[caption id="attachment_6875" align="alignleft" width="300"] Representatives of the FUW group having a well deserved break from their hard work serving refreshments[/caption]

The Meirionnydd branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales enjoyed a successful day at the County Show held at Corwen last Wednesday, with the FUW’s marquee on the show field being extremely busy with many meetings and discussions taking place throughout the day.

The Unions Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones said: “We enjoyed a very successful day and the County branch is extremely grateful to the Ladies section of the Union in the Bala and Corwen areas for their hard work in preparing the refreshments throughout the day.  I would also like to thank all those who contributed and helped in any way to ensure the event's success.

[caption id="attachment_6876" align="alignright" width="300"] FUW Meirionnydd County Chairman Euros Puw chairs a meeting with Liz Saville Roberts MP and Dafydd Elis Thomas AM[/caption]

“We also held a meeting with both Meirion Dwyfor Assembly member Dafydd Elis Thomas and MP Liz Saville Roberts. The discussion centred around the possible timetable for leaving the European Union, consequences for family farms and the rural economy.  Many questions were raised regarding the future legislative framework, farm support and trade negotiations and members were encouraged to respond to the on-line Brexit questionnaire on the FUW’s website.”

The Montgomeryshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is looking forward to a busy day at Llanfair Caereinion Show on Saturday September 3, held at Llysun, Llanerfyl, Welshpool, Powys, by kind permission of the Tudor family.

Union officials will welcome all including local politicians Russell George AM and Glyn Davies MP for Montgomeryshire, to discuss on farm policy and funding post Brexit at the FUW stand throughout the day.

FUW Montgomeryshire County Executive Officer Emyr Wyn Davies said: “We look forward to discussing #FarmingMatters at the stand with our members and elected politicians and extend a warm welcome to all as in previous years to join us on the day. Union officials and staff, will be on hand to answer questions our members may have.”

It is with great sadness that the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) reports the death of Mr Richard Ap Simon Jones, Ysguboriau, Tywyn, Meirionnydd, a former FUW Vice President and Life Member.

FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones, said: “Warm tributes have been flowing into the FUW Meirionnydd County Office following the news. He had a truly excellent farming enterprise at Ysguboriau, and was well known throughout farming circles in Wales. The farm has hosted several events and open days over the years which include the FUW, Welsh Black Cattle Society and the National Sheep Association.

“Undoubtedly a farming stalwart, he was a passionate campaigner for family farming and rural communities. He was very highly respected, and was involved in several organisations throughout the Principality. He was awarded the MBE for Services in the early 1980’s, and was a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society.(FRAgs).”

He was a founder member of the FUW in Meirionnydd who attended the very first meeting, was County Chairman in the early 1970’s, and took several roles on a national level,  including being Vice-President between 1976 and 1980. Mr Richard Ap Simon Jones made an immense contribution to the development and growth of the FUW and was renowned for bringing some humour into all discussions.

“He had an unique skill in presenting his viewpoints, and was always held in very high regard by all. Our very deepest sympathies extend to Mrs Jones and all the family at Ysguboriau,” added Mr Jones.

Throughout his farming career, he used his membership of the Farmers’ Union of Wales to battle – locally and nationally – on behalf of Welsh farming. The highlight of campaigning came in the late 1970’s – Mr Jones being a Vice President at the time -  when John Silkin, then Minister of Agriculture, announced he would give The Welsh Union the same recognition as the NFU.

He was a leading member of the Welsh Black Cattle Society,  a former Chair of its Governing Council, and was President in 1990. Mr Richard Ap Simon Jones had also been judging at several Shows throughout the UK.  The Welsh Black herd at Ysguboriau is one of the oldest of the breed, and dates back to volume one in the herd book. Amongst his many other roles was with the former National Rivers Authority, and Chaired the Gwynedd Flood Defence Committee during the 1990’s.

[caption id="attachment_6863" align="alignleft" width="300"] (l-r) FUW President Glyn Roberts, Guto Bebb MP, Caernarfonshire County Executive Officer Gwynedd Watkin and County Executive Committee member and local Conwy Valley Branch representative Dafydd Gwyndaf[/caption]

Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) officials, including FUW President Glyn Roberts, County Executive Committee member and local Conwy Valley Branch representative Dafydd Gwyndaf, and Caernarfonshire County Executive Officer Gwynedd Watkin, held constructive talks with local MP Guto Bebb at Llanrwst Show.

FUW Caernarfonshire County Executive Officer Gwynedd Watkin said: “I would like to thank Guto Bebb for meeting with us and recognising the important role agriculture plays in our rural economy - not only within his own constituency but across Wales.”

Discussions focused on the next steps that are required to ensure Welsh farmers get the best possible deal following the UK’s vote to leave the European Union and the risks bovine TB poses to future trade negotiations.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said after the meeting: “We discussed various trade models already in existence but we don’t want to copy just any other trading model. It is critical that we set up a trading model that suits the UK and Welsh agriculture, and now is our chance to do just that. In addition we highlighted that our current bovine TB status poses a considerable threat in those trade negotiations and that this will have to be solved urgently.

“The FUW is currently consulting its membership on what shape our post-Brexit agricultural policies should take and we will continue to make our voice heard in London and Cardiff, representing and fighting for the needs of Welsh farmers. We also discussed the internal consultation with Guto Bebb and the Union will continue discussions on future policies that are suitable for Welsh farmers in the near future.

“The next step for us now is to make it clear what it is we want and to ensure that we get what is best for Wales and our agricultural industry for a sustainable future.”

[caption id="attachment_6860" align="alignleft" width="300"] Discussing #FarmingMatters are (l-r) FUW Managing Director Alan Davies, FUW President Glyn Roberts and North Wales AM Mark Isherwood[/caption]

Farmers’ Union of Wales officials were delighted to meet Mark Isherwood AM at the Denbigh and Flint show and used the opportunity to discuss #FarmingMatters.

Mark Isherwood, who was first elected as an Assembly Member for North Wales in 2003, before being re-elected in 2007,2011 and 2016, is now also the current Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for Communities, Europe and North Wales.

Speaking after the meeting, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We are always grateful to meet with our elected politicians and had wide ranging discussions focusing on the importance of #FarmingMatters when we met with Mark Isherwood. It is imperative that Governments don’t undervalue the important role our family farms play - they lie at the centre of our rural economy, culture and landscape. Therefore it is critical that agriculture and domestic food production is given priority during all trade negotiations with other countries and trading blocks and that bureaucracy and restrictions do not adversely impact or hamper Welsh and UK agriculture.”

The Union President also raised the point that there are many questions as to how current funding support will affect those with agreements under Wales’ rural development programme, making it clear that farmers across Wales need clarity – from Welsh and UK governments – so they can continue to run their businesses and plan for the future.

Mark Isherwood commented following the meeting: “As a member of the Assembly’s new External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee, which will prioritise its work around the need to ensure that Welsh interests are safeguarded in negotiations and eventual decisions on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, it was helpful to discuss with FUW officials the need for the farming community in Wales to be at the centre of the development of a new support system that recognises the distinct challenges faced by farmers in Wales and provides the financial support necessary to support the industry’s long-term sustainable future.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is seeking its members opinion on the future for agriculture post-Brexit through an online questionnaire, as the outcome of the UK referendum continues to raise numerous concerns about the future of agricultural support in Wales.

“The future of many of the most significant issues, such as the future of financial support, trade agreements and legislative change, remain uncertain. Therefor we would encourage members to identify those policy priorities, which will help develop a Welsh farming sector, which is profitable, sustainable and able to withstand increasing price volatility,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

The FUW wants to be sure that future policy positions have the backing of the Welsh agricultural sector and therefore, alongside an internal consultation, the Union has published an online Brexit questionnaire.

It is designed to give all Union members 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.

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

“The FUW remains in regular contact with Welsh and UK Ministers and civil servants and it is now important that we identify the possible post-Brexit opportunities for Welsh agriculture,” added Glyn Roberts.

Members wishing to respond to the survey can access it via the following URL:  www.fuw.org.uk/brexitsurvey