[caption id="attachment_5892" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FUW younger voice for farming committee chairman Darren Williams (l) highlighted CAP concerns to EU Agricultural Commissioner Phil Hogan (r) in July[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5893" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Darren Williams highlighted key elements that need simplifying during a farm visit with Commissioner Phil Hogan over the summer[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed moves announced by EU Agricultural Commissioner Phil Hogan aimed at simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy and reducing red tape for farmers and administrations.

The announcement, made by the Commissioner at the Council of Ministers meeting held on Tuesday November 17, includes the introduction in 2016 of preventive preliminary checks as part of the Basic Payment application process and a more proportionate approach to on-the-spot checks. However, the Commissioner also outlined further simplification measures which would be drawn up in 2016.

Speaking after the announcement, FUW president Glyn Roberts said: “Despite a previous EU commitment to simplifying the new CAP, the rules have become even more burdensome in the last year.

“As such, we welcome the changes and commitments announced by Commissioner Hogan, key elements of which have been called for repeatedly by the Farmers’ Union of Wales, including in response to the Commissioner’s call for suggestions earlier this year.”

Mr Roberts said many farmers would be frustrated at the rate at which such changes were likely to be introduced and how these would be interpreted by the Welsh Government.

“However, Mr Hogan’s commitment to continuing to work on simplification, rather than making a ‘big bang’ announcement then closing the door is welcome.”

The announcement included:
• Allowing administrations to identify problems with Basic Payment applications so that even up to 35 days after the final date of submission corrections can be made without the application of penalties
• Under certain circumstances, allowing administrations to target on-the-spot checks to where they will have greatest effect in order to reduce the burden for farmers and administrations alike
• Providing farmers with further possibilities in terms of modifying their declarations regarding the use of agricultural parcels for the purpose of BPS greening requirements
• A commitment to consider how the penalty system can be adjusted to ensure penalty levels are not disproportionate and accurately reflect the seriousness or otherwise of any breach of scheme rules while maintaining sound financial management of budgets

“We look forward to further announcements over the coming months in line with those priority areas identified by the FUW,” added Mr Roberts.

[caption id="attachment_5884" align="aligncenter" width="300"] (l-r) Welsh Dairy Show committee chairman Lynn Davies, HSBC agriculture relationship manager Sarah Raymond, Revd Canon Eileen Davies, FUW deputy president Brian Thomas and Welsh Dairy Show president Brian Jones.[/caption]

The Reverend Canon Eileen Davies, BTh, ARAgS has been recognised for her services to agriculture with the Farmers’ Union of Wales/United Counties Agricultural & Hunters Society award.
The award is presented to the person judged to have made the most outstanding contribution to agriculture in Carmarthenshire during the past few years.

Eileen was born at Aberdauddwr, Llanllwni, a family farm and after getting married to Dyfrig Davies in 1990 became a partner in the family farm at Gwndwn, Llanllwni where she continues to farm with her husband and son, Owain.

It is a 300 acre mixed farm where they milk 75 pedigree Holstein cows under the prefix ‘Llanllwni’ and they also keep 200 commercial breeding ewes.

In 2013, Canon Eileen Davies was honoured by the Royal Welsh Society by being presented with the Associate of the Royal Agricultural Society for her work supporting people working in agriculture who are in need.

FUW deputy president Brian Thomas, who presented Canon Davies with the award, said: “The judges were delighted by the high calibre of candidates presented to them this year but the Rev Canon Eileen Davies stood out for her work in assisting farmers and rural communities in their hour of need.

“We can only be grateful for people like Eileen Davies and it is therefore an honour to present her with this award.”

She is a past, faithful and successful member of Carmarthenshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs and attended Llanllwni YFC where she was club chairman between 1984 and 1985.
Also she served as club secretary and club treasurer and later became a dedicated club leader and more recently was president of the club.

During her time as a member of the YFC, Eileen gained great success at county, Wales and national level of England and Wales arranging flowers, poultry trussing and jointing, stock judging, public speaking, drama and half an hour’s entertainment competitions.

In 1985, she became a county attendant and in 1989 served as an exceptional county queen.

The following year due to her commitment, Eileen was nominated as county chairman and gained great respect during her year in office.

In 2001, although already busy, Eileen decided to become a part time priest and after studying for three years was ordained at St. David’s Cathedral in 2005.

Between 2004 and 2008 she served as a Curate at Lampeter and Llanddewi Brefi. In 2005 she was elected as the rural co-ordinator for the St. David’s diocese, a post she holds until the present day. In 2008, she gained the Bachelor of Theology degree and from then until the present has been a full time vicar at Llanerchaeron, Ciliauaeron, Dihewyd and Mydroilyn churches.

In 2012, Eileen became an honorary Canon at the diocese of St. David’s and 2014 became an official full time Canon at the diocese.

In 2015 in the name of the St. David’s diocese, Eileen Davies established “Tir Dewi”, an initiative which aims to provide a listening ear for local farmers facing modern day challenges and aims to provide them with support and guidance to help them through the difficult times.

Carmarthenshire YFC county organiser, Eirios Thomas, who nominated Canon Davies on behalf of the county, said: “Eileen has worked tirelessly for the agricultural and rural communities of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion for many years and has been a listening ear to many when they have been at their lowest.

“People feel they can turn to Eileen and discuss matters in total confidence due to her understanding of the agricultural and rural communities. The respect people have towards this lady is incredible.

“She is professional and yet approachable in her work and I have followed and supported her career throughout the years. She is truly worthy of being recognised for all her hard work in our agricultural and rural communities.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is warning members and rural business not to respond to a scam letter issued by ‘UK Data Control’ asking for details of missing VAT numbers.  

The official Government looking letter asks for confirmation of VAT numbers and other business details. However the small print within the letter confirms that by signing and returning the form the signatory is agreeing to pay £790 annually for their details to be published on a website. 

FUW president Glyn Roberts said: “This letter has been made to look like official Government communication which could easily trick many farmers and rural business owners into providing their details. 

“The financial implication of providing the company with business details could be devastating. I urge farmers and rural business owners to remain vigilant against these scam letters.”  

Any farmer who is unsure as to the validity of a letter asking for financial or business details should contact their local trading standards office or contact the Citizens Advice consumer services on 03454 04 05 06 or a Welsh line on 03454 04 05 05.

[caption id="attachment_5878" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] (L-R) FUW vice president Eifion Huws, FUW president Glyn Roberts, Glyn Owen, FUW Anglesey deputy milk committee delegate Robert Pritchard, Mel Jones RABI, FUW Anglesey president Tom Jones, FUW Anglesey vice chairman Peter Williams and Rhun ap Iorwerth AM.[/caption]

The Anglesey branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales recently met local AM Rhun Ap Iorwerth to discuss a variety of matters such as dropping milk prices, the current state of the agricultural industry and the impact of the new Basic Payment System.

The meeting was held at Graiglwyd Ganol, a 200 acre third-generation family owned dairy farm, now run by Glyn Owen, his wife Vanessa and their 3 children who have invested heavily in a new milking parlour and cubicles for their 120 strong dairy herd.

Their biggest worry, like that of so many others in the industry, is the constant uncertainty about farmgate prices, market volatility and how they can survive in the coming years in an industry that is looking far from prosperous.

“We are of course concerned how we will keep the farm running and provide a future for our children. Our eldest son Gwion has come home to farm after spending time in Glynllifon College studying agriculture and all this upheaval after we have heavily invested in the farm brings us plenty of sleepless nights. It is however not just our bank accounts that we are worried about – what we get paid or not has an immediate knock-on effect on so many other rural businesses and it is about time that those higher up recognise this,” said Glyn Owen.

Following the visit Rhun Ap Iorwerth said: “It’s becoming increasingly difficult for our farmers to make a living from putting food on our table.

“Despite having recently invested in a new milking parlour, this family farm is under an enormous strain. They will survive due to sheer hard work and determination, and will hopefully reap the benefits when the industry starts to pick up, but it’s vital for our farmers to have continued support of their unions and charities such as R.A.B.I as we try to work towards improving the situation.”

FUW Anglesey county executive officer Heidi Williams said: “It was good to meet on site with Rhun Ap Iorwerth to highlight the problems faced by dairy farmers such as Glyn. We further had the opportunity to highlight how low farmgate prices affected the wider rural community and explain the wider importance of agriculture to Wales’ economy as a whole. There is a great deal more than just farm incomes riding on the release of for example the single farm payment and the long-term prosperity of our industry, and there is a great need for political recognition across the board.”

Please note that due to severe weather warnings issued for Saturday 14 November, the planned charity walk around the Hafod Estate has been cancelled.

We will re-arrange the event in aid of British Heart Foundation Cymru in the future.

Farmers are today reminded by the Farmers’ Union of Wales to be pitfall savvy when it comes to Glastir Entry and Glastir Advanced contracts to avoid financial penalties.

“It is important that farmers fully understand the obligations within their Glastir contracts as even a minor breach can result in a hefty/significant penalty,” said FUW land use policy officer Bernard Griffiths.

The union is therefore advising its members to regularly review their contracts to ensure that they are meeting the requirements.  The most common pitfalls to avoid are capital works not being fully completed within the time limit or to the correct standard; no activity or stocking diary kept and/or information being inaccurately recorded; sward height not achieved; damage to habitat land; rubbish not removed from the farm; non-completion of arable options; stocking levels or stock exclusion requirements not being met; inappropriate supplementary feeding on habitat land and not meeting hedge cutting requirements.

“Apart from being penalised financially it is also worth bearing in mind that if the number of breaches found at inspection continues to increase, then the Welsh Government are required to increase the number of inspections it must carry out as dictated by the European Commission – which of course will increase the chance of farms being selected for inspection,” added Mr Griffiths.

The FUW is further advising its members who are unsure of their contractual obligations to contact their local county office for further advice or the Rural Payments Wales Customer Contact centre on 0300 062 5004.