the Farmers' Union of Wales' Carmarthenshire county office as part of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) 150th anniversary celebrations.

RABI is the main charity solely dedicated to assisting the farming community and during 2009 it "expended" £282,103 in Wales in support of beneficiaries - far in excess of the £29,386 raised in Wales by various county committees.

"In Carmarthenshire RABI expended £67,034 during 2009 while the total the county's committees raised was £6,225," said FUW's county executive officer Meinir Bartlett.

Proceeds from the dinner - to be held on Thursday, November 4 - will be donated to RABI. "It is anticipated that a number of Scarlets players will be present and I am delighted to confirm that the main speaker will be First Minister Carwyn Jones AM.

"Rural affairs minister Elin Jones, FUW president Gareth Vaughan and RABI chairman Julian Sayers will also be attending."

Tickets for the three-course meal at £25 can be obtained by contacting Meinir Bartlett at the FUW County Office, 13A Barn Road, Carmarthen, SA31 1DD. Tel: 01267 237974.