The Anglesey branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales held a successful meeting with local AM Nathan Gill, discussing #FarmingMatters of concern at the Bull Hotel, Llangefni.

Funding for agriculture post-Brexit was top of the agenda and Union officials also discussed the importance of local procurement.

Heidi Williams, the County Executive Officer for Anglesey, said: “I would like to thank Nathan Gill for meeting with us to discuss farming matters.

“We made it very clear that we need precise Brexit planning and that Welsh agriculture needs to be on top of the agenda for the Welsh Government.

“There is no doubt that Welsh farmers need at least the same level of support after we make an exit from EU that they receive now – especially if we want to guarantee a level playing field.”

Talking about the issue of local procurement, Mrs Williams added: “The issue of local procurement was also raised with Mr Gill and we took the opportunity to raise the point that it is important to recognise that local procurement represents an investment in Welsh businesses and raises the profile of Welsh produce in the eyes of consumers.

“And of course, if we have those local procurement policies in place and trade deals that suit us, we can encourage the creation of new companies and cooperatives, which of course will bring many benefits with them such as local employment and redressing imbalances that currently exist throughout the supply chain.”

Also attending the meeting was Gwynedd Evans of Emyr Evans a’i Gwmni, one of North Wales’s largest stockist of tractors and machinery.  The company, which employs 30 staff, joined the FUW in voicing concerns about future trade deals with Europe.

The Denbighshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales held its annual general meeting on Monday, November 14, to discuss issues of concern and #FarmingMatters with members in the county.

The meeting was held at the Brookhouse Mill, Ruthin Road, Denbigh and was well attended by members.

Guest speakers on the night included HSBC North Wales Agriculture Director Bryn Edmunds, FUW Head of Policy Dr Nick Fenwick, and Dan Joyce and Andrew Reece-Jones of Ifor Williams Trailers.

Messrs Joyce and Reece-Jones gave a presentation on the history and present work of the company, which is still based in the original area of Cynwyd near Corwen and employs up to 500 people.

HSBC North Wales Agriculture Director Bryn Edmunds explained how  Brexit may influence financial aspects of the farming industry in future, making references to trade tariffs and the exchange rate of the dollar and the Euro.

FUW Head of Policy Dr Nick Fenwick gave a report on how important it was to ensure that farmers in Wales were given the best possible deal following Brexit.

Dr Fenwick said: “There were numerous questions from members with a not surprising emphasis on the implications of Brexit.

“It was very useful to hear views from the rural banking sector and a company which imports raw materials and also exports its products all over the world and is therefore significantly affected by exchange rates and trade tariffs.”

FUW Denbigh and Flint County Executive Officer Assistant Gwennan Williams, said: “I would like to thank our panel speakers for joining us for the Denbighshire annual general meeting and of course our members for attending.

“Members discussed various issues and #FarmingMatters, including the effect Brexit has had on the agricultural industry and agricultural policy issues in general with the speakers. In addition we heard about the success of Ifor Williams Trailers Company. The presentations were followed by a question and answer session, which we really enjoyed.”

[caption id="attachment_7248" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW Flintshire County President Tim Faire, Farming Connect Development Officer Marial Edwards, Guto Bebb MP for Aberconwy, FUW Flintshire County Chairman Eurwyn Roberts and FUW President Glyn Roberts.[/caption]

A successful annual general meeting has been held by the Flintshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales, with trade deals and post-Brexit planning high on the agenda.

The meeting was held on Friday, November 4, at Cilcain Village Hall and was well attended by members.

Speaking at the event were FUW President Glyn Roberts, MP for Aberconwy Guto Bebb, who attended in his Wales Office Minister role and  Farming Connect local Development Officer for Flint and Wrexham Marial Edwards.

Members enjoyed discussing #Farming Matters with Guto Bebb, including planning for the agricultural industry post-Brexit, the risk represented by the introduction of trade tariffs, and the importance for farm businesses and the rural economy of securing an appropriate budget for agriculture and rural development.

FUW President Glyn Roberts stressed the importance of careful Brexit planning and explained that the FUW is working hard for Welsh farmers to ensure they get the best possible deal once the UK has made an exit from the European Union.

Mr Roberts said: “The recent decision by the High Court means that the government cannot trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to begin formal exit negotiations with the EU on its own, which adds further to the confusion already surrounding Brexit planning.

“This decision has introduced more instability at a time when we can really do without it. The Brexit planning process has occupied us for many months now and while we welcomed the Prime Minister’s recent clarification about a timeline for the Article 50 process, we maintain our view that our exit should coincide with the end of the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework budgetary period.”

With regard to the imminent trade negotiations with the EU and other regions, Mr Roberts said: “It is essential that new trade policies give Welsh producers maximum benefits, both in terms of exports and domestic markets.”

Farming Connect local Development Officer for Flint and Wrexham Marial Edwards, explained the full range of support and services available under the new, enhanced Farming Connect programme, which includes one to one surgeries, training in various skills and study visits, some of which could be fully funded.

FUW Denbigh and Flint County Executive Officer Assistant, Gwennan Williams, said: “I would like to thank the panel of speakers for their contributions to the evening. We enjoyed the wide ranging discussions and I would also like to thank our members for joining us on the evening. I am sure the arguments put forward will provide much food for thought.”

The Pembrokeshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales held a successful bingo evening in aid of British Heart Foundation Cymru, on Thursday November 10.

The charity event was held at Haverfordwest Cricket Club and raised £403.96 for BHF Cymru.

FUW Pembrokeshire County Executive Officer Rebecca Voyle said: “I would like to thank all of our members and friends of the Union who joined us for the evening and helped us raise a great amount of money to support the fantastic work BHF Cymru do.

“BHF are the nation’s heart charity and the largest independent funder of cardiovascular research. Coronary heart disease is the UK’s single biggest killer and their pioneering research has helped to transform the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions.

“Their work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are helping to change the face of the UK’s fight against heart disease and I am really pleased that we have been able to add some more money to their research fund.”

 Farmers who have entered into the Glastir Organic scheme are being reminded by the Farmers’ Union of Wales to submit their Glastir Organic Business Plan (GOBP), to comply with their contracts, by the end of the year.

The GOBP must be completed and submitted to Rural Payments Wales (RPW) by 31 December 2016 via RPW Online.

FUW Policy Officer Charlotte Priddy said: “It is absolutely vital that members submit their GOBP by no later than 31 December as their 2016 annual claim will not be validated otherwise.

“A business plan template is available for existing Glastir Organic contract holders on the Welsh Government website, which members may find helpful.”

Mrs Priddy added:“If your Organic Control Body ceases to certify any of the land included in your Glastir Organic Contract, that land will be removed from your Glastir Organic Contract and any payments received to date may be recovered.”

The FUW is further reminding farmers that the completed plan must be submitted to their Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online account.

“You can complete the plan by typing your answers into the spaces provided, or by printing the plan and handwriting the answers. However, if you handwrite the answers, you will have to scan the plan to enable it to be submitted to RPW Online,” added Mrs Priddy.

Further advice and guidance notes can be found on the Welsh Government website here

From left, Dairy Show president Brian Thomas, Rita Jones and FUW deputy president Brian Thomas.[/caption]

Rita Jones, Head of Wales Farm Liaison Service at Welsh Government Agricultural Department at Carmarthen, has been recognised for her services to agriculture in Carmarthen with the Farmers’ Union of Wales - United Counties Agricultural and Hunters Society award.

FUW Carmarthen County Executive Officer David Waters, said: “Rita is highly thought of by farmers and all associated with agriculture in general.

“Her contribution, knowledge and help to Welsh farmers over the years has been invaluable. She’s always very helpful and as a farmer’s daughter, she understands the challenges all farmers face. Rita is very deserving of this award.”

The Welsh Government’s Farm Liaison Service, which provides guidance and advice for farmers on new rules and regulations, was developed from a pilot scheme that was established by Rita Jones in 2001 in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis.

Since that time Rita has offered an invaluable service to local farmers, particularly in terms of assistance with record keeping and form filling requirements associated with the rules of the Single Payment Scheme, which was introduced in 2015.

Rita Jones has played a crucial role in bringing the Welsh Government and agricultural industry closer together and continues to play an important role in assisting farmers in Carmarthenshire and throughout the whole of Wales.

Hailing from Cynwyl Elfed, Rita is a founder member and was the first secretary of Cynwyl Elfed Young Farmers Club. She has a long association with the YFC movement in Carmarthenshire and has assisted many local YFC members with preparing for Public speaking competitions over the years.

In addition, Rita Jones was awarded the MBE in 2006 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to Welsh agriculture and in 2008 she was made an Associate of the Royal Agricultural Society.

Rita Jones was also made a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society in 2013 for her contribution to the agricultural industry.