A variety of topics ranging from CAP reform, the future of the Euro and UK interest rates, and the controversial increased countryside access proposals were debated during the Farmers' Union of Wales Denbighshire branch annual general meeting on November 15 at the Brookhouse Mill, near Denbigh.

Members had an opportunity to question a panel - consisting of Anglesey farmer and FUW life member Tom Jones, HSBC Bank senior agriculture manager Bryn Edmunds and FUW land use and parliamentary committee chairman Gavin Williams - and discuss a number of agricultural and other topical issues.

Mr Jones provided an overview of the CAP as it is currently proposed in Wales, outlining the potential scenarios now being discussed in relation to land categories and how these might affect farms in areas like Denbighshire with its varied landscape and agricultural business types.

Mr Edmunds gave a bank’s perspective on the recent and long-term trends in interest rates, exchange rates and loan facilities (both historical and into the future) for various types of on-farm investments.

And Mr Williams gave the members an insight into the variety of subject areas that the FUW’s land use committee deals with throughout the year including the Welsh Government's recent proposals open up access to the countryside which is particularly contentious at present.

Following his annual report to the members, the evening was chaired by county chairman Iwan Jones who revealed that the branch had been particularly busy this year, with the main event being the National Eisteddfod, at which the branch had sponsored the Crown, undertook the parking duties for the week with the assistance of some local organisations and ran a very successful stand on the Eisteddfod Maes.

In addition, several shows were attended during the summer. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks by county vice chairman John Roberts who thanked the panellists for their contribution to the meeting, especially given the short notice following the withdrawal of Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM due to illness.

Welsh farmers were urged today to take advantage of advances in technology and research to maximise output whilst controlling production costs during the Farmers’ Union of Wales autumn conference at Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

Opening the conference FUW president Emyr Jones said: “Significant inroads have been made in ‘producing more from less’ but margins remain tight and we farmers must continue to work towards maximising outputs whilst controlling production costs.

“Technological advances in agriculture are not the result of adopting a one-tool technique but, instead, represent numerous different types of techniques to provide a package of technologies to suit different farm types and different kinds of stock.

“Over the past 20 years, agricultural productivity has advanced at a greater rate than ever before.  However, the ever-increasing pressure to reduce production costs and the rising global demand for food means that enhancing agricultural productivity remains a key challenge for the farming sector.

“Whilst adverse weather conditions and other factors, such as disease outbreaks, will have a short-term impact on productivity, it will be the longer-term advances and developments in agri-technologies that will have an impact on the growth, productivity and success of the sector as a whole.

“We are pleased to have such excellent examples of how the industry is moving forward through technology and research here today,” added Mr Jones.

Welsh farmers were urged today to carefully read any correspondence they may receive from the Land Registry with details of landowners who registered their manorial rights before the October 13 deadline.

Farmers' Union of Wales Montgomeryshire county executive officer Susan Jones said that after local landowners in the area had registered manorial rights by the October  deadline, farmers were now starting to receive notices from the Land Registry advising them a third party is seeking to protect the mineral interests.

"The notices explain who has made the application, what they are seeking to register and how to get more information if it is needed. They also require any objections to the registration to be submitted within 21 days," Mrs Jones said.

"It is this time period which farmers must make sure they meet if they wish to appeal. I've been receiving lots of calls from farmers about this issue and I'm concerned that some may not be aware of the need to respond within the 21-day deadline if they want an appeal considered.

"Land Registry lawyers will consider any objections in the first instance. Any ‘valid’ objections - for example, if you can prove the rights belong to you or they no longer exist - will then be considered."

The new police and crime commissioner for Dyfed-Powys stressed his top priority is to develop a rural policing force and take on more special constables when he recently addressed Farmers' Union of Wales' Carmarthenshire county executive committee.

Christopher Salmon provided details of his responsibilities such as setting priorities for policing and controlling the force's budget - £55m is received from Central Government with the remaining £45m from public taxes.

Dyfed-Powys is the largest rural police force in the UK with 500,000 people covered by the service. In comparison, the Thames Valley police force is responsible for policing five million people in an area a third of the size.

With the force thinly spread out over the area Dyfed-Powys Police, therefore, depends greatly on the local community to keep them informed of crime and to report suspicious incidents.

FUW Carmarthenshire county chairman Catherine Nakielny said: "Mr Salmon gave us a really interesting insight into the challenges facing the force and what changes this new office have put in place in recent months.

"The rural nature of our locality seems to provide challenges and opportunities and one of the messages which came out was that as well as relying on the police force we also need to work together to help prevent rural crime.

"A good example given was the OWL messaging service. This service informs local residents including farmers of any issue having occurred in the area," Dr Nakielny added.

To sign up for either the e-mail or text message service, FUW members should contact the County Office on 01267 237 974.

[caption id="attachment_2669" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] COMMISSIONER CALLS: From left, FUW county vice chairman Brian Richards, Christopher Salmon, Catherine Nakielny and county president Ian Rickman.[/caption]

Tragic tales of the consequences of the mis-selling of swap loans, also known as Interest Rate Hedging (IRH) products, were outlined at a recent meeting attended by Farmers' Union of Wales business development director Emyr James.

"Scores of business proprietors from all over Wales who had been sold IRH products gathered at Ty Hywel in Cardiff Bay to raise awareness amongst Assembly Members of a major issue with the sales," said Mr James.

“Farmers are amongst businesses where there is the possibility that mis-selling has taken place. Some have complained about their plight but it is believed there are many more farmers affected by this issue who are reluctant to come forward.

"Tragic tales of the consequences of mis-selling were heard at the meeting including businesses going into administration and high levels of personal stress."

Chaired by Ceredigion AM Elin Jones, the meeting was addressed by Aberconwy MP Guto Bebb and founding director of Bully Banks Jeremy Roe who outlined their lobbying efforts at Westminster and with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

In January 2013, the former Financial Services Authority (FSA) found that over 90 per cent of sales from a sample study of cases breached their regulations and over 90 per cent of those were mis-sold.

"This high proportion of non-compliant sales is being replicated in the ongoing FCA-supervised review which aims to provide rapid, fair and reasonable redress to small businesses mis-sold these instruments.

"It is generally accepted that the sale of these Swap Loan products to family farming businesses was totally inappropriate as they were far too complicated for them to fully understand the risks involved.”

Mr James advises any farming business in doubt whether they have been sold an IRH product or swap loan to take the following steps: 

• Enquire of your bank whether any loan account established/restructured during period 2005-2008 is an IRH product.

• If you have been sold an IRH/swap loan, ask your bank to review the selling process in accordance with FCA guidelines.

• Report the fact that there is the possibility you may have been mis-sold a swap loan to your MP and AM.

• Join Bully Banks, an organisation made up of individuals who have been mis-sold a hedging product that coordinates representation at FSA and Central Government level to secure proper redress and compensation.

A group of Welsh food producers who attended the first Food & Drink Show Northern Ireland 2013 recently are celebrating the success of their trade mission despite it being described as like "taking coal to Newcastle".

The group was assembled by Farmers' Union of Wales member Robert Vaughan who is passionate about agriculture and the meat produced at his Longhorn cattle and Lleyn sheep farm in the hills overlooking the Gwaun Valley near Fishguard.

"We had a fantastic welcome throughout the three days of the show in the King’s Hall Pavilion in Belfast - the original site of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society’s Balmoral Show which is now held on a new site at Balmoral Park, Lisburn.

“The food and drink show was a huge attraction for hundreds of consumers who enjoyed a delicious mix of great produce, celebrity guests and live demonstrations. The organisers wouldn’t let us go until we promised to go back again next year.

"All the producers from Wales agreed that it had been a very enjoyable and successful trade mission. We sold out of the various products we offered for sale at the event and received lots of new orders.

"In spite of the travel costs I'm sure the trip will prove to be worthwhile for everyone," added Mr Vaughan, who farms in the shadow of Carn Edward mountain that gives its name to his established herd of Longhorns.

The cattle graze the striking surrounding landscape from which a very traditional farming practice has moved with the times to meet modern demands.

“We produce good old fashioned beef at modest prices,” added Mr Vaughan who, along with his family, endeavours to provide a quality product for the consumer and kitchen table at realistic prices.

Carn Edward sell at numerous locations, including Fishguard, Aberystwyth, Swansea Uplands and weekly at Riverside in Cardiff farmers’ markets, and attend many food festivals.

Details of the enterprise are on Twitter @carnedward and on their website, from which lamb and beef packs can also be purchased. The farm is approximately 500 acres and runs from the valley bottom to the hill top, providing a variety of diverse habitats. 

Over 20 years ago Robert's parents Dilwyn and Suzanne established the adjacent Penlan Uchaf Gardens which attract around 20,000 visitors a year.

The family decided to specialise in rearing Longhorns 10 years ago because the taste and the texture of the meat is incredible. "They also suit the local environment needs by helping maintain the diverse habitats that are rich in a variety of flora and fauna," Robert said.                                                                                                                   

"Additionally, the cattle’s fearsome horns belie their docile temperament which compliments the Garden visitors and many foot walkers crossing the farms. In much the same way, we chose to breed Lleyn sheep nine years ago, again because of their temperament and suitability to the farm’s environment.

"The Longhorn herd stand at 200 and is growing. They are grass fed throughout the year and finished on home grown barley and oats. The calves are typically born in the spring, with the cattle housed on straw in our barns during the wettest parts of winter.

"Currently the Lleyn flock consists of approximately 600 sheep."

Another business with strong farming connections that was part of the mission was Aerona which produces liqueur made by Hazel and Gwilym Jones with hand picked aronia berries from plants grown on the family farm, Rhedynog Isaf, Chwilog, near Pwllheli. Every bottle produced is unique as they are all hand filled, crafted and finished.

Other members of the group, who regularly attend Welsh food markets and festivals, that made the trip to Belfast included sisters Laura and Katie Jenkins who, just over a year ago, launched Oh Sugarplum! which produces homemade confectionary using high quality ingredients and seasonal local produce at their kitchen in Wolfcastle, Haverfordwest.

They can regularly be found experimenting with new - sometimes quirky!! - recipes and also selling their fudge, marshmallow and truffles at local farmers’ markets, craft fairs, events and food festivals.

Little Welsh Deli, of Grovesend, Swansea, an award-winning artisan pastie-making company, also did a roaring trade at the show. All their pastry and fillings are hand crimped and include local ingredients wherever possible including Gower beef and Pembrokeshire lamb as well as minced beef from Carn Edward.

Group members, Carmarthen-based VDeli, produce a range of meat-free sausages, burgers, pasties and scones using fresh, locally sourced produce and combining unusual flavours and can be found at Carmarthen outdoor market every Saturday.

And Samosaco of Pontyclun produces samosas, bhajees, gluten free pakoras and gluten free mixes. All its products are 100 per cent vegetarian and they do not use any artificial preservatives, colouring, flavouring, MSG, or GM products.

[caption id="attachment_2664" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Welsh food producers celebrate success of 'taking coal to Newcastle'[/caption]