The Wales State of Nature Report 2016 provides welcome recognition of the important role played by farmers in conservation, but places misguided emphasis on some environmental factors, the Farmers’ Union of Wales has said.

Responding to the report, FUW Land Use Committee Chairman Gavin Williams said: “While we would certainly not agree with some of the assertions made in the Welsh State of Nature Report, I welcome the fact that it is far more balanced than the UK report in terms of recognising the positive role of farmers in conservation, and the validity of concerns we have been raising for decades.”

Amongst those concerns are the fact that under-grazing – sometimes as a result of agri-environment scheme rules – is having a damaging effect on many species and habitats, said Mr Williams.

“It is heartening that 67 percent of the priority species assessed in the report are classified as stable or increasing in numbers. However, for those species which are not performing so well we do need to consider what actions must be taken.”

Mr Williams said that a proper assessment of the factors influencing such declines should be undertaken.

“The various state of nature reports across the UK recognise factors such as increases in avian and mammalian predators, and the abandonment of grazing, burning and cutting, all of which have a negative impact on species and habitats.

“There is a growing recognition of the environmental damage that under-management and the loss of farming has had, and would have if we were to see farming becoming even less financially viable, and these concerns are starting to be reflected in reports such as this.”

However, Mr Williams said there were still those who reach for the farming scapegoat whenever they are faced with problems, and remain in denial about uncomfortable truths such as the fact that growing numbers of predators are dining out on some of our most endangered species.

“Politicians and environmentalists need to be honest with themselves and the general public about factors such as predation, otherwise they risk causing further damage to the environment.”

Mr Williams emphasised that despite some differences, there was a vast amount of common ground between the farming community and the authors of the report, and that the FUW would continue to work with other bodies in order to secure an economically and environmentally sustainable future for Welsh agriculture.

“Our Farming Matters campaign emphasises the fact that farming is important to everything we have and do in Wales, and that includes our environment and the species which make Wales such a unique place,” he added.

The Ceredigion branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales held a successful 24 mile Tractor Run on Sunday September 18, in aid of British Heart Foundation (BHF) Cymru, raising £540 for the charity.

The group of 27 tractors left Gwili Jones, Maesyfelin, Lampeter and traveled through Cwmann, and over the mountains to Llanddewi Brefi. The route continued across the Teifi Valley to Olmarch and the last leg went through Llwynygroes and Silian.

FUW Ceredigion County Executive Officer Mared Rand Jones said: “I am very happy with how much money we have managed to raise for our first ever tractor run – everyone enjoyed the route, so we can now build on it for an even bigger event next year!

“It was amazing to see so many people join us in the fight against heart disease. It was for such a good cause and I hope that we managed to  raise awareness of how much of a problem heart disease is across Wales and the whole of the UK.

“I would also like to thank all those businesses who have donated prizes for our raffle on the day, all those who have participated in the tractor run and helped to make this event such a success.”

With just two weeks to go until the Farmers’ Union of Wales is hosting The Wales Farm Conference, the FUW is reminding all those who have an interest in farming matters and opportunities for growth in rural Wales post-Brexit, to book their seat.

The conference will be held on October 6, at the RWAS Members Centre on the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, commencing at 9.30am.

Chairing the conference will be ITV Wales News and Current affairs journalist Catrin Haf Jones.

The morning of the conference will hear Economist, Politician and Member of the ‘Vote Leave’ group of economists, Professor Warwick Lightfoot, speak about - “Economic opportunities and dangers going forward?”, HCC-Meat Promotion Wales Export Market Development Executive Deanna Leven will talk about trade and markets and Steve Keyworth Founder and Director of Environment Systems, an environmental and agricultural consultancy will talk about GIS and remote sensing technologies to environmental and agricultural applications.

The afternoon of the conference will hear Deputy Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and Nuffield Scholar Aled Jones speak about “Sustainability of agriculture through communities and community events”, Chief Officer for AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) Tom Hind will address the topic of - “What’s a balanced result for trade negotiations?” and Welsh Government Future Generations Commissioner Sophie Howe will also give a presentation.

Each of the sessions will be followed by a panel discussion and provide the audience with an opportunity to ask questions.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We are now in the final preparation stages for our Wales Farm Conference and are really excited to explore the many aspects and opportunities for growth in a post-Brexit world.

“The speakers we have lined up are extremely knowledgeable in their fields and they will certainly offer great perspectives and insight into what is to come in the future once we leave the European Union in regards to our economy, trade, technology and our social communities.

“If you have not booked your seat for the conference yet, and you have an interest in #FarmingMatters, I would encourage you to do so as soon as possible via our website fuw.org.uk/conference or by calling our head office on 01970 820280, as places are allocated on a first come first served basis.”

Primary school pupils from all over Wales are being invited to enter a Christmas card design themed #FarmingMatters for the Farmers’ Union of Wales annual Christmas card competition.

The FUW is asking children aged from four to 11 to design a Christmas scene showing why #FarmingMatters for its Christmas cards, which will be sold to raise money for the Union’s charity British Heart Foundation Cymru.

FUW president Glyn Roberts said: “The competition will be split into Welsh language and English language categories. Children can use any media in their entries, such as crayons, coloured pencils, felt tipped pens or paint which must be completed on an A4 sheet of paper.

“The only stipulation is that it must be a Christmas card showing why #FarmingMatters. The competition was a huge success last year and we hope we can once again count on the support of our primary schools all over Wales.”

The winner of each category will receive a £30 gift voucher for themselves, a packet of the Christmas cards depicting their design, one day’s free admittance to the 2016 Royal Welsh Winter Fair to receive their prizes and a £50 cheque for their school.

The winning entries, together with a selection of other entries, will be displayed at the FUW stand during the Winter Fair (November 28-29).

The closing date for entries is Friday November 11.

The pupil’s name, age, class number, school name and home address must be included on all entries, which should be posted or delivered to the FUW, Llys Amaeth, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3BT, marked “Schools Competition”, or e-mailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is today reminding all those who have an interest in farming and rural affairs to make their views clear via the Union’s online survey.

Current figures from the survey suggest that 43% of respondents are excited about the referendum result, whilst 51 % feel anxious about what’s to come once the UK leaves the European Union.

Through the survey of Welsh farms the FUW aims to find out what farmers in Wales want for the future following the EU Referendum and it is designed to give all those who fill in the survey the chance to comment on some of the major issues relating to the types of agricultural policies that might best benefit Wales after the UK leaves the European Union.

In addition, the survey has space for individual comments on how Welsh farming and our rural communities could or should change in a way which improves our financial, environmental and cultural sustainability.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The FUW wants to hear from all of you who recognise that #FarmingMatters and who would like to get involved in shaping our future here in Wales. Now is the time to draft the policies we want to see implemented once we have made an exit from the European Union and your opinion on these issues matters a great deal to us. So if you haven’t filled out the online survey yet, please do so and encourage your family, friends and neighbours to do the same.”

The online survey is available bilingually on the FUW website at:  http://fuw.org.uk/brexitsurvey/

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is reminding all Assembly Members that the current levels of Bovine TB in Wales will cost us trade deals with Europe if there is no change in policy.

The Union welcomes the call for a debate on the eradication of bovine TB in cattle and wildlife at the National Assembly but stresses it is imperative that all AMs back the motion in a bid to achieve an effective change in levels of bTB outbreaks.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We welcome the support for the motion but urge all the other Assembly Members to throw their support behind the debate.

“Every single AM needs to recognise that the problem of bovine TB in Wales will have catastrophic consequences for our future trade negotiations if the disease status in our wildlife is not addressed as a matter of urgency.

“This debate is an opportunity for cross-party co-operation on an issue which has significant emotional and financial implications for many farmers in Wales and we need the support of the whole Assembly to achieve a change in policy.”

The FUW continues to highlight that current levels of Bovine TB in Wales are in excess of what will be acceptable to other EU countries when the UK is outside the single market and the Union is deeply concerned that the current disease status has the potential to be a challenging negotiation tool, especially given the the vacuum created by post vaccination failure.

The motion was put forward by Plaid Cymru Mid and West Assembly Member Simon Thomas, Shadow Cabinet member for Energy, Climate Change and Rural Affairs and is supported by AM for North Wales Ll?r Gruffydd, Mid and West Wales AM Neil Hamilton and Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies.