The Farmers’ Union of Wales is urging 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.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “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.

“Currently based on our #FarmingMatters campaign, members and all those who recognise the importance of a thriving rural economy can find their elected representatives by entering a postcode and then choosing who they want to email.

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

In light of this, 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.

[caption id="attachment_6922" align="alignleft" width="300"] (l-r) FUW member David Van-Poucke, FUW Glamorgan County Chairman Ritchie Walker, FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas, Cynon Valley AM Vikki Howells and FUW Gwent County Executive Officer Glyn Davies[/caption]

A delegation of Farmers’ Union of Wales officials and Glamorgan county staff have welcomed Cynon Valley AM Vikki Howells to a farm outside of Abercynon, in a bid to highlight how farming matters.

Opening the gates to his farm welcoming the delegation, was David Van-Poucke, 65, of Gilfach y Rhyd Farm, Abercynon, Mountain Ash, Mid – Glamorgan, whose parents have been farming here since 1950.

The farm extends to approximately 100 acres, all down to pasture and current stocking includes 16 suckler cows, 130 breeding ewes, and 5 breeding sows.

Being located on the ridge between 2 valleys the farm is typical of the sort found in the Valleys of South Wales.

Some of the concern discussed with Vikki Howells included the constant rule changes in Glastir, the increase in record keeping requirements, fly tipping, Ragwort and Himalayan balsam control on Welsh Government land, broadband as well as an increase in public access.

In addition, the FUW used the opportunity to highlight to the AM that farming matters in so many ways that are seldom realised.

FUW Gwent County Executive Officer Glyn Davies, who joined the visit, said: “We are very grateful for the opportunity to have met with Vikki Howells to discuss many matters of concern but also to show her that farms don’t just produce food but that they are also a cornerstone of our rural economies.

“Family farms, like this one here, are at the heart of our rural economy, caring for our landscape, and of course our culture, These farms make innumerable other contributions to the well-being of Wales and the UK and central to such benefits is the production of food and the improvement in domestic food security.”

Mr Davies further highlighted that Welsh food production sustains tens of thousands of other businesses – from upstream businesses such as feed merchants, agricultural contractors and engineers, to downstream businesses such as hauliers, processors and retailers. For every pound generated on farm, around 6 pounds is spent in the wider economy.

Discussing the important issue of bovine TB, Union officials drew attention to the fact that the total number of Welsh cattle slaughtered in 2015 due to bTB was up by 27 percent from 2014 and totaled 8,103.

“We have also reinforced our message that there is a risk that our current levels of bovine TB will result in significant trade restrictions being applied to Welsh produce post Brexit and that they could also be used to undermine our industry during trade negotiations. Alongside stressing the importance of maintaining good post Brexit trade relations, we reminded the AM of our call for cross party action, through the proposed Individual Members debate, asking her to recognise that a Bovine TB breakdown can cause many indirect losses to farm businesses, such as the loss of breeding lines,” added Mr Davies.

The FUW further outlined that as managers of around 80 percent of Wales’ landmass, farmers play an invaluable part in managing and preserving a landscape which provides clean drinking water for millions, is diverse in habitat and species and includes more than 1,000 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The Welsh landscape also helps to attract  millions of tourists to our country each year.

“It is crucial that the farms in the South Wales Valleys remain economically viable, because their decline will see irreparable damage caused to the environment. It is the presence of farmers which give the distinct green wedge between adjoining valleys, and having seen the removal of many of the scars left by the mining industry we do not want our landscape scarred again,” said Glyn Davies.

[caption id="attachment_6923" align="alignright" width="300"] Getting to grips with farming: FUW Gwent County Executive Officer Glyn Davies (l) and FUW member David Van-Poucke welcome Cynon Valley AM Vikki Howells to a typical South Wales Valleys farm.[/caption]

He added that: “Other benefits of having farms like these, include the major contributions they make to negating the causes and symptoms of climate change, whether through the storage of carbon in farm woodland, hedgerows and peat bogs, or the generation of green electricity through on-farm wind and water turbines. Further to that farming is underpinned by science and technology and it is the backbone of the Welsh food and drinks sector, which employs 222,400 people, 17 percent of the Welsh workforce.

“By providing employment and economic growth in rural areas, the farming sector mitigates rural depopulation, protects rural culture and heritage and provides a means by which the Welsh language can be maintained. I hope that this visit has proven to be beneficial to Vikki Howells and that the message of why #FarmingMatters will resonate with her as well as other Assembly Members.”

Speaking after the visit, Vikki Howells AM said: “Many people think of Cynon Valley as being a wholly urban community. In fact, 40 percent of the constituency is made up of upland areas containing forestry and farms. I want to engage with all of my constituents so would like to thank the FUW for arranging this visit and Mr Van-Poucke for his generosity in hosting me.

“The visit was very enjoyable and enlightening. The issues we discussed will help inform my work as Assembly Member for Cynon Valley and as a member of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, for example on Glastir, the post-Brexit future of farming and encouraging new entrants into the industry. I am glad that I have already been able to take up some of the issues Mr Van-Poucke mentioned, such as fly-tipping near his farm.”

[caption id="attachment_6919" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW Montgomeryshire members raise rural crime issues with Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn[/caption]

The Montgomeryshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has met with Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn to discuss rural crime issues.

The meeting, held on Tuesday September 6, was hosted by FUW Montgomeryshire County Chairman Mark Williams and his wife Helen at Pen y Derw, Forden and provided an opportunity for members to highlight some of the rural crimes they have experienced, as well as strengthening the relationship between the police force and rural community.

It was the first meeting the county held with the newly appointed Police and Crime Commissioner since he started his post in May 2016.

Dafydd Llywelyn has a strong link to the county, having lived in Meifod as a small child when his father (Mr Elgan Davies) was Headmaster at Llanfair Caereinion High School.

FUW Montgomeryshire County Executive officer Emyr Wyn Davies said: “Mr Llewelyn gave us a brief introduction to his role and as Dyfed Powys has got the most rural areas in Wales, we were keen to discuss some issues of concern with him. It was a very positive meeting and we look forward to forging stronger relationships with the police force here in the county.”

[caption id="attachment_6916" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW President Glyn Roberts (l) met with Minister of State for Exiting the European Union David Jones MP ( r) at No 9 Downing Street to discuss the opportunities that Brexit offers.[/caption]

Farmers’ Union of Wales officials welcomed the opportunity to meet with Minister of State for Exiting the European Union, David Jones MP, at his Downing Street office to discuss the opportunities that Brexit offered, whilst also considering many of the wide-ranging issues of concern to farmers in Wales.

"I would like to thank the Minister for meeting with us to discuss the critical risk to trade negotiations that the existing level of bovine TB present. I've no doubt that this issue is now also critical to British Ministers as they seek to develop long-term trade relations post-Brexit," said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

David Jones MP was keen to explore a number of issues in a Wales context, and was highly supportive of the need to ensure that the unique views of Welsh farmers were recognised during any negotiations about future support for agriculture.

"It is very good news for us that there are UK Government Ministers with detailed understanding and knowledge of the unique challenges that Welsh farms face and we will work with them, and others, to ensure that the voice of Welsh farms are heard and understood in the coming months.

“The FUW has a critical role to play in the coming months and years to ensure that the voice of Welsh farms is clearly heard in London. We know that the farmers in Wales face very different challenges to those in England and other parts of the UK and it is the duty of the FUW to ensure that equal hearing is given, so that we achieve settlements for Wales that meet those needs," said Mr Roberts.

Both sides agreed that there was a significant amount of work to be done in order to develop the clarity that everyone is seeking, but agreed to develop plans through dialogue over the coming weeks and months.

"This was a very positive meeting and it is vital that we continue to work with both UK and Welsh governments in order to develop the optimal  long term settlement for Wales. In addition we were pleased to hear the positive comments from Prime Minister Theresa May in support of the food and farming sector in the first Prime Minister’s Questions since the summer recess," added the Union President.

The Ceredigion branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has organised a Tractor Run on Sunday September 18, aid of British Heart Foundation (BHF) Cymru.

The group will be leaving Gwili Jones, Maesyfelin,Lampeter at 11am and travel through Cwmann, up towards Farmers and over the mountains to Llanddewi Brefi. The route will continue across the Teifi Valley to Olmarch and the last leg will go through Llanycrwys and Silian.

The 24 mile round trip will finish back at Gwili Jones, coming to an expected close at 2.30pm.

Entry fee is £10 a tractor and all money raised will go towards British Heart Foundation (BHF) Cymru.

FUW Ceredigion County Executive Officer Mared Rand Jones said: “I am really excited to get this tractor run on the road and to join in the fight against heart disease. It is for such a good cause and I hope that we will not just raise money for BHF Cymru but also raise awareness of how much of a problem heart disease is across Wales and the whole of the UK.

“Entries are still being taken, so if you fancy taking the tractor out for a spin and help raise money for British Heart Foundation Cymru, give our office a call.”

Tea, coffee and cake will be available before leaving and participants can register for Sunday lunch, which will be served at Lampeter Rugby Club after the run for an extra £10 per person.

BHF Head of Fundraising for Wales & Northern Ireland Paul Davies, said: “Thanks to the support and generosity of the organisations like the FUW, the BHF is able fight for every heart beat in Wales. In Wales 375,000 people fight their daily battles with heart and circulatory condition. FUW’s support allows the British Heart Foundation to invest in life saving medical research in Wales, delivering significant breakthroughs that will help change the lives of millions of people across the UK and globally. Without the support of FUW and others none of this would be possible. Every step we take reduces the devastation that heart disease causes in our communities.”

For more information contact the Lampeter Office on 01570 424 515.

[caption id="attachment_6906" align="alignleft" width="169"] Hold on Tight!! FUW Montgomeryshire County Chairman Mark Williams keeps the FUW tent on the ground.[/caption]

Despite the adverse weather conditions on Saturday 3 September, Farmers’ Union of Wales Montgomeryshire staff and members were in high spirits and enjoyed a successful day at Llanfair Caereinion Show.

The show, held at Llysun, Llanerfyl, Welshpool, was hosted by kind permission of the Tudor family and all county office staff, including administrative assistants Lynne Baker and Alison Jones, were on hand to greet members and friends of the Union with tea, coffee and refreshments.

Local FUW Insurance Services Ltd. Admin Assistant Sophie Rees, Account Executives Nia Wyn Evans and Kay Williams also attended to help members with their insurance queries.

FUW Montgomeryshire County Executive Officer Emyr Wyn Davies said: “We had torrential rain for most of the day. The afternoon provided a brief respite from the rain but then the wind picked up. Our tent was full of members enjoying a cup of tea, talking about #FarmingMatters and then the tent nearly flew away! Despite the severe weather we enjoyed a successful day and I would like to thank all those who met up with us during the show and also to those who took part in the recovery of the FUW Montgomeryshire Tent.”