[caption id="attachment_7122" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW members discuss #FarmingMatters with Huw Irranca-Davies[/caption]

Farmers’ Union of Wales officials and members met up with Ogmore Assembly Member Huw Irranca-Davies at Blackmill Sheep Sales on Thursday October 13, to discuss #FarmingMatters.

The wide ranging discussions focused on Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs), bovine TB, open access,  future funding for the sector following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union,  planning regulations in the constituency and succession.

FUW Gwent County Executive Officer Glyn Davies said: “I would like to thank Huw Irranca-Davies for meeting with us at Blackmill Sheep Sales to discuss farming matters. The sale serves as a great example of how  important agriculture is to our local community and highlights the contribution made to the rural economy.”

Mr Irranca-Davies added: “As an Assembly Member who represents a large rural constituency, it is always good to meet with local farmers and I welcome any opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have, particularly following the Brexit vote.”

[caption id="attachment_7119" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW members discuss #FarmingMatters with Anglesey AM[/caption]

A successful farm visit has been held by the Anglesey branch of the Farmer’ Union of Wales with Rhun ap Iorwerth AM, on Friday October 14.

The visit was held at Rhos Helyg, Gaerwen home to Iwan and Rebecca Jones, a young couple and tenants of a County Council small holding.

The couple run a sheep and cattle collection centre centrally located on the Island and close to the A55 carriageway.

FUW Anglesey County Executive Officer Heidi Williams said: “I would like to thank Iwan and Rebecca for hosting the visit last week. It was an opportunity for us to raise #FarmingMatters with Rhun ap Iorwerth and we discussed the current rural economy and the importance of the family farm, as well as concerns the industry has in light of Brexit.”

Discussing the importance of Council Farms and their importance in providing a starting base for young people, Mrs Williams added: “The sale of local council holdings is of great concern for us here on Anglesey. Council farms provide a stepping stone for our young people to get into the industry and whilst we appreciate the financial difficulties councils find themselves in, selling off their holdings does nothing to support those who want to get started in the industry.

“It is clear that if we want to ensure that Wales develops its full potential in being a rural economic powerhouse, we must make it attractive for working families to stay. Agriculture can play a huge part in making that happen, given the amount of jobs it has to offer. However, for young people to get a foot in the door there are issues that need to be addressed.

“If the problem of rural depopulation is not addressed with some urgency it could have severe consequences for our rural communities and with that also our rural economy."

[caption id="attachment_7116" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW members enjoy #FarmingMatters discussions with Simon Thomas AM[/caption]

The Montgomeryshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales hosted a positive meeting with Plaid Cymru AM for Mid & West Wales Simon Thomas, discussing #FarmingMatters of concern.

The meeting was held on Monday October 17 at Welshpool Livestock Market and was well attended by Union members, who enjoyed a question and answer session with Mr Thomas.

FUW Montgomeryshire County Executive Officer Emyr Wyn Davies, said: “We enjoyed taking Mr Thomas on a tour of the market, which is reputed to be the largest Prime Lamb market in Western Europe. I would like to thank him for meeting with our members and we had positive discussions on #FarmingMatters, such as the importance of County Council Holdings, bovine TB, government bureaucracy and the potential implications Brexit will have on our local community.”

The Anglesey branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is teaming up with Davies Meade Property Consultants to host a workshop on renewable energy, planning and land related issues including the National Grid’s proposed route through Anglesey.

The workshop will be held at the FUW Anglesey office at 2-3 Glanhwfa Road, Llangefni on Wednesday 2 November.

Heidi Williams, the Union’s Anglesey County Executive Officer said: “We are delighted to welcome our members to this workshop and hope to see many of you here on the day. Please book your free half an hour consultation slot in advance by ringing the county office on 01248 750250.”

A charity quiz night on ‘Farming and Agriculture’ has been arranged by the Farmers’ Union of Wales Anglesey branch in aid of British Heart Foundation Cymru.

The event will take place on Friday, October 28, at Tafarn Y Rhos, Rhostrehwfa and commence at 8pm. The entry fee is £10 for a team of four players.

FUW Anglesey County Executive Officer Heidi Williams said: “This is going to be a great night and all for a good cause. There will be a variety of prizes and a raffle and I am really excited about  the Anglesey Version of the ‘Stop the Bus’.

“I look forward to welcoming you all to the quiz night - I am sure things will turn delightfully competitive as we question your farming and agricultural knowledge.”

To register your team please contact the Anglesey office on 01248 750250. Food is available to order in advance and menus are available from the office (additional cost for these).

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement that it will consider a badger test-and-cull type approach to TB as a small step in the right direction, but says many farmers will be concerned at the implications of splitting Wales into TB zones.

The proposals, announced as part of a TB eradication programme consultation launched by Cabinet Secretary Lesley Griffiths on Tuesday (October 18), include splitting Wales into five regions – one ‘low TB’ area, two ‘intermediate TB’ areas and two ‘high TB’ areas, with differing approaches to eradication in each area.

Speaking at the Senedd in Cardiff shortly after the Cabinet Secretary’s announcement, FUW President Glyn Roberts, said: “The proposal to split Wales into zones based upon TB levels will be welcomed by some, and opposed by others, and we will be responding to these once we have consulted with our membership.

“Targeting infected badgers would be a welcome move, but it is disappointing that it has taken so many years to move back towards common sense after the original comprehensive plan to tackle the disease in wildlife was abandoned by the previous Welsh Government.”

The consultation document – entitled ‘A Refreshed TB Eradication Programme’ – acknowledges the role played by wildlife in transmitting TB, stating that 6.85 percent of badgers found dead since September 2014 tested positive for TB.

According to the latest figures released by DEFRA, the equivalent figure for Welsh cattle is around 0.4 percent.

“This equates to around 1 in every 15 badgers testing positive for the disease, compared with 1 in every 225 cattle, meaning the level of disease in badgers is around 15 times higher than in cattle,” added Mr Roberts.

However, Mr Roberts said it was important to acknowledge that the disease was not present in wildlife in all areas of Wales.

“In some areas there will be no infection in wildlife, while in others the level will be high. We therefore need to target all sources of infection appropriately.”

Mr Roberts said the FUW would be responding in full to the consultation document after consulting with its county branches.