What could the future in farming look like once the UK has made an exit from the European Union? With speculation of what Brexit might mean in terms of timescales, trade deals, and legislation changing on a daily basis, the industry is facing a level of uncertainty and risk not seen for generations.

To explore the topic further the Meirionnydd branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has invited a panel of high profile speakers to join them for their annual general meeting on Friday, January 27.

The meeting, sponsored by HSBC, is held at the Rugby Club Dolgellau and will start at 7pm.

Speaking on the night are Mr Tom Jones, a past FUW Vice President who represents Wales on the European Social and Economic Committee in Brussels, and is a Non-Executive Director at the Wales Office. He has  vast experience of representing the agricultural industry and rural areas and also the voluntary sector over many years.  He has a distinguished record of public service. Dr Prysor Williams, will also be on the panel of speakers. He is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management at Bangor University and has contributed immensely towards research projects and publications.

Agricultural Manager for HSBC in Mid Wales, Mr Huw Tudor, a farmer’s son from Llanerfyl, Montgomeryshire will also address the meeting as part of the panel discussions.

“This is undoubtedly the biggest issue to affect farming in the near future  and it is no overstatement to say that the farming industry and our rural economies are facing the biggest challenge since the Second World War.

“Many of our young farmers, some in their teens and twenties, were heartbroken by the referendum result and what its implications would be for them and the future of our countryside. So what better incentive could there be for us as an industry and politicians on all sides of the debate to work to ensure there is a bright future for those who will take our places in the decades to come.

“So I invite you to join us for the evening's discussions and explore some ideas on the future for agriculture post-Brexit with us,” said FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones.

For more information on the event contact the Dolgellau office on 01341 422298.

[caption id="attachment_7512" align="alignleft" width="300"] Last year's Ceredigion breakfast was a great success - so why not join one of the breakfasts this year?[/caption]

Start your day the Welsh Italian way at the end of January and join the Ceredigion team of the Farmers’ Union of Wales for breakfast.

Two breakfast have been organised as part of the FUW’s Farmhouse breakfast week campaign (January 21 – January 28), which aims to raise the profile of Welsh produce and get politicians, key stakeholders and the general public to really understand the important role the food and drink sector plays in their everyday lives.

The first breakfast is being held on Thursday, January 26, at Neuadd Goffa Felinfach, Lampeter and starts at 8.30am.

A further breakfast starting at 8.30am is held on Friday, January 27, at La Calabria, Rhydgoch, Ffostrasol, Llandysul, where a passion for good food and a love of the Welsh countryside and its people are the driving force behind the Italian family-run restaurant.

Gino Vasami, who farms 110 acres at Rhydgoch farm, Ffostrasol, converted the old milking parlour and set up the La Calabria restaurant for his son Tony in November 2003.

Gino’s father Antonio was captured by the British in the siege of Tobruk, North Africa, and brought to prisoner-of-war camp near Ffostrasol at Henllan. While in captivity Antonio worked on farms in Ceredigion, falling in love with the land and its people.

[caption id="attachment_7513" align="alignright" width="200"] I am excited about the 2 farmhouse breakfasts we are hosting at the end of January and we want you to be a part of what we do[/caption]

On his release he went back to Italy for one year but returned to Ceredigion with his family to farm in 1946. Antonio purchased Hill View farm and started off with just 18 acres and four milking cows. Over the generations the family has gone from strength to strength and expanded the family business to three holdings.

Tony and Gino farm in partnership with Tony Hack and his wife Arlene, of nearby Glasfryn farm and, using their own milk, the family also produce ice cream following an old Italian family recipe for the restaurant.

Mared Rand Jones, the County Executive Officer for Ceredigion, who is organising the breakfast functions, said: “I am excited about the 2 farmhouse breakfasts we are hosting at the end of January and we want you to be a part of what we do.

“I would love you to join us for breakfast; to share not just great food but also your thoughts and worries about the state of the industry, tell us your stories and help us to understand how we can help each other. And there is no better time and place to do all that than over a cuppa with some great food - which is a guarantee at the Felinfach and La Calabria breakfasts.

“So, if that’s something we can tempt you with why not give us a call in the office on 01570 424515 to book your seat at our breakfast table?”

[caption id="attachment_7509" align="alignleft" width="300"] A New Zealand type approach is one the Welsh farming industry would fully support, because it is a genuine partnership between government and farmers in which politicians recognise the need to cull wildlife to control TB[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has rejected proposals to split Wales into five bovine TB regions in its response to a Welsh Government consultation, highlighting the need to tackle the disease in badger populations.

The Welsh Government proposes splitting Wales into two high, two intermediate and one low TB level regions, with different rules applying in each region. The proposals would mean a heightening of Wales’ cattle TB rules, which are already amongst the strictest in the world.

But following a consultation with its twelve county branches, the majority of FUW members rejected the proposals, highlighting the need for meaningful controls which address transmission of the disease from badgers to cattle.

FUW TB Spokesman Brian Walters said: “The consultation paper acknowledges that the level of disease found in badgers in Wales is 6.6 percent, around 1420% higher than the level found in cattle - which is 0.4 percent.

“Members made it clear that the proposal to split Wales up into five regions and further add to what are already the strictest TB controls in Europe would only make sense if badger numbers were reduced in the areas where they are passing the disease on to cattle.”

In 2012, the Bovine Tuberculosis subgroup of the EU Task Force for Monitoring Animal Disease Eradication criticised Welsh Government politicians for replacing a previously planned badger cull with a badger vaccination programme, stating: “There is no scientific evidence to demonstrate that badger vaccination will reduce the incidence of TB in cattle. However there is considerable evidence to support the removal of badgers in order to improve the TB status of both badgers and cattle.”

The latest official report on the badger vaccination programme, which lasted four years and cost £3.7 million, concludes that “Consistent trends in indicators of bTB incidence have not yet been seen…”

By contrast, the government’s official scientific advice had concluded that a badger cull in the area would have led to a significant reduction in the number of herds with TB and cattle slaughtered and actually saved money, despite costs being similar to those of the vaccination programme.

Amongst the proposals consulted upon by the Welsh Government was the adoption of a New Zealand type ‘informed purchasing’ approach to cattle trading, but during a recent Welsh Assembly Climate Change Committee hearing Dr Paul Livingstone, who previously led New Zealand’s successful eradication programme, said nothing was being done in Wales about the disease in badgers, describing the issue as ‘the elephant in the room’.

“A New Zealand type approach is one the Welsh farming industry would fully support, because it is a genuine partnership between government and farmers in which politicians recognise the need to cull wildlife to control TB.

“Without that commitment by Welsh politicians we will never achieve the success seen in New Zealand, Australia and other countries which have implemented successful eradication programmes by tackling the disease in both cattle and wildlife,” added Mr Walters.

[caption id="attachment_7504" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Meirionnydd breakfast bonanza kick-starts at Castell Hen, Parc, Y Bala[/caption]

Those living in the county of Meirionnydd can expect a Farmhouse breakfast bonanza at the end of January, with the local Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) team hosting a total of six breakfast functions.

The events are organised as part of the FUW’s Farmhouse breakfast week campaign (January 21 - January 28), which aims to raise the profile of Welsh produce and get politicians, key stakeholders and the general public to really understand the important role the food and drink sector plays in their everyday lives.

“We are building on the success of previous years in Meirionnydd, and for the first time holding 6 events – up from 4 last year! Again we are grateful to everyone for the support and co-operation, and of course to those who are sponsoring the events,” said FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones.

Breakfast functions in the county are being held on the following dates:

• Saturday, January 21, Castell Hen, Parc, Y Bala
• Monday, January 23, Canolfan Siop y Pentref, Llanfrothen
• Wednesday, January 25, Llew Coch, Dinas Mawddwy
• Thursday, January 26, Marchnad Dolgellau
• Friday, January 27, Tymawr, Carrog, Corwen
• Saturday, January 28, Neuadd Llanegryn, Tywyn

Mr Jones added: “We want you to be a part of what we do and I would like to extend a very warm welcome to you all and hope many of you can join us at one of our breakfast functions.

[caption id="attachment_7505" align="alignright" width="300"] There is no better way for bonding people together than with good food![/caption]

“Decision makers and key stakeholders who are joining us will see the vital part farmers play in maintaining our rural communities, in sustaining a viable and profitable agricultural sector and of course producing excellent food.”

To book your seat at a Meirionnydd breakfast table please contact the office on 01341 422298 or e -mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

[caption id="attachment_7501" align="alignleft" width="300"] There really is no better place for bonding people together and sharing ideas than over good food and that’s exactly what we intend to do with these breakfast functions[/caption]

Montgomeryshire farmers are opening up their kitchens for you to join them  for breakfast at the end of January. And who wouldn’t enjoy a freshly cooked breakfast at a farmhouse kitchen table?

As part of the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) breakfast campaign, two breakfasts will be held in the county - Monday, January 23, at Trewythen, Llandinam and on Friday, January 27, at Pen Y Derw, Forden.

This breakfast campaign provides an opportunity to promote the quality premium local produce that farmers grow for us every day of the year and throughout breakfast week the FUW will shine a spotlight on the importance of our rural economy.

Mark Williams, the FUW’s Montgomeryshire County Chairman, who is hosting a breakfast at his farm on Friday, January 27, said:

“I would like to invite you all to join us for breakfast here in Montgomeryshire. There really is no better place for bonding people together and sharing ideas than over good food and that’s exactly what we intend to do with these breakfast functions.

“We want you to be a part of what we do, and share your thoughts and worries about the state of the industry, tell us your stories and help us to understand how we can help each other, so why not give us a call in the office and book your seat at our table?”

Those wishing to attend the breakfast functions need to contact the Newtown office on 01686 626889.

[caption id="attachment_7498" align="alignleft" width="300"] We want you to be a part of what we do. So why not come along after dropping the sheep off at the market and have some breakfast with us?[/caption]

Are you dropping off sheep at the market in Builth Wells on Friday, January 27? Then why not join the Farmers’ Union of Wales Brecon and Radnor team for breakfast before the selling starts at lunch time?

As part of the FUW’s Farmhouse breakfast week, the county office is putting on a wonderful breakfast at the Union’s Pavilion at the RWAS Showground, which starts at 08.30am.

This breakfast campaign provides an opportunity to promote the quality premium local produce that farmers grow for us every day of the year and throughout breakfast week the FUW will shine a spotlight on the importance of our rural economy.

“We want you to be a part of what we do. So why not come along after dropping the sheep off at the market and share your thoughts and worries about the state of the industry, tell us your stories and help us to understand how we can help each other.

“Decision makers who are joining us will see the vital part farmers play in maintaining our rural communities, in sustaining a viable and profitable agricultural sector and of course producing excellent food,” said FUW Brecon and Radnor County Executive Officer Aled Jones.

Over the last year the FUW has been busy highlighting why farming matters – not just in terms of food security but also in terms of our rural economy and our rural communities.

A host of businesses up and down the country have already been supporting the FUW in bringing that message across to politicians over the past 12 months and through farm visits, round table discussions and meetings, the Union has been making great progress in highlighting why #FarmingMatters.

“We want to continue that work and would like to invite you to join us around the kitchen table for breakfast. So why not join us for breakfast and help us to show why farming matters?” added Aled Jones.

To join the FUW’s Brecon and Radnor team for breakfast on January 27 at the Union’s Pavilion, please call the office on 01982 554030.