[caption id="attachment_7935" align="alignleft" width="300"] (l-r) FUW President Glyn Roberts, FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas, FUW F&O North Wales member Dewi Owen, FUW Vice President Richard Vaughan, FUW Vice President Brian Walters, FUW F&O South Wales member Brian Bowen and FUW Vice President Eifion Huws.[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has today marked the end of an era, as its long standing Finance and Organisation committee (F&O) have met for the very last time.

The FUW is undergoing a structural change, seeing the incorporation of the business arm of the Union. This change sees the original and long standing F&O committee retired and replaced with a Board of Directors and a Presidential Policy Team.

Elections to the new board and policy team will take place at the Union’s upcoming Annual General meeting on June 12.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “I would like to thank all those long standing F&O committee members, past and present, for their dedication to this Union and for believing in the change we are now making.

“Like all organisations the FUW is looking to the future. We have made a significant impact on the Welsh Agricultural scene since our creation in 1955 and we look forward to an exciting future, with a new team at the helm. I wish all those standing for election the very best of luck.”

[caption id="attachment_7932" align="alignleft" width="200"] FUW Montgomeryshire CEO Emyr Wyn Davies[/caption]

Farmers from Montgomeryshire are set to question General Election hopefuls about #FarmingMatters on Monday 5 June at Welshpool Livestock market.
The event is open to all and will start at 12.30 pm.

FUW Montgomeryshire CEO Emyr Wyn Davies said: “It is essential for farmers and landowners to have the opportunity to question and query party candidates as well as hearing their views on the future of rural Wales ahead of this critical General Election. I urge our members and everyone who has an interest in the countryside to attend this event, so that they can make a fully informed decision on 8 June.”

For further information contact the FUW Newtown office on: 01686  626889

[caption id="attachment_7926" align="alignleft" width="300"] Former FUW President Bob Parry with Rhodri Morgan[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has today reacted with sadness to the news that former First Minister Rhodri Morgan has passed away at the age of 77.

Mr Morgan has been a great friend and supporter of the FUW during his time in office and the Union extends their warmest condolences to the family.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of former First Minister Rhodri Morgan, who has always been a friend to this Union.

“He understood the challenges farmers here in Wales face and we worked closely with him, most notably during the Foot and Mouth crisis.

“I can only describe him as an ambassador for Wales, a visionary for devolution and someone who had our rural Welsh communities and family farms close to his heart and cared deeply for them. He will be missed by many.”

[caption id="attachment_7920" align="alignleft" width="200"] FUW Anglesey CEO Heidi Williams[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales Anglesey branch and NFU Cymru are joining forces at an upcoming hustings to question their local General Election candidates about #FarmingMatters.
The meeting, which is open to all will be held on Wednesday 31 May, starting at 7.30pm, in the YFC Centre on the Anglesey Showground.

FUW Anglesey CEO Heidi Williams said: “It is essential for farmers and landowners to have the opportunity to question and query party candidates as well as hearing their views on the future of rural Wales. I urge our members and everyone who has an interest in the countryside to attend this event, so that they can make a fully informed decision on 8 June.”

To date, four of the five candidates have confirmed their attendance at this event being James Turner UKIP,  Tomos Dafydd Davies Conservative, Albert Owen Labour and Ieuan Wyn Jones Plaid Cymru.

Refreshments will be available on the night and attendees are requested to inform the relevant Union Offices of their interest in attending.

For further information contact the FUW Llangefni office on: 01248 750250.

[caption id="attachment_7917" align="alignleft" width="300"] Mark Williams is stepping down as Montgomeryshire County Chairman at the end of the month[/caption]

Farmers’ Union of Wales Montgomeryshire County Chairman Mark Williams is hosting a final farm visit and hog roast before officially stepping down from his role at the end of the month.

The farm walk, which will provide an opportunity to see the new poultry unit, is held at Pen Y Derw, Forden on Thursday 25 May and will start at 12pm.

FUW Montgomeryshire CEO Emyr Wyn Davies said: “This farm visit is the last one Mark is hosting in his official chairman role and we hope many you can join us on the day. It’s an excellent opportunity to see the new poultry unit and the farm. We will also have a raffle on the day, with proceeds going to the British Heart Foundation and county funds.”

The event is kindly supported by Lloyds Animal Feeds, Powell & Co Shed Builders and Newquip.

The Anglesey branch of the FUW recently held an information evening for farmers at Anglesey showground to shed light on a variety of #FarmingMatters, which was attended by almost 100 people.

Helping to explain what farmers have to do in order to be successful in their Farm Business Grant application was Trystan Sion, Development Officer Farming Connect and information on animal movements, holding mergers and animal transportation licences, was provided by Janet Phillips, Welsh Assembly Government Farm Liaison Officer.

The meeting was also be joined by Haydn V Jones, Specialist agricultural finance broker who spoke about overdrafts, loans, mortgages, and livestock finance, and Robin Griffiths, Catchment Partnership Co-Ordinator North Wales Welsh Water, spoke about the free pesticide and herbicide disposal scheme in the Alaw and Cefni catchments.

Heidi Williams, FUW Anglesey CEO, said: “Some farmers were still a bit unclear about what they have to do qualify for the Farm Business Grant and that’s why we hosted this information evening. We also discussed the latest developments and policy regarding animal movements and I would like to thank also those who joined us for the meeting and everyone who contributed.”