The FUW opened it’s door widely to welcome young farmers to its pavilion on the second day of the Royal Welsh Show to celebrate their future and involvement with the industry.

Succession and attracting more young people to the industry is a topic the FUW always felt passionate about and FUW Younger Voice for farming Chairman Darren Williams was enthusiastic about the feedback from the under-40s.

He said: “It was absolutely brilliant to have the younger voices of our industry join us for our networking event and listening to them about their hopes, fears, concerns and ambitions for the future. We need the next generation of farmers to be involved and let us know exactly what they want from their future industry. I thank them for joining us tonight and look forward to working with many of them shaping the future of agriculture.”

Teleri Fielden, who recently got awarded the Llyndy Isaf Scholarship joined the networking event saying: “It’s obvious from today that there are so many keen talented young people wanting to get into the industry. It’s going to be a real lost opportunity if we don’t reduce the barriers holding many of them back. Challenges like Brexit, will require the industry to think outside the box and be innovative. That’s why we must make sure that there are dynamic youngsters to continue farming the land in years to come.

“My parents don’t have a farm, so it was really challenging to try and find a way in. It would be good to see more scholarship schemes, like YFC and national Trust offer, which provide a great inroad to farming for those who may not be able to take over a family farm or who just want to run a farm in their own right.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has expressed its concern with the slow Brexit planning process and of the apparent lack co-operation between Governments ahead of the Royal Welsh Show.

“From the very day after the referendum we have been making some very important points time and time again to ensure that farmers and by implication the rural economy are not affected by a badly managed Brexit,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

The FUW has since the referendum result called for a sensible exit timetable, the creation of a UK wide framework that respects the devolved administrations and tariff-free access to the EU market.

“So today I must declare my disappointment with the way things have been progressing,” said Glyn Roberts.

Mr Roberts added that there is still confusion about the timetable that will be expected and that UK Ministers are just beginning to talk about transition or implementation periods, recognising that this will take time.

“With only 20 months to exit, this is gaining in importance each and every day. There is no sign of any discussions for the creation of a Framework for agriculture and nor does there appear to be any indication of when these discussions will begin.

“The EU withdrawal bill does not have any sunset clauses to ensure that devolved powers get to the devolved Governments in a timely fashion. Whilst we do recognise that EU laws cannot at the moment be repatriated directly to Cardiff and that some “centralisation” may well be needed to develop new trade arrangements, it is vital that we are clear when the UK Government will transfer powers to the devolved governments. And under what limiting controls,” added Glyn Roberts.

Mr Roberts stressed that; “Our elected representatives must, I repeat must work together to develop answers to high level issues before we can progress in planning for Brexit. We need to understand the detail of a UK home market framework, we need to understand the ambition to support the food and farming industries, we need to know what balance will be recognised in the importance of food production in relation to environmental issues and we need to know who will be “in charge” and by when.

“And of greatest importance, we need to know and be reassured that the 2 governments concerned are working together for the common good. The farmers of Wales operate in volatile markets and we need to ensure that everything is done to ensure that we protect them whilst also delivering to the standards we have come to accept as normal, and deliver for our environmental benefits.”

Ends

Are you a business in rural Pembrokeshire? Do you farm in your own right or provide a service to the agricultural sector? Maybe you run a cake making business, electrical or plumbing services, crafts, music teaching or food processing. If so, then the Pembrokeshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales wants to hear from you.

The Union branch is once again seeking entries for the Pembrokeshire FUW Countryside Business Award, which will be presented to an individual 40 years of age or under who has developed their own business based in rural Pembrokeshire.

“There are a host of fantastic businesses in rural Pembrokeshire who all do a great job in keeping the wheel of our rural economy turning. With the award we want to recognise the fantastic work our young people are doing to keep the rural areas of Pembrokeshire vibrant and economically active places,” said FUW Pembrokeshire CEO Rebecca Voyle.

To be eligible for the award the individual must be 40 years of age or under on 1 January 2017 and be actively involved in a business based in rural Pembrokeshire. A £200 cash prize, perpetual trophy and a year’s free membership will be awarded to the winner.

“I am really looking forward to receive entries for this award, so if you think your business stands out from the crowd or you know someone who runs a top rural business then get in touch with us to put them forward. But please check with them before sending in the nomination that they are happy for you to do so,” added Rebecca Voyle.

Entry forms are available from the FUW office in Pembrokeshire, so either call on 01437 762 913, or send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , to request your form. The deadline for entries is Friday 15 September, 2017.

Bloggers, Snap-Chatters, Instagrammers, Facebookers and Tweeters can all enjoy free wifi at this year’s Royal Welsh Show, thanks to the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

The FUW is once again sponsoring the free-wifi, understanding how important access to this 21st century tool is and is asking show-goers to share their snaps and experiences online.

FUW Marketing and Membership Manager Teleri Fielden said: “I am really looking forward to the show and hope that everyone coming enjoys the free wifi. Not having access to the internet is something many people simply can not imagine and now they don’t have to, at least not at the biggest agricultural show in Wales.

“Digital technology has transformed so many lives in other areas that we must look to exploit it in agriculture too. It may not be exciting to some generations, but we also have to recognise that technology is second nature to many younger farmers in particular.

“So share your #FarmingMatters snaps and tweets with us during show week on Twitter @FUW_UAC and Facebook @FarmersUnionofWales. The best tweets and pics to show how and why #FarmingMatters will be in with a chance to win a pair of free tickets to the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.”

Where does our food come from and could farming be a career? Those were some of the questions put to primary school children in Glamorgan.

Providing answers to these questions were Farmers’ Union of Wales members, Nicola and Tom Lewis of Neuadd Wen Farm, Llanharan, Pontyclun, who joined Year 1 to Year 3 pupils at Llansannor and Llanharry Church in Wales Primary School, as part of their careers day.

FUW Glamorgan CEO Rachel Saunders said: “Nicola and Tom did a great job engaging the children and talked about where all our food comes from. The kids were extremely interested and were all answering questions as well as asking lots of relevant questions too.

“It’s really important that we teach our children where their food comes from. It was shocking to hear that, according to a recent survey by the British Nutrition Foundation, many children think that cheese comes from plants, tomatoes grow underground and fish fingers are made of chicken.”

Helping to show his fellow pupils how to feed lambs, was 7 year old Morgan Lewis, who with the help of his parents, Nicola and Tom, brought in his pet lambs - Amy and Millie. Children at the school also got the chance to milk a real-life sized wooden cow, which was provided by Ty Tangylwyst Farm.

Tom, who aside from running the home farm with wife Nicola, also works part time as an agricultural engineer for Riverlea tractors, said: “We had a great day at the school and really enjoyed showing the children as much as we could about farming. Working in agriculture can be an exciting career choice, offering a huge variety of opportunities for highly skilled and ambitious people. I am concerned that not enough is being done in schools or by careers advisers to promote careers and opportunities in the sector.

“Agriculture is a global industry that uses cutting-edge technology, innovates constantly and makes important contributions to the national economy. In Wales alone nearly 60,000 people are employed either full time or part time on farm holdings and the sector is also the cornerstone of the £6.1 Billion Welsh food and drink supply chain industry.”

Nicola, who also works part time for Bridgend’s rural development team, said: “Farming and agriculture has a lot to offer and of course, we need a next generation of farmers. Aside from educating our children about where their food comes from, we must also increase our efforts to change the perception of the sector. We need to attract new entrants, come up with solutions and provide assistance for young people to overcome barriers to the industry.”

Rhymney Valley beef and sheep farmer Brian Bowen opened the doors to Pencoedcae farm to discuss important #FarmingMatters with Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney AM Dawn Boden.

Brian, who is the Farmers’ Union of Wales Policy Delegate for South Wales farms 2000 breeding ewes and around 150 suckler cows on the 1250 acre (rented and owned land) at, Princetown, Tredegar, along with his father, mother and his son.

Speaking at the visit Brian Bowen said: “Farm businesses, and family farms in particular, are an essential part of the economic, social, and cultural fabric of Wales.

“Welsh food production sustains tens of thousands of other businesses – from upstream businesses such as feed merchants, agricultural contractors and engineers, to downstream businesses such as hauliers, processors and retailers.

“Farmers are an exceptional conduit for money, so if their businesses are thriving they reinvest and this, in turn, brings wealth to second and third sector businesses and the wider rural economy.”

Farmers and FUW representatives on the day further stressed that irrespective of what trade deals are in place post-Brexit, within the UK, Welsh farmers will compete against their counterparts in other devolved regions.

“It is critical that everyone understands just how much #FarmingMatters and I would like to thank the businesses who came to join us here and echoed that sentiment.

“Following the downturn in agriculture over recent times and across almost all sectors, it is critical that we acknowledge the importance of a thriving agricultural sector on the economy – both locally and much further afield. ”

Dawn Boden further heard that around 60,000 people are employed on farm holdings in Wales, in addition to the thousands employed in businesses which are reliant on agriculture such as contractors, feed and machinery merchants, mechanics etc.

[caption id="attachment_8106" align="alignright" width="300"] "It is critical that everyone understands just how much #FarmingMatters and I would like to thank the businesses who came to join us here and echoed that sentiment. " - Brian Bowen[/caption]

“The wider contributions to our economy are also well documented, for example, in terms of tourism, while agriculture has been acknowledged as the single most significant contributor to an estimated £1.9 billion worth of wildlife based activity in Wales per annum (Mabis, 2007), the Welsh countryside, managed by farmers, provides the backdrop for the tourism industry worth over £2.5 Billion,” added Brian Bowen.

The visit was joined by a variety of local businesses and common land associations, including John Richards of The Prince of Wales pub, Price Farm Supplies, T Alun Jones Machinery, Neil Davies of PMR, Bowketts Feeds, Rees Agri, Clee Tompkinson and Francis Estate Agents, Land Agent Chris Smith, Llangynidr Commons Secretary Colin Greeves, and Merthyr Gelligaer Commons Chairman Huw Williams.

Dawn Bowden, Welsh Labour Assembly Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney said: “I am grateful to the FUW  for inviting me to Pencoedcae Farm to meet with farmers and representatives of local business which are heavily reliant on farming.

“It was helpful to hear at first hand the challenges facing the farming industry, particularly in the context of the many uncertainties surrounding Brexit. The discussions brought home in very clear terms that “farming matters”, and I look forward to working with organisations like the FUW, alongside farmers and businesses in my constituency as we face the challenges ahead.”