The Farmers’ Union of Wales welcomed the Welsh Government’s launch today (February 17) of its online IACS/SAF completion and submission system, describing it as a positive step forward which will reduce errors and allow more time to complete forms before the all-important May 15 deadline.

Under EU rules, Single Application Form (SAF) and Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) data must be completed and submitted by May 15 each year, with failure to meet this deadline or errors in the data submitted resulting in draconian penalties.

“This year, for the first time, farmers will be able to complete and submit their forms online, with the online system being made available around a month earlier than the paper forms,” said FUW president Emyr Jones.

“Obviously problems such as poor broadband coverage in some areas mean that the system will not be suitable for all, but the launch of the online system will reduce the workload for many farmers as well as FUW offices which help members with their forms.”

The FUW assists around 3,000 members with the completion of their forms each year ahead of the May 15 deadline.

“The online system also means there is a reduced risk of mistakes since a great deal of information will be provided instantly, such as comparisons between areas and the numbers of field parcels claimed upon in 2014 and 2013, and instant confirmation that the form has been submitted,” said Mr Jones.

However, he advised farmers to ensure that they carefully follow the guidance on using the online system.

Online submission should also mean that data is processed more quickly by the Welsh Government since the form will not have to be scanned and interpreted before being entered onto the system, added Mr Jones.

“We would advise members interested in using the service to contact their FUW County Offices for further details, particularly those who wish to get their forms submitted ahead of the main lambing season.”

Natural resources and food minister Alun Davies has indicated that by 2016 he wants all IACS/SAF forms to be completed online, but the FUW has made it clear that farmers should retain the option to complete paper forms - not least because of issues of discrimination and problems with broadband coverage.

“However, we need to be realistic about the advantages of RPW Online for those who are in a position to make the most of the service, particularly in terms of spotting basic mistakes, monitoring the processing of claims and changes, and ensuring that correct information has been submitted and accepted by Rural Payments Wales,” Mr Jones added.

The Farmers' Union of Wales today expressed concern over continued moves by UK Government to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) as part of the Public Bodies Bill - due to be debated in the House of Commons next Tuesday (October 25). 

“The Union has always supported the AWB and remains concerned that unless there are systems in place to protect payments to agricultural workers, the industry will not attract the highly skilled individuals it needs to thrive," said the union's deputy director of agricultural policy Rhian Nowell-Phillips. 

The Union has made representations to the Government’s in Cardiff and Westminster highlighting that the AWB is still considered to be the most effective body to determine the pay and conditions of workers in a way which reflects the unique requirements of the agricultural industry in Wales. 

"As many farms in Wales run with relatively few staff, the AWB is considered an important means of avoiding potential conflict and lengthy negotiations with individual staff," said Ms Nowell-Phillips. 

The FUW strongly believes the AWB’s role in setting minimum rates of pay can reflect the need for agricultural workers to be flexible in their working arrangements to cover busy periods, fine weather, and unsocial hours, which are not covered by general employment law provision. 

"The economic climate within the agricultural industry has made it a less attractive option for young people, and rewarding skills, qualifications, and levels of responsibility is a vital means of persuading high calibre people to remain or enter into the industry. 

"Reliance on a single national minimum wage will inevitably result in an erosion of talent and skills from farming as more lucrative and physically less challenging professions are taken up. 

"The Union believes that there needs to be arrangements put in place to deal with enhanced terms and conditions which reflect the dedication of agricultural workers," Ms Nowell-Phillips added.

Staff at the Farmers' Union of Wales Anglesey office have gone the "extra mile" and recruited more new members last year than any of the union's 11 county branches.

Presenting staff awards at the FUW's recent annual business conference in Aberystwyth, deputy president Glyn Roberts said the union's effective stance on major issues, reflecting the views and needs of the industry, should attract new members.

"The practical support and advice available from our county office structure is undoubtedly one of the best services to be found within the industry.

"FUW Insurance Services continues to attract new business. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to go out and seek new members at every opportunity and clearly the winner of this award for 2013 has gone the extra mile."

A special award was made to Montgomeryshire area officer Nia Wyn Evans who collected the most FUW Insurance Services new customer leads during the four days of last year's Royal Welsh Show.

Awards were also made to Llanrwst-based area officer Caryl Edwards (best performance against target) and Newtown-based area officer David Lush (best managed portfolio).

[caption id="attachment_2770" align="aligncenter" width="165"] NEW MEMBERS AWARD: Anglesey county executive officer Heidi Williams[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2771" align="aligncenter" width="300"] STAFF AWARD WINNERS: From left, FUW area officers Nia Wyn Evans, David Lush, Caryl Edwards with FUW deputy president Glyn Roberts[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales today urged farmers to attend two Rural Development Programme (RDP) consultation events organised by Wales Rural Network to contribute to the final draft of the RDP 2014-2020 document.

The events will be held on March 10 at St David’s Hotel, Ewloe, Queensferry, Flintshire CH5 3YB and March on 12 at Hafod a Hendre, Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Powys LD2 3SY.

FUW land use and parliamentary committee chairman Gavin Williams said: “The union is encouraging farmers to attend at least one of these events to ensure that they can express their views on where the rural development resources should be spent over the next programme.

“Following the Minister’s decision to top slice 15% of Pillar 1 payments to fund rural development measures, it is extremely important that farmers get engaged in the consultation to ensure that they can help shape the proposals to benefit their businesses.”

Those interested in attending the events need to pre-register via registration page at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wales-rural-development-programme-2014-2020-consultation-events-registration-9297804985?aff=es2&rank=2&sid=ce1d7cae927111e3973a123139104db1

Farmers can also obtain further information on the events by contacting Welsh Government senior information officer Cath Midgley on 01686 620253/ 07817 405520 or via e-mail on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

North Wales farmer Gwenno Pugh, the first female winner of the popular S4C series Fferm Ffactor with its prize of a new Isuzu D-Max Yukon 4x4, has driven the vehicle away with free insurance for a whole year - thanks to FUW Insurance.

"We're pleased to be associated with Fferm Ffactor and Gwenno's fantastic achievement and sponsoring the insurance on her new Isuzu is part of our determination to support young farmers across Wales," said Farmers' Union of Wales north Meirionnydd area officer Eirian Lloyd Hughes.

"Sponsoring the insurance on her new vehicle also gives us the chance to show that we can offer competitive insurance rates for all rural-based businesses.

"FUW Insurance is supported by a panel of specialist agriculture and commercial insurance companies and our field force of 32 area officers and management team work closely with farmers to make sure they have the cover needed to protect their businesses.

"Our staff understands the needs of the rural community and will be there when needed to give all our rural business customers a professional, locally-based service."

Gwenno, 28, farms sheep, cattle and pigs with her husband Gwion on their farm in Talsarnau, near Harlech, and also helps her father, FUW member Selwyn Hughes, on his farm at Tyn Llan, Penmynydd, Anglesey.

She said: "I entered the competition just hoping to become the first female contestant to reach the final but to go the extra step and actually win was an unbelievable feeling.

“It was such a privilege to become the first woman to win Fferm Ffactor since the series began in 2009. I'm delighted with my new Isuzu and getting free insurance from FUW really is a wonderful bonus," said Gwenno.

FUW member and Fferm Ffactor contestant Dylan Jones also won a new Yahama Grizzly 450 EPS ATV farm bike, a Logic OXR off-road trailer and - courtesy of FUW Insurance - a year's worth of insurance following a quad race during the series.

Dylan, 42, a part-time farmer from Bodffordd, Anglesey, completed the course quicker than the remaining contestants at the halfway stage of the 2013 Fferm Ffactor series.

[caption id="attachment_2766" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Dylan Jones with his FUW Insurance covered Yahama Grizzly ATV farm bike and Logic off-road trailer[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2767" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FFERM FFACTOR WINNER: From left: Gwion Lockett of R J Williams Ltd, Izuzu dealership at Talsarnau, with FUW area officer Eirian Lloyd Hughes and Fferm Ffactor 2013 winner Gwenno Pugh at the wheel.[/caption]

The Farmers' Union of Wales today advised Welsh farmers to follow Natural Resources Wales (NRW) guidance to help them manage slurry storage and spreading given the recent wet weather.

FUW land use and parliamentary committee chairman Gavin Williams said: "The NRW guidance offers advice on best practice and legal requirements to help farmers deal with the problems caused by full slurry stores and waterlogged land.

"The current atrocious weather conditions are making life difficult for farmers. The storms and heavy rain of the past two months have left them with full slurry stores and waterlogged fields unsuitable for spreading.

"The NRW guidance provides farmers with advice on creating short-term extra storage and, if this is not an option, guidance on spreading slurry whilst minimising the pollution risk and meeting legal guidelines."

The guidance can be found on the NRW website: naturalresourceswales.gov.uk