[caption id="attachment_6264" align="alignleft" width="300"] Lord Dafydd Wigley, FUW President Glyn Roberts, FUW Managing Director Alan Davies and David Jones MP[/caption]

Two political heavyweights went head to head at today’s Farmers’ Union of Wales EU debate, putting the spotlight firmly on the upcoming referendum.

The FUW was the first Union out of the starting block to host Lord Dafydd Wigley from the ‘Stronger in Europe’ campaign and David Jones MP, a former Secretary of State for Wales, at the debate, which was held at IBERS, Aberystwyth.

The event was attended by over a hundred FUW members and members of other farming Unions in Wales and firmly confirmed why the FUW has been a strong supporter of remaining part of the European Union.

Alan Davies, FUW Managing Director, who chaired the debate, said: “We have got the ball rolling and the FUW’s role in kick starting the platform for a debate is invaluable to agriculture and to Wales’ rural economy.

“The agri industry needs to be informed on all the aspects of what it means for us to leave the EU and what it will mean for us to remain part of the EU.

“Today was the first out of a series of 4 EU debates that will continue after the Welsh Assembly elections in the run-up to June 23 as we strive to provide our members with as much information as possible so they can make an informed decision when it comes to the vote.”

[caption id="attachment_6265" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Rt Hon. the Lord Wigley[/caption]

Arguing for the UK to stay part of Europe was Lord Dafydd Wigley, who said: “As far as the agricultural industry here in Wales is concerned I have no doubt whatsoever that the arguments for remaining part of the European Union are totally overwhelming in terms of our market share, in terms of the financial aid we get from Europe, in terms of our ability to build on the markets we have already developed and have the potential to do more. The argument for Welsh agriculture must be to remain part of the European Union.”

[caption id="attachment_6266" align="alignright" width="300"] The Rt Hon David Jones MP[/caption]

Making the case for a Brexit was David Jones MP, a former Secretary of State for Wales, who said: “I am pleased to be here at the FUW EU referendum debate, which is extremely important and it is particularly important for farmers to hear both sides of the argument.

“I know that the FUW has taken a corporate position to support remaining part of the EU, but that may not be the opinion of all of its membership, so I think it’s an important part of democracy that we have these debates.”

The recent announcement that Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) will be increased by 0.5 percent has been described as another blow for the industry by FUW Insurance Services.

“We are extremely disappointed as this is the second increase in IPT in less than a year and follows last July’s increase from 6 percent to 9.5 percent, with the rate having doubled in the last five years and raising £8 billion in that time,” said FUW Insurance Services Managing Director Mark Roberts.

“We are worried that the Chancellor sees increasing IPT on insurance as an easy target and plans to bring the rate in line with VAT, because unlike VAT, IPT cannot be claimed back by the businesses we insure.

“Any further increases in IPT would be a severe blow to the responsible businesses and households that insure with us and there is a real risk that those already struggling to make ends meet will reduce their cover or stop insuring altogether; Something that could ultimately prove disastrous.”

[caption id="attachment_6256" align="alignleft" width="300"] (l-r) Liberal Democrats candidate Gwyn Williams,Conservative candidate Huw Williams, FUW Flintshire County Chairman Tim Faire, Labour candidate Hannah Blythyn and Plaid Cymru candidate Paul Rawlinson[/caption]

Members of the Farmers’ Union of Wales Flintshire branch have quizzed Welsh Assembly election candidates at their recent hustings on Monday, March 14.

The husting, which was held at Caerwys memorial institute, was attended by Labour candidate Hannah Blythyn, Plaid Cymru candidate Paul Rawlinson, Conservative candidate Huw Williams and Liberal Democrats candidate Gwyn Williams.

A UKIP representative was invited but did not attend.

FUW Denbigh and Flint County Executive Officer Mari Dafydd Jones said: “ We had a very successful event and our members discussed many topics such as the EU referendum, Young Farmers, bovine TB and rural housing.

“It was interesting to hear that all election candidates made the case for remaining part of the European Union, a notion strongly supported by the FUW.

“Members also asked the candidates for their opinion on the bovine TB vaccination programme and only the Labour party were in favour of the continuation of a vaccination programme.

“The rest of the candidates believed this to be an incorrect decision and said they would opt for a cull.”

An excellent question for the panel was provided by 16 year old FUW member Deio Clwyd who asked the panel's opinion on whether they thought the voting age should be changed to 16.

“Deio, like many of his friends, would like to vote and we were pleased to hear that all parties agreed that the age should be lowered to 16.

“If we look at the excellent work the young farmers clubs do with public speaking competitions it becomes clear that our young people are smart and skilled.

“They can drive a tractor legally on the road so they should be able to vote,” added Mrs Jones.

News that a new sugar tax on the soft drinks industry will be introduced in two years' time as outlined in George Osborne’s 2016 budget, has been welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

The levy is to be calculated on levels of sugar in sweetened drinks produced and imported, based on two bands but pure fruit juice and milk-based drinks are to be excluded and small supplies will be exempt.

“This is very welcome news as we aim to have a healthier population. Current levels of obesity are unsustainable and the obesity problem among young people is so bad that the present generation of parents may be the first to bury their children,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

“As such we advocate a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and milk has a part to play in that.

“In light of this we welcome that milk-based drinks are excluded from the sugar tax and encourage parents to ensure that their children get to drink the recommended amount of milk per day,” he added.

The Union further welcomed that fuel duty is to be frozen for the sixth year in a row as a rise could have a devastating effect on the Welsh farming industry.

“Fuel price rises could have a devastating result for farmers and all the rural communities in general as a car is essential in the countryside with public transport being so poor,” said Mr Roberts.

Commenting on the Capital Gains Tax cut from 28 percent to 20 percent, and from 18 percent to 10 percent for basic-rate taxpayers, FUW Director of Finance David Parker said: “This is a positive move for any farmers who are selling any or all of their farm.

“We must also welcome the Commercial stamp duty 0 percent rate on purchases up to £150,000, 2 percent on next £100,000 and 5 percent top rate above £250,000.

“The young person’s ISA is of importance to self-employed people enabling up to £4000 p.a. to be saved tax free up to the age of 50 with government adding 25 percent bonus to savings.

“This is possibly where the wider pensions market will be heading over the next few years with tax relief on the receipt of pensions rather than tax relief at the point of saving.

“This provides a new vehicle for younger self-employed people to commence pension savings aided by the government contribution and must be welcomed,” he added.

[caption id="attachment_6251" align="alignleft" width="380"] Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb, Prime Minister David Cameron and FUW President Glyn Roberts[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales met with Prime Minister David Cameron last week to reinforce the importance of staying in the EU from an agriculture perspective.

The FUW has for many years maintained a clear position on Wales’ membership of the European Union, and was the first Union to declare its support for the ‘Stronger in Europe’ campaign.

“We were honoured to meet with Prime Minister David Cameron last week to discuss how a Brexit would affect farming businesses and were pleased to hear him reinforce the message that we are stronger in Europe,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

The visit took place at Tyfos, Corwen, a farming enterprise extending to over 1,000 acres of land in the Dee Valley and in the Berwyn Mountains.

The Williams family moved to Tyfos over 100 years ago and Richard and David are the fourth generation at the farm.

Over the years there has been a substantial expansion of the enterprise. The business partnership is always extremely keen to reinvest in the farm enterprise by diversifying into renewable energy and this has already involved installing solar panels and a small 30 Kwh hydro scheme and an anaerobic digester.

“As a Union we will continue to support the ‘Stronger in Europe’ campaign so that fifth generation family farms such as Tyfos have a future in agriculture,” added Mr Roberts.

The severity of the uncertainty of a Brexit is becoming clearer to the agricultural industry as the Prime Minister further announced that if farmers had to rely on World Trade Organisation rules rather than EU membership to secure access to the European market, farmers could be faced with tariffs costing £240m a year for beef and £90m for lamb.

“We have to be clear on the facts before we cast our vote - a vote that will affect our future generations and the sustainability and viability of our rural economies.

“A Brexit would mean that farmers still have to comply with all the current rules and regulations but would not have any say on what they are or how future legislation is shaped,” added Mr Roberts.

[caption id="attachment_6250" align="alignleft" width="225"] FUW Managing Director Alan Davies with Prime Minister David Cameron[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6242" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] FUW urges dog walkers to keep their pets on a lead when walking the countryside[/caption]

The utter shocking and devastating images circulating around once again of sheep who have been savagely attacked by dogs and died as a result come as a stark warning to those who are thinking of enjoying the countryside this Easter break with their dog on the loose.

Recent Police figures reveal that there have been 68 attacks on sheep over the last year in Wales, a figure far too high according to the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

“Looking at these figures - even one attack is one too many,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

With the weather improving and the Easter holidays around the corner many people are going to visit the countryside to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery in Wales but with lambing in full swing the FUW is asking dog walkers to take extra care to reduce the risks to heavily pregnant ewes and newly born lambs.

“Recently we have seen an overall increase in the UK in sheep being attacked and this is why we are calling on the support of the public to help minimise incidents of attacks on livestock by dogs.

“The weather is warming up and many people want to visit the countryside, so we are appealing to dog owners to follow the Countryside Code to keep their dogs under close control, preferably on a lead when using public paths where livestock is present.

“Of course we don’t want to alienate dog walkers by advocating draconian measures, but we would ask that owners keep dogs on a lead around livestock,” added Mr Roberts.

The Union has supported the Farmers Guardian ‘Take the Lead’ campaign since its launch in 2014 and continues to spread the message to the farming and non-farming community.

“If you see livestock in a field, even if there is a public footpath, please keep your dog on a lead. Sheep suffer greatly when they are chased, worried or attacked by dogs and ewes may be extra protective of their young at this time of year.

“We want to work with the public on this matter and hope that with a common sense approach we can all enjoy the countryside together and keep our livestock and pets safe,” added Mr Roberts.