[caption id="attachment_6414" align="alignleft" width="300"] Carmarthen AGM Discussion Panel (l-r): HCC Head of Operation Prys Morgan, FUW County Executive Officer David Waters, FUW President Glyn Roberts, FUW Carmarthen County Chairman Iwan Price Davies, Coleg Sir Gâr Landbased Studies lecturer Mary Richards and Edward Perkins of Rural Chartered Surveyors[/caption]

A panel of speakers discussed the Basic Payment, succession and red meat export development opportunities at an annual general meeting held by the Carmarthen branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

The meeting, which was held at Llanarthne Village Hall on Thursday 26 May, welcomed FUW President Glyn Roberts, Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) Head of Operation Prys Morgan, Coleg Sir Gâr Landbased Studies lecturer Mary Richards and Edward Perkins of Rural Chartered Surveyors to the discussion panel.

Discussing the 15% transfer from Pillar 1 to Pillar 2, FUW President Glyn Roberts explained to the audience that the decision under the current CAP was final and could not be revisited without a change to EU law, which was why the Union had been opposed to and fought against the proposal.

Providing an update on Hybu Cig Cymru’s market development progress, Prys Morgan, highlighted the difficulty in establishing new markets outside the EU, adding that HCC was marketing Welsh Lamb as a premium product.

Mr Morgan emphasised that HCC is making progress in establishing an export market to the USA but that the country’s TSA regulations were a major barrier.

The panel further discussed how to attract more young people into the industry. FUW’s Glyn Roberts said: “We have to make the industry attractive for our young people. But if we want the next generation to take over, then we also need to find somewhere for the older generation to go.

“It is our responsibility to do the best we can for those who want to get started in farming and for that the perception of the industry has to change. The last 2 years have been the hardest I have experienced since starting farming in 1977, but we have to be positive.

“There are plenty of opportunities and we do have a future. What vexes me is that we are one of the richest countries in the world but yet we can’ seem to sustain a profitable sector and there is something very wrong with that. As an union we will continue our efforts to educate governments and highlight the fact that young farmers are our future and the custodians of the countryside.”

Mary Richards, said that she was passionate about the topic of succession, stating: “We need to share and let go so that the younger generation can get a foothold in the industry. But there has to be a mentality shift and we need a cultural change to revamp agriculture.

“Council and start-up farms are vital in this and share farming has to be explored further here. Look at New Zealand and Ireland - it works very well for them.”

The panel further discussed the pro’s and con’s on EU membership and were mostly in agreement that Wales is stronger inside the single market.

Following the successful evening, FUW Carmarthen Executive Officer David Waters said: “ I thank the panel for their excellent contributions tonight and of course our members who attended the meeting.”

The Denbigh and Flint branches of the Farmers’ Union of Wales are holding a hog roast and Noson Lawen to boost funds for the Union’s charity - British Heart Foundation Cymru.

The event will take place on Saturday, June 25 at Maes Elwy Farm, Upper Denbigh Road, Trefnant and is due to commence at 7.30pm.

Tickets for the event are £12 per person and can be purchased from the FUW Ruthin office (01824 707 198).

Entertainment will be provided by the Elwy Singers, soloist Imogen Pardy and comedian George Gallagher.

FUW Flintshire County Chairman, Tim Faire, said: “We are very excited to once again join in the fight against heart disease and hope the event 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.

“Heart and circulatory disease takes the lives of more than 400 people in the UK each day.

“The money that is raised goes to help fund life-transforming treatments, support pioneering research, and help care for people.

“Nearly all of us have been affected by this disease in some way or another.  Millions of adults and children which could be one of our friends or a family member might need help from the BHF in the future or has done in the past.

“We hope that those participating will have a cracking good time. So come and join us for the event - enjoy some good food and help us raise money to beat heart disease.”

[caption id="attachment_6406" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW president Glyn Roberts with North Wales Board Member of the British Wool Board Bedwyr Jones.[/caption]

A way forward in optimising the potential of wool and the return for farmers was hotly debated when Farmers’ Union of Wales President Glyn Roberts met with Bedwyr Jones of the British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB).

Mr Jones gave an update on how farmers can optimise the potential of their wool, whatever the breed, type, location or size of flock at the meeting, which was held at FUW President’s farm Dylasau Uchaf, near Betws y Coed.

Bedwyr Jones has been the North Wales regional board member since April 2011. He farms 3000 acres at Gwastadanas, Nant Gwynant, Beddgelert, runs a flock of 1600 Welsh Mountain Ewes and has been a member of the Welsh regional committee for several years.

The wool market has been struggling globally as a result of the strong sterling for most of the selling season. This resulted in a lower return for producers this year compared to 2015.

In the meeting Mr Jones highlighted that the Board is always looking for ways to promote wool through new and exciting initiatives, saying: “It's vital that we maximise the returns to producers as much as possible."

In March 2016 the BWMB, with support from the Campaign for Wool (CfW), launched a new trade show for carpets held in London.

It was the first show of its kind held in London and was well supported by the UK carpet industry and was aimed specifically at carpet retailers, manufacturers and the interior design sector.

In addition CfW launched a new website www.woolretailer.com at the show, aimed at supplying information to consumers about wool products and includes a search facility to highlight wool retailers in a particular area.

“Although only launched at the end of March, early indications are good and it is being supported by the carpet manufacturers,” said Bedwyr Jones.

Glyn Roberts welcomed the new initiatives and reiterated his support for the BWMB and recognises the central role it plays for the Welsh sheep industry.

"I'm very glad the BWMB are looking into new and different ways to promote wool. The agricultural industry has always got to stay ahead of the game in promoting our outstanding produce to consumers and retailers and that of course includes wool,” added Mr Roberts.

The BWMB is the last remaining agricultural commodity board operating on cooperative principles returning the true market value for their wool, less its own costs to producers ?.

"I would urge all farmers to support the BWMB - by working together we can maximise wool prices.

“It enables the Board to offer significant volumes of quality wool to sell through an open and transparent auction system to buyers and customers all over the world.

“As an Union we recognise the power of collective strength and that's why it's important for producers to look at the long term benefits of marketing their wool through the BWMB,” added the Union president.

A Farmers’ Union of Wales survey of businesses attending the Royal Welsh Spring Festival has revealed that over two-thirds of respondents are reliant on farming for the survival of their business.

“We know that a lot of second and third sector businesses are already struggling as a result of the knock on impact of low agricultural incomes and farmgate prices, and this snapshot survey confirms the potential wider impact if there was to be a further downturn in farm incomes," said FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas.

“We must remember that agriculture is the powerhouse of the rural economy, generates billions of pounds which benefit a host of industries including many not directly associated with agriculture,” he added.

Over 70 percent of the business owners asked revealed the business was their main source of income.

More than a quarter of the businesses surveyed said they employed more than 10 people, with some of them employing in excess of 50 people. Just under two-thirds of businesses asked employed up to 10 people.

“The impact of the most recent recession on our economy as a whole has been 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,” he added.

The Anglesey branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has teamed up with the UK’s and Europe’s largest distributor of a famous traditional masonry coating “Snowcem Plus” to give their product a local Welsh feel.

Anglesey County Executive Officer Heidi Williams said: “In Wales alone we spend millions of pounds on paint, so wouldn’t it be nice if we could have the colours named to represent parts of Wales such as sunsets, green meadows, beaches, mountains etc. anything basically that promotes our heritage and culture of rural areas within Wales.

“The creation of a Welsh colour card would be the very first of its kind and a Welsh Website will be created to go hand in hand.

“Naturally, this is a big challenge so the FUW has decided to turn this into a competition and an invitation will be sent to all Young Farmer Association and clubs throughout Wales.”

The winning club will receive a cash prize of £250 and will be presented with the official Welsh Colour Card at the Royal Welsh Show in July.

Team efforts will be encouraged so that any club can submit as many entries as they like.

Closing date for entries will be Monday, July 4,2016.

Mrs Williams added that there is no doubt that such a promotion will not only capture rural Wales in colour but also demonstrate that larger Companies are keen to develop an additional service for the people of Wales by introducing an all Welsh website.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has today welcomed the appointment of Mrs Lesley Griffiths as the new Environment and Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary.

She takes on her new role having been Assembly Member for Wrexham since 2007 and in the last Welsh Government was Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty.

“Agriculture and rural affairs are key to our economy, and central to addressing and dealing with the major challenges of our generation.

“The FUW looks forward to working closely with the new Government in order to ensure priorities are met for rural Wales and Wales as a whole and we welcome the fact that our call for the appointment of a full cabinet member with responsibility for rural affairs has been heeded ,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

“With issues such as climate change and water management dominating agendas such as those listed in the Well-being of Future Generations Act, we are pleased to see Mrs Griffiths has been appointed to fight for the interests of our rural communities – communities for which agriculture is a cornerstone,” he added.

Mr Roberts said the previous call tied in with the FUW’s vision of a Rural Powerhouse for Wales which recognises the central role agriculture and rural areas must play in addressing the challenges of the future, while ensuring the focus does not just fall on the M4 and A55 corridors.

“I have written to Mrs Griffiths to congratulate her on her appointment and have asked for an early meeting in order to discuss those issues which are of concern to farmers and have an impact on all aspects of her portfolio,” he added.

Under the previous Welsh administration the agricultural portfolio was moved between ministers and deputy ministers a number of times following Welsh cabinet reshuffles.

“We have outlined our key concerns for the agricultural industry in our 2016 election manifesto and hope to see the new Environment and Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary deal with critical issues such as bovine TB and Nitrate Vulnerable Zones as a matter of urgency,” added Mr Roberts.