The FUW’s central dairy committee has branded a two day delay to the introduction of quarantine units in Wales as a miniscule step in the right direction compared with what is needed ahead of the show season.

The Welsh Government recently extended the deadline by which around 6,000 animal isolation facilities would become legally redundant and have to be replaced by certified quarantine units - but only from the 10th of June to the 12th of June.

Farmers were written to regarding the changes in April, and again in mid May, but application forms for quarantine units were not available until 10th May.

“The two day delay is clearly welcome for those attending shows on the 10th and 11th of June, but on the 12th the problem rears its head again,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

“We have asked for the implementation date to be moved to the autumn to allow more time for people to understand the new system and get certified, and to avoid the main show period.

“The extremely proscriptive nature of the rules means these units take time to build, and establishment costs are high - in addition to certification costs.”

Mr Roberts said the committee were extremely concerned that those who fail to establish quarantine units and get them certified in time would be unable to overcome problems caused by the six-day standstill rule where shows were held within days of each other.

“Many people have contacted me raising these concerns, and there are real worries that people will pull entries out of smaller shows in order to prioritise the large ones,” added Mr Roberts.

The FUW had made it clear in its response to a Welsh consultation on introducing quarantine units that abolishing established isolation units was a major concern, and that the onerous and burdensome nature of the rules would be an obstacle for many.

“Our concerns are now exacerbated by the rapid timetable for introduction, so delaying implementation by a few months would be a very sensible move,” said the Union President.

The Denbigh branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has organised a hustings event for farmers and all those who have an interest in agriculture, which will provide a platform to quiz general election candidates on #FarmingMatters and other issues.

The event is held on Tuesday 30 May at Llanfwrog Community Centre ( Tennis Club), Mwrog Street, Ruthin and will start at 7.30pm. The hustings is open to all.

FUW Denbigh and Flintshire CEO Mari Dafydd Jones 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.”

For further information contact the FUW Ruthin office on: 01824 707198

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the recommendation of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee that Wales should set a national target date for freedom from bovine TB.

Alongside a national target date, the report, which was published earlier this month, recommends that interim targets be set for TB eradication in each of the three risk areas within Wales.

Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Senior Policy Officer said: “Other countries, such as New Zealand, Ireland and England have established bovine TB eradication programmes which set target dates for being TB free and the FUW has consistently highlighted this in recent months.

“Having a target date for Wales to be officially TB free provides clarity on the process and focusses the eradication programme. More importantly, it provides accountability and allows the industry to evaluate whether the strategy is working.”

In addition to calls for TB free targets, the Committee report includes 12 recommendations for the future of bovine TB eradication in Wales. These include maintaining reasonable compensation rates, a move towards a regional approach and voluntary risk-based trading.

Committee members also agreed with a proposal to begin targeted badger removal in herds with persistent TB breakdowns.

In responding to the Welsh Government's Refreshed Eradication Programme consultation, the FUW maintained that the risk based trading approach implemented in New Zealand and Australia was coupled with inherent wildlife management.  

“The FUW is pleased to see recognition of the need to deal with wildlife and we would seek to ensure that any strategy for badger removal be extended if benefits could be conferred elsewhere in Wales.

“Whilst the report recommends that any strategy for badger removal should be reviewed and monitored, the Union would also seek to ensure that cattle control policies are offered the same evaluation to ensure that they remain scientifically valid and fit-for-purpose.  

“The current Welsh TB programme continues to focus almost entirely on cattle controls which cannot address the major source of infection that exists in badgers in large areas of Wales. Indeed, highlighting the success of the informed purchasing approaches in New Zealand and Australia, without acknowledging those countries’ commitments to tackling their disease reservoirs is disingenuous.

“As such, FUW members believed that any moves towards risk-based trading should only be introduced if accompanied by a genuine commitment by Government to tackle the disease reservoir present in large parts of Wales,” added Dr Wright.

[caption id="attachment_7867" align="alignleft" width="169"] FUW President Glyn Roberts has met with General Election candidates from all Welsh and UK parties to outline the Union’s key priorities for agriculture[/caption]

Farmers’ Union of Wales officials have met with General Election candidates from all Welsh and UK parties to outline the Union’s key priorities for agriculture in the run up to June 8.

“The outcome of last June’s EU Referendum marked a unique turning point in the history of the UK, and has led directly to the forthcoming General Election - itself unique, given that the key focus of campaigns will revolve around the single issue of Brexit.

“Brexit is therefore a key focus of the FUW’s 2017 manifesto, launched on 3rd May, and we have met with candidates across Wales to discuss the manifesto and our policy priorities for agriculture,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

Mr Roberts said a key manifesto demand was that the next Government negotiates Brexit transitional arrangements with the EU which allow sufficient time to reach agreement on trade and other matters which are in the interests of Wales, the UK and the remaining 27 EU Member States.

[caption id="attachment_7945" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FUW President with Plaid Cymru candidate Liz Saville Roberts[/caption]

“We must seek to reach a long term agreement with the EU which maintains simple and tariff-free access to the EU’s Single Market for Welsh produce and ensures transitional and post-Brexit trade arrangements do not sever established supply chains which are of importance and add value to Welsh and UK produce,” added Mr Roberts.

“The Great Repeal Bill must maintain current balances of power between devolved nations, while also taking into account the concerns regarding disproportionate EU rules, regulations and bureaucracy which led to so many voting to leave the EU.

[caption id="attachment_7944" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FUW President Glyn Roberts with Conservative party candidate Alun Cairns[/caption]

“Above all else, those elected on June 8, must pursue outcomes which negate the risks for those most vulnerable to Brexit scenarios - not least our farming families and rural communities - by ensuring domestic support, trade deals and supply chains are fair and fit for purpose.”

[caption id="attachment_7946" align="aligncenter" width="225"] FUW President with Liberal Democrats candidate Mark Williams[/caption]

In addition the Union stressed that the next Government should work in partnership with the agricultural industry and devolved administrations to develop a UK framework for agriculture which prevents unfair competition between devolved regions and agree to a ten year transition period between the current and any future policies, as well as agreeing to ring-fenced agricultural and rural development budgets which at least reflect those budgets which would have been in place should the UK have voted to remain in the European Union.

[caption id="attachment_7943" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FUW President Glyn Roberts with Labour party candidate Albert Owen[/caption]

“Agricultural and rural development funding to Wales must be allocated outside the Barnett Formula, and in a way which ensures Wales’ historical allocation of funding is not reduced.

“Food security, rural incomes, and local food production must be a priority, and negotiations must focus on the large and affluent market which is on our doorstep, in the form of the EU,” added Glyn Roberts.

[caption id="attachment_7940" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW Head of Policy Dr Nick Fenwick[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has described the Welsh Government’s online Single Application process as a success following the May 15 Single Application Form (SAF) deadline.

FUW Head of Policy Dr Nick Fenwick said: “Our county staff have helped members to fill in around 3,500 forms, and the feedback from members and staff has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Dr Fenwick said there can be no doubt that this positive response is a direct result of the lengths to which RPW went to ensure the involvement of industry representatives when designing the RPW Online system.

“We have been involved since the process was conceived and continue to work with RPW to try and improve the system. We are currently consulting with our staff in order to identify possible further improvements following the 2017 SAF process, and these will be fed back to RPW in the coming weeks. The success of the system clearly demonstrates the benefits and positive outcomes of collaboration. Once again, the approach has shown why it should serve as a template for future collaboration.”

Dr Fenwick also took the opportunity to thank FUW staff and members, as well as RPW staff, for their work and assistance throughout the SAF process.

“The ten weeks leading up to the 15th of May is an extremely busy time of year, with staff and farmers working long hours. We’re indebted to all those staff who have assisted with the SAF process, and to those who have provided advice and helped clear up the odd glitch or problem.”

[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.”