The Farmers’ Union of Wales is joining high-level Brexit discussions with Minister of State for Exiting the European Union, the Rt Hon David Jones MP in London, to ensure the voice of Welsh farmers is heard at the very top of Government.

FUW President Glyn Roberts, said: “The Agri-Food Sector Exiting the European Union roundtable discussions will provided the FUW with a welcome opportunity to stress that Welsh agriculture must not be ignored in any Brexit negotiations and in planning our exit strategy.

“We will also remind the Minister that the current bovine TB situation here in Wales could still pose a risk to future trade deals. The problem is not exclusive to Wales and we are anxious to ensure that all Governments are addressing the risks to trade appropriately.

“In addition, tariff-free access to EU markets is essential, particularly for the Welsh sheep sector, and the current levels of bovine TB are likely to be used against us in any trade negotiations.

“We also hope to get a better understanding of the UK position and how this is going to affect Wales and our rural economies. Further, we will take our priorities to the talks and make the case for Welsh farmers, highlighting that it is in the interests of all countries for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU to take place as smoothly as possible and over an appropriate transition period, as opposed to the ‘hard Brexit’ advocated by some.”

Farmers’ Union of Wales officials will meet with Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) George Eustice next week, to discuss the future for agriculture in light of the planned exit from the European Union.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We look forward to once again meeting  with George Eustice to further discuss #FarmingMatters, and expect to have wide ranging discussions on future support structures and possible UK framework agreements.

“The Farmers’ Union of Wales speaks exclusively on behalf of the farmers of Wales, with no external influences and we are determined to develop the best possible solutions for the farmers of Wales in any future agricultural settlements.”

[caption id="attachment_7290" align="alignleft" width="300"] The winner of the English category was Caleb Vater, 9, of St Nicholas House, Christ College, Brecon.[/caption]

Farmers’ Union of Wales president’s chosen charity – British Heart Foundation Cymru – is a winner thanks to a Wales wide primary school competition, organised by the Union, to design a Christmas card with a farming theme which attracted hundreds of entries.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The competition was a roaring success, attracting hundreds of entries from across Wales. The standard was very high and presented the judges with a tough task when it came to choosing the winners.

“I would like to thank every single child who entered the competition and to tell them that without their participation the contest would not have been such a success. I would also like to express my gratitude to the staff at the schools up and down the country that assisted the FUW in the running of the competition.

“It gave children in urban and rural areas of Wales an opportunity to connect with the farming industry and express their thoughts in a creative and colourful way, showing why #FarmingMatters. I believe it is vital that we as farmers maintain a strong link with young people so that they understand the way that food is produced in this country.”

The competition was split into two categories – English and Welsh designs. The Welsh category was won by Savanna George, 10, of Henry Richard School, Primary Campus, Tregaron. Her winning design depicted a colourful line-up of farm animals, all dressed with Christmas hats, featuring the slogan ‘Amaeth Am Byth’.

[caption id="attachment_7289" align="alignright" width="300"] Enillydd y categori Cymraeg oedd Savanna George, 10 oed o Ysgol Henry Richard, Campws Cynradd, Tregaron.[/caption]

The winner of the English category was Caleb Vater, 9, of St Nicholas House, Christ College, Brecon. His winning design shows a farmer driving a tractor across a field with milk and potatoes, as well as a Christmas tree, on the trailer. The Christmas tree is festively decorated with vegetables.

Both win a £30 gift voucher for themselves, a packet of the cards depicting their design and a £50 cheque for their school.

The cards are also available to buy from FUW county offices throughout Wales or by mail order from the union’s head office in Aberystwyth at £5 for a pack of 10.

News that Wales is to benefit from an additional £400 million to its capital budget has been welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

However, the Union stresses that Welsh Government should focus their support on rural communities and improving living standards, with broadband being an area that requires urgent attention.

In his Autumn Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond said: “The investments I have outlined today will have benefits right across the Union. Research and development funding will benefit the United Kingdom as a whole and where responsibility for infrastructure investment rests with the devolved administration in Wales, they will receive the appropriate funding share.

“It is also great news that today I can also confirm wider investments for Wales including working towards new city deals, better broadband and more money for research and development.”

Commenting on the news, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “An extra £400 million for the Welsh economy is welcome news, but the Union urges the Welsh Government to ensure that the money is used to make urgent improvements to our rural areas, including broadband available for rural businesses and communities.

“Our rural towns and villages have been left behind in the race for better and faster connectivity and it is critical for the sake of rural businesses and the economy, that tangible improvements are made now. 2 percent of our population produce around 60 percent of our food. Yet there is a significant part of that 2 percent who remain unable to connect to the internet from their farms.”

The FUW has stressed on many occasions that those without a connection cannot diversify their businesses, that they cannot support children with homework as many need to do and that they cannot connect readily with Government programmes for advice and support payments as they are mandated to do.

“Government talks about ‘future proofing’ our economy in light of Brexit and investment in broadband should therefore be a top priority for the Welsh administration, given the wider economic benefits it will bring to our rural communities,” added Mr Roberts.

The Autumn Statement delivered by Chancellor Philip Hammond today has been described as a mixed bag for rural communities by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

As part of the budget the announcement the Chancellor confirmed that the income tax threshold is to be raised to £11,500 in April, from £11,000 now and the National Living Wage is to rise from £7.20 an hour to £7.50 from April next year.

FUW Director of Finance, David Parker said: “This budget is a bit of a mixed bag for our rural communities. Raising the earnings threshold for tax and increasing the National Living Wage will come as welcome news to those on low incomes, especially in our rural communities. However, a rise in wages may not be so welcome by employers, especially as farm incomes are at an all time low.”

The Union, cautiously welcomed that the fuel duty rise has been cancelled, saving the average car driver £130 and van drivers £350 a year, but stressed that more should be done to help those in rural areas cope with high fuel costs.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The FUW believes the rate of fuel duty needs to be significantly reduced to bring down the overall cost of fuel and with that the cost of living. Yes it is welcome news that there will not be an increase in fuel duty but really what should have happened is a cut in fuel duty.

“The high cost of fuel, including red diesel, has a serious impact on agriculture and the wider rural economy. Many households in rural Wales rely on a car due to the fragmented public transport service and the distance from suppliers and markets means rural businesses are disproportionately affected by high fuel prices. There is also less competition between fuel suppliers and many people living in rural towns and villages are facing higher prices at the pump.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is reminding all those who have an interest in farming matters and who believe that our agricultural industry is the backbone of the rural economy to make their voices heard at all levels, by messaging their elected representatives through an online lobbying tool on the Union’s website.

“Whilst our officials are out continuously lobbying key decision makers and politicians at Westminster and Cardiff level, our members can also lobby their elected politicians,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

Currently based on the #FarmingMatters campaign, members and all those who recognise the importance of a thriving rural economy can find their elected representatives on the FUW website - http://fuw.org.uk/find/ - by entering a postcode and then choosing who they want to e-mail.

There is a pre-written campaign letter available for use, but it can be amended if you so wish.

Mr Roberts added: “The more we remind politicians about the importance of farming and its role in the rural economy, the more chance there is that our rural economy will survive and prosper.”

The prepared campaign letter states that the individual wishes to highlight the importance of ensuring agriculture and our rural economy are given sufficient prominence during forthcoming discussions, negotiations and decisions following the referendum on EU membership held on June 23.

It further outlines that farm businesses, and family farms in particular, are an essential part of the economic, social, and cultural fabric of Wales; around two out of every five rural businesses are classed as being involved in the farming industry (Welsh Assembly Government, 2001), while agriculture is estimated to support over 10 per cent of Wales’ full time employees (Central Science Laboratories, 2003).

The letter further draws attention to the fact 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.

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).

“Those who are submitting the letter to their elected politicians through the FUW website, urge them to recognise the degree to which farming matters to their constituency, Wales, and the UK, including in terms of food security at a time of global instability, and is asking them to do all they can to prevent the devastating impact further cuts in farm incomes would have not just for agriculture, but for our entire rural economy,” added Mr Roberts.