The Dyffryn Conwy branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is looking forward to a busy day at Llanrwst Show this Saturday (August 20).

Union officials will welcome all including local politicians, including Guto Bebb MP, to discuss on farm policy and funding post Brexit at the FUW stand throughout the day.

FUW Caernarfonshire County Executive Officer Gwynedd Watkin said: “We look forward to discussing #FarmingMatters at the stand with our members and elected politicians and extend a warm welcome for members, guests and friends of the FUW as in previous years to join us on the day. Union officials and staff, as well as FUW Insurance Services Ltd. will be on hand to answer questions our members may have.”

[caption id="attachment_6792" align="alignleft" width="300"] Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths, Eirlys Thomas and FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas[/caption]

A delegation of Farmers’ Union of Wales officials meet with Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths (Monday, August 15) to discuss the wider economic and social importance of agriculture to the rural and urban economy as well as the importance of encouraging the next generation into the industry.

The meeting was held at Llwyncelyn Lan farm, Llanfyrnach – home of FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas who has been farming here since 1988. The delegation then visited Mansel Davies & Son Ltd. to discuss the history and nature of the business and its interrelationship with the agricultural industry and rural economy.

Brian Thomas, who farms 280 acres, 30 acres of which is woodland, in North Pembrokeshire, runs a herd of 100 beef shorthorn cattle and a flock of 300 ewes, with cereals also being grow.

Speaking after the meeting about why farming matters to our rural economy, FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas said: “ I would first of all like to thank Lesley Griffiths for meeting us here at my home farm. We had wide ranging discussions on farming matters and used the opportunity to highlight the important role farming plays in our rural economy.

“If we are to encourage the next generation to take up farming it has to be viable for them. Looking around here there are only 1 in 8 farms that have children who want to take over the family business. The average age of farmers in my local area is 60 plus, so we need to put measures in place that ensure these farms have a future for the sake of our rural economy.

[caption id="attachment_6791" align="alignright" width="300"] Pembrokeshire FUW representative John Savins, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths and FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas[/caption]

“I see the future for farming in youth. However, with farm household incomes averaging around £13,000 a year and working hours exceeding 60 + per week - why would they? Due to the nature of the business we are only ever 1 step away from a crisis.

“Our farming businesses provide stability for the rural economy, income for our children and our families and hold communities together. We now have an opportunity to do something great - and that is shaping our own future in terms of markets and legislations, a point we made clear to the Cabinet Secretary here today.”

Highlighting how important the second and third sector businesses are in making the wheels of our rural economies go round, were Stephen and Kaye Mansel Davies of Mansel Davies & Son Ltd.

The company was established in 1875 by the late John Davies. Mansel Davies, his son, joined the business in 1900 and the company still uses that name today. The company is now run by Kaye Mansel Davies (Chairman), 4th generation, and his son Stephen Mansel Davies (Managing Director) - the next generation are already involved in the company.

[caption id="attachment_6793" align="alignleft" width="300"] (l-r) Stephen Mansel Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths, Kaye Mansel Davies, FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas and FUW President Glyn Roberts[/caption]

They currently employ over 300 people and operate 180 trucks, with all of its employees living within a 40 mile radius of Llanfyrnach. Apart from the local authority and the oil refinery they are the largest employers in Pembrokeshire with an annual turnover just short of £30 million.

Stephen Mansel Davies highlighted that 90% of the company's work is linked to agricultural, saying that: “We are the largest milk haulier in Wales, collecting 1.4 million litres per day for 7 different buyers and doing UK distribution for a further two buyers. Our total milk or milk products movements comes to about 4 million litres per day.”

The company delivers milk and milk products into processors in Newcastle Emlyn, Llangefni, South Caernarfon, Felinfach, Acton, London, Southampton, Droitwich , Bridgewater, Westbury, North Tawton, Aylesbury, Chester, Severnside and a number of other factories around the UK.

Another important sector of the business is the distribution of animal feed in the area. Mansel Davies & Son are also the largest suppliers of ground limestone, which they also spread on to the land for soil neutralisation.

Following the meeting with the Cabinet Secretary, Stephen Mansel Davies said: “All of those who are involved in Government need to understand  how important agriculture is to Wales - it's the only sustainable long term industry we have. When you look at the numbers employed directly and indirectly into the sector it is far more important than people and Government give it credit for.

[caption id="attachment_6790" align="alignright" width="300"] (l-r) FUW President Glyn Roberts, Stephen Mansel Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths and Kaye Mansel Davies[/caption]

“Agriculture and in particular the dairy industry, has just gone through very hard times with farm gate prices dropping in the region of 30% which is not sustainable. As a direct result of low milk prices we have seen volumes drop 11% from July 15 to July 16. If managed correctly I think Brexit could bring long term positives to Agriculture - the important part will be the management by government of the transition period and the short term.”

The Union will continue to highlight how much farming matters , through regular meetings with key decisions makers, industry stakeholders, as well as Governments in Westminster and Cardiff.

The Meirionnydd branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is looking forward to a busy day at the County Show (Wednesday, 24 August), which will be held at the Rhug Estate, Corwen.

Union officials will welcome Liz Saville Roberts MP and Dafydd Elis Thomas AM to a panel discussion on farm policy and funding post Brexit at the FUW stand, which will commence at 2pm.

FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones said: “ We look forward to discussing #FarmingMatters at the stand with our members and elected politicians and extend a warm welcome for members, guests and friends of the FUW as in previous years to join us on the day. Union officials and staff, as well as FUW Insurance Services Ltd. will be on hand to answer questions our members may have. The County Branch is also extremely grateful once again to the ladies section in the Penllyn and Edeyrnion areas for taking responsibility for the refreshments on the stand.”

In addition, joining the FUW on the day are FWAG director Dr Glenda Thomas between 11am to 12noon, Farming Connect Meirionnydd Development Officer Eryl P Roberts will be present between 12noon and 1pm, Upper Dee Catchment Advisor for the Welsh Dee Trust David Prysor Jones will be available at the Union stand from 12noon - 1pm to answer any questions members may have and Nichola Taylor, Senior Environment Officer (Agriculture) from Natural Resources Wales will be present throughout the day to provide assistance and advice for Agriculture Waste Exemption forms.

“We also look forward to welcoming the newly elected North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones to the FUW stand, as he joins us between 1pm – 2pm,” added Huw Jones.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed Chancellor Philip Hammond’s commitment to funding agricultural support until 2020 - but is seeking clarification on how the decision will affect those with agreements under Wales’ rural development programme.

In an announcement earlier today (13 August) Mr Hammond said current levels of agricultural funding under Pillar 1 of the Common Agricultural Policy would be upheld until 2020 as part of the transition to new domestic arrangements, with the arrangements to include devolved regions.

Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom also provided assurances that any agri-environment schemes agreed before the Autumn Statement would be fully funded, even if the agreements continue beyond the UK’s departure from the EU. However, there is uncertainty as to how this might impact in devolved regions such as Wales.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Since the referendum outcome was announced we have called for the funding timetable to be aligned with the EU’s budgetary period, and this announcement takes a step in that direction.”

However, Mr Roberts said that while the decision provided a much needed boost to confidence, it also raised numerous questions.

“We are uncertain as to how exactly this will work in devolved regions after Brexit, particularly in the context of agri-environment agreements under Rural Development Programmes.

“Any agri-environmental agreements which start now would have to run until August 2021 under the current legal framework, raising major questions about funding and legal obligations after the period announced by the chancellor.”

Mr Roberts said he would be seeking clarity from both the UK and Welsh Governments regarding how the announcement would impact Welsh farmers, particularly those who are already in, or are considering entering into agri-environment agreements.

An announcement made by Chancellor Philip Hammond that EU funding for farmers, scientists and other projects will be replaced by the Treasury after Brexit, has been welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales today.

“News that the Treasury will guarantee to back EU-funded projects signed before this year's Autumn Statement, meaning that agricultural funding now provided by the EU will continue until 2020 is welcome news for the agricultural industry, providing much needed certainty for our rural economies and agricultural businesses for the period leading up to our departure from the EU,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

The UK has not yet triggered the negotiation process for leaving the EU, following the referendum vote in June and Prime Minister Theresa May has indicated the UK government will not trigger Article 50, which would begin a two-year process to leave, during 2016.

The structural and investment funds that will be guaranteed include CAP pillar two, the European Social Fund, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the European Regional Development Fund, including European Territorial Cooperation.

“The impact of the most recent recession on our economy as a whole was severe, but there can be no doubt that in rural Britain and many of our urban areas the impact has been buffered by the core role agriculture has played in generating income for communities the length and breadth of the UK.

“Go through the accounts of any farm and you will see the incredible contribution made to other businesses - whether to industries directly associated with agriculture such as feed merchants, or those without such direct links such as builders, plumbers and electricians. We cannot underestimate the importance of recognising that farming matters and how much of an impact it has on the rural economy. We need to nurture our farming sector to ensure that money keeps flowing through the rural economy and through that we protect and improve domestic food security,” said the Union President.

He added that the role farming plays in maintaining our natural environment and rural communities, coupled with the importance of maintaining and strengthening those political frameworks which protect our food security, mean agriculture, and in particular the family farm, should be high up the agenda for any Government.

“For the period of the current Parliament and beyond the FUW is committed to lobbying all those in Westminster and Cardiff to ensure that agriculture and family farms receive the attention and respect that they warrant and that they remain high on the agenda in a post-Brexit world,” added Glyn Roberts.

A delegation of Farmers’ Union of Wales officials will meet with Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths on Monday (August 15) to discuss the wider economic and social importance of agriculture to the rural and urban economy as well as the impact of Bovine TB.

The meeting will be held at Llwyncelyn Lan farm, Llanfyrnach - home of FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas who has been farming here since 1988. The delegation will then visit Mansel Davies & Son Ltd. to discuss the history and nature of the business and its interrelationship with the agricultural industry and rural economy.

Brian Thomas, who farms 280 acres, 30 acres of which is woodland, in North Pembrokeshire, runs a herd of 100 beef shorthorn cattle and a flock of 300 ewes, with cereals also being grow.

He was elected as the Union’s Deputy President in 2015 at the Annual General meeting. Brian is a past County Chairman of the FUW in Pembrokeshire and was elected South Wales Member of the Central Finance and Organisation Committee in 2011.

Speaking ahead of the meeting about why farming matters to our rural economy, FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas said: “Much political and media attention has recently been focussed on risks to jobs and the local economy in and around the M4 corridor in south Wales - and quite rightly so.

“But you may be surprised to learn that there are almost as many people engaged in the milk industry in Pembrokeshire as there are people making a living in our Welsh steel industry. Yet there is a clear imbalance in political focus for supporting these two very important industries - an imbalance which also extends to all our agricultural sectors.

“We want to see the value and importance of the rural economy truly recognised, and to build a visible and valued Rural Powerhouse. The Rural Powerhouse we envisage will take all that is valuable in our rural economies and maximise their outputs and impact. It will recognise the interactions that exist in rural Wales, the communities that work and live together, the networks that support each other and of course the importance of rural Wales to our culture.”

Bovine TB is also a subject which Brian is passionate about. When his herd went down with the disease in the late 1990s he commented in interviews that the disease would be more of a problem than BSE would ever be if it was not tackled.

Unfortunately, for many he has been proven right and currently he sits on the local working group for the Assembly’s Bovine TB Intensive Action Area in North Pembrokeshire, representing farmers in the area.

“We know that our current rates of bovine TB will pose a significant threat to our exports once we are outside the EU, unless we make significant inroads towards eradication. The FUW’s longstanding policy on proactively managing the wildlife disease reservoir has been well publicised. If we do not change our policy on the wildlife vector, our exports to the European Union, in a post-Brexit world, are under considerable threat.

“I look forward to welcoming the Cabinet Secretary here to the farm to discuss these issues with her in more detail and highlight that we need to nurture our farming sector to ensure that money keeps flowing through the rural economy so that we can protect and improve domestic food security,” said Brian Thomas.