The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will drastically increase red tape, Farmers' Union of Wales president Emyr Jones predicted today.

Addressing the union's annual general meeting at Aberystwyth, Mr Jones said: "A decade ago we were told that the abolition of headage payments would reduce red tape for farmers and I was looking forward to seeing the back of the head counts and form-filling which accompanied the old system.

"Well, I don’t suppose I receive any fewer phone calls from farmers complaining about inspections and paperwork than my predecessors did under the old regime.

"In fact, I’d put money on the fact that I receive more.

"Now, on the eve of a new CAP, I am tempted to get rid of my mobile phone altogether - I don’t know if both my or the phone's batteries will be able to take it.

"What was promised by the European Commission would be a simplified CAP next year will elevate red tape to a new unprecedented level."

FUW PRESIDENT EMYR JONES' 2014 AGM MESSAGE

GJ FUW presentation

Farmers’ Union of Wales members and friends are planning to cover all 871 miles of the Wales Coast Path during a huge sponsored walk event to raise funds for children’s hospice charities T? Hafan and T? Gobaith, it was announced at the union’s annual general meeting in Aberystwyth today (Monday June 16).

The challenging event will take place on Saturday and Sunday September 13 and 14 when teams of union members, staff and friends will embark on various walks along the whole length of the Wales Coast Path in an effort to boost funds for both charities which have been chosen for FUW president Emyr Jones’ 2014 charity appeal.

More than £11,000 has already been raised since the appeal was launched earlier this year, Mr Jones told county delegates.

He added: “The idea of covering every section of the Wales Coast Path is a huge challenge but I have no doubt that, with the enthusiasm and support of union staff, members and friends already shown for raising as much money as possible for these two inspiring charities, it can be achieved.

“Walks have been organised for all sections of the coast path, varying in length from three to 16 miles, and we will require about 90 teams to help us meet our target.

“We invite anyone willing and able to join us for this exciting fundraising event to let their local FUW county office know as soon as possible. Pre-registration is essential due to the nature of the event,” said Mr Jones.

For further information and to pre-register for the event please contact your local county office or the FUW press office on 01970 820820.

The sun shone and the welcome was warm for food and drink exhibitors who took part in Montgomeryshire Day hosted by local MP Glyn Davies in the Jubilee Room at the House of Commons on Wednesday (June 10).

Farmers' Union of Wales' Montgomeryshire county branch helped co-ordinate the event, together with Mr Davies and his staff, to show off some of the unique features of his constituency.

It allowed organisations and small producers the opportunity to display their products and bring Montgomeryshire to the attention of several MPs, peers and their staff in London.

FUW Montgomeryshire's newly-elected county chairman Mark Williams said: “The response to the day was amazing with exhibitors having to answer numerous questions about their work and the products they produced.”

Visitors to the Jubilee room were able to sample speciality cakes and biscuits from Doodlebakes, sausages and speciality ham from Neuaddfach Baconry, washed down with local beverages from Monty’s Brewery, Berriew Cider, Montgomeryshire Spring Water and Kerry Vale Vineyard.

Tourism also played a central role with Montgomeryshire’s recreation, landscape and variety of accommodation - ranging from a tipi campsite to farmhouse accommodation to luxurious lodges - highlighted.

"The highly successful event showed Montgomeryshire has a lot to offer and many ‘hidden gems’ to discover on any visit to Wales," Mr Williams added.

[caption id="attachment_2930" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] MONTGOMERYSHIRE DAY: From left, Mark Williams, FUW president Emyr Jones, Powys County Council chairman Roche Davies and Glyn Davies.[/caption]

The Farmers' Union of Wales today welcomed the launch of the Welsh Government's "Action Plan for the Food and Drink Industry 2014-2020", describing it as an "ambitious document" which could have real benefits for the food industry in Wales.

The union stressed that the primary production sector is a vital aspect of the food and drink industry in Wales and a profitable farming industry will help deliver the ambitious targets within the plan.

FUW president Emyr Jones said: "Wales has been without a strategic direction for food and drink over the past few years so today’s launch  will begin the process of growing the Welsh food chain from farm to fork which, if implemented properly, could help farm businesses become more sustainable economically.

"The programme aims to grow sales within the food and farming sector by 30% and the FUW welcomes the fact that many of its comments and suggestions submitted during the consultation process have been adopted as part of the strategy."

The strategy itself comprises 48 action proposals ranging from upskilling the labour force to public sector procurement and business growth and development.

"The FUW will now consider the detail of the Action Plan and will contribute to the ongoing discussions on its implementation," Mr Jones added.

[caption id="attachment_2927" align="aligncenter" width="270"] FUW president Emyr Jones[/caption]

Farmers’ Union of Wales officials have raised concerns over the damage low beef cattle prices is causing to farm incomes and the confidence of the industry with Welsh MPs at meetings in Westminster.

During meetings with MPs Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd), Guto Bebb (Aberconwy) and Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire), FUW president Emyr Jones and deputy president Glyn Roberts highlighted the anger felt by farmers just 12 months after the horsemeat scandal led supermarkets to pledge allegiance to British beef.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Jones said: “There is a strong sense of anger out there with people feeling that the promises made by supermarkets have been shown to be hollow.

“Twelve months ago the food industry was falling over itself to apologise for selling horsemeat labelled as beef to consumers, and pledging allegiance to supply quality Welsh and British beef.

“With prices at unsustainably low levels, and a significant increase in imported beef undermining prices, the industry now feels betrayed.”

Mr Roberts said: “The figures we have also suggest that the savings made by supermarkets through paying low prices to farmers are not being passed on to consumers and many feel both farmers and consumers are being squeezed in order to make up for dwindling supermarket profits.”

Mr Roberts added that the Welsh MPs were left in no doubt as to the strength of feeling amongst Welsh farmers.

THE chief executive of economic development company Menter a Busnes stressed the organisation's enthusiasm for encouraging Welsh speakers to play a wider role in the economy at a meeting of the Farmers' Union of Wales bilingual and publicity committee.

Explaining the work and structure of the Aberystwyth-based organisation, Alun Jones told delegates it only advertised job vacancies in Welsh in West Wales and the ability to speak Welsh was a requirement for most of its posts.

He highlighted the organisation’s commitment to preserving the Welsh language by training its staff to operate fully bilingually and provide extra training for those members of staff who need to progress their Welsh-speaking ability.

He said bilingual staff offered the company a competitive advantage when competing for tenders and contracts.

At times it can be difficult to recruit bilingual staff but the company tries to ensure its clients get a service in the language of their choice, which sometimes means mobilising staff from adjoining counties, Mr Jones added.

Carmarthenshire delegate Mansel Charles, of Sarngelli, Llanegwad, was re-elected as the committee's chairman and Anglesey delegate Tegwyn Jones, of Hafod, Llanfairpwll, was elected vice chairman.

[caption id="attachment_2920" align="aligncenter" width="672"] WELSH LANGUAGE COMMITMENT: From left, Tegwyn Jones, Alun Jones and Mansel Charles[/caption]