Members of the Farmers' Union of Wales Gwent branch recently visited the JCB production factory at Rocester, Staffordshire.

"The trip attracted tremendous interest from an early stage with the 53-seat bus being sold to capacity with a small reserve list being in operation," said FUW Gwent county executive officer Glyn Davies.

"Members and friends were treated to superb hospitality at the JCB visitor centre with lunch being served upon arrival.  Following lunch we had a tour of the production facilities, seeing JCB excavators produced from plain sheets of steel through to the finished products rolling off the end of the production line.

"In addition we were told the story of JCB, with examples of previous types of machinery on show. The visit can be highly recommended to anyone interested in the story of JCB and in the production of a first class industrial and agricultural machine.

"It was also extremely pleasing to note that JCB is still a privately owned company and that the original owners are direct descendents of the founder of the business."

Mr Davies said the manner in which JCB had grown into a global company was a perfect example of the high quality workmanship and engineering expertise available in this country.

"This visit has probably created a precedent in the county and members have already put forward a number of suggestions for next year’s trip."

[caption id="attachment_2304" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Gwent FUW members and friends outside JCB's Rocester factory[/caption]

The agricultural sector will be strongly represented later this month during a Ceredigion Day event in the House of Commons hosted by the county branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales and local MP Mark Williams.

The event on February 27 is an opportunity to give a unique platform to the success stories of Ceredigion’s rural economy by showcasing local food and drink producers alongside leading figures from the county council, Tivy-Side Advertiser newspaper, Aberystwyth University, National Library of Wales and other businesses.

The FUW's delegation - president Emyr Jones, deputy president Glyn Roberts, county executive officer Caryl Wyn-Jones and other county officials - will meet Welsh MPs, Lord Elystan Morgan of Aberteifi and former FUW deputy general secretary Lord Morris of Aberavon to discuss the importance of promoting and supporting the Welsh local rural economy.

Miss Wyn-Jones said: "Ceredigion will have a good representation with various county-based companies and organisations in attendance. We look forward to sharing this day with local food and drink producers such as Sarah Bunton Chocolates, Llwynhelyg Farm Shop, Toloja Orchards, Tregroes Waffles and Teifi Cheese who will be showcasing their products.

"Ceredigion has a wealth of innovative and entrepreneurial rural businesses which provide a strong platform in these tough economic times and we believe it is vitally important for these key individuals responsible for driving our local economy forward to have the chance to speak face-to-face with the decision makers.”

The Welsh farming industry is appalled over the developments surrounding the mis-labelling of horsemeat that have taken place over recent weeks, a Farmers' Union of Wales leader said today.

Anglesey beef and sheep farmer Dafydd Roberts, chairman of the union's livestock, wool and marts committee, said: "Producers of lamb, beef and other Welsh products have to abide by strict criteria and rigorous inspection regimes to ensure animal traceability.

"It now appears that a parallel processed food supply chain has been operating fraudulently and in a way which is completely out of the control of and unrelated to Welsh farmers.

“We have already called for the FSA to refocus its efforts to tackle what appears to be mis-labelling and fraud by middle-men in a complex and convoluted processed food supply chain and we welcome the FSA’s actions and investigations regarding this," said Mr Roberts.

He also welcomed the EU's call for member states to carry out DNA tests on processed beef for traces of horsemeat for three months from March 1.

Health commissioner Tonio Borg, speaking after a meeting in Brussels with ministers from the UK, France and other affected countries, said horsemeat should also be tested for the presence of the veterinary medicine phenylbutazone ("bute").

Mr Roberts added: “Matters are developing on a daily basis but once we know all the facts about these horrendous practices Governments and the authorities must react robustly and in a way which ensures this can never happen again.

“We also believe that this should instigate a sea-change in our food culture and be a wake-up call for our supermarkets and other food suppliers.

"All food providers must, as much as is possible, take on the models adopted by so many FUW members who have developed food businesses with short farm-to-fork supply chains, meaning they can tell you exactly where a piece of meat comes from and who reared it.

"In the meantime, consumers can be confident that when they buy beef or lamb labelled as Welsh and accompanied by the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) logo, at their local butcher's or supermarket, it will be genuine. Our advice is - look for the logos."

[caption id="attachment_2293" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Anglesey beef and sheep farmer Dafydd Roberts, chairman of the union's livestock, wool and marts committee[/caption]

Welsh farmers were urged today to check if they have been mis-sold a fixed rate loan account during the period 2006 to 2011.

“There are farmers who are discovering to their detriment that loans taken out during this period are not what they were meant to be,” said Farmers’ Union of Wales business development director Emyr James.

“A Fixed Interest Rate loan is a straightforward retail product whereby a rate of interest for your borrowing is agreed for a fixed period of time. A five per cent rate for 10 years means exactly that, a rate of five per cent fixed for the whole term.

“Problems arose when the clearing banks introduced investment bank products to the retail sector.  In July 2012, the financial regulator branded the conduct of banks in the period running up to the crash as ‘unethical’, saying that in many cases staff at major lenders did not understand the products they were selling.”

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) believes banks suspended normal ethical standards and were selling products that were profitable for the investment banks, not well understood by the banking staff that were introducing them and not at all understood by the customers who were buying them.

“If you think you have been sold a product described as an Interest Rate Swap, Interest Rate Cap or Interest Rate Collar which you assumed to be a straightforward Fixed Interest Rate loan, you should ask your bank for a full explanation and discuss it with professional advisers, an accountant or solicitor,” Mr James added.

“Eleven of the UK’s largest banks, including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and RBS Group, have now agreed to compensate businesses where ‘hedging’ products (including Rate Swaps, Caps and Collars) have been mis-sold to small businesses considered to be non-sophisticated borrowers.

“The FSA estimates at least 28,000 such businesses have been sold interest rate swaps since 2001 and the banks have agreed to review their sales of hedging products amid allegations of serious mis-selling.

“I am convinced that there are borrowers within the agricultural sector who have been mis-sold hedging products but are unaware of the fact. If they have any doubts, they should make urgent enquiries and be prepared to make a complaint.

“They should bear in mind the Limitation Rule, which says that formal litigation against the bank for a case of mis-selling has to be made within six years of the date of signing the hedge.

“If they are close to this date they need to have their case assessed quickly and contact a solicitor who can register their claim before time runs out.“

Anglesey farmer Dilwyn Owen, winner of the popular S4C series Fferm Ffactor and a brand new Isuzu D-Max Yukon, has landed himself free vehicle insurance for a whole year - thanks to FUW Insurance.

“Dilwyn has made Anglesey proud by being crowned Fferm Ffactor’s Best Farmer,” said Farmers’ Union of Wales area officer Ann Harries.

“We’re pleased to be associated with his achievement and sponsoring the insurance on his new Isuzu shows our support to young farmers all over Wales,” she added.

Dilwyn, a 34-year-old beef and sheep farmer and contractor, of Llanedwen, beat off stiff competition from finalists Geraint Jenkins, of Talybont, Ceredigion, and Gethin Owen, of Betws yn Rhos, to win the Isuzu pick-up and the Fferm Ffactor title.

“I’m thrilled with my new Isuzu, and getting free insurance really is the icing on the cake,” said Dilwyn.

“On the first day of filming Fferm Ffactor I didn’t really envisage winning but it turned out to be one of the best experiences ever. With the fifth series coming up I’d urge anyone to go for it, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he added.

Since the first series in 2009 Fferm Ffactor has gone from strength to strength and the fifth series will air in the Autumn 2013.

Producers Cwmni Da of Caernarfon are receiving nominations for candidates until March 31. To enter or to nominate a friend or relative call the Fferm Ffactor team on (01286) 685300 or visit www.s4c.co.uk/ffermffactor

[caption id="attachment_2284" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Dilwyn Owen and Ann Harries with his new Isuzu D-Max Yukon[/caption]

Concerns and priorities over the impact of CAP reform on Welsh farmers were highlighted during a meeting at Builth Wells between Farmers’ Union of Wales officials and staff and Liberal Democrat Westminster and Cardiff politicians.

At the meeting, Brecon and Radnorshire MP Roger Williams and Mid and West Wales AM William Powell - both FUW members - and Ceredigion MP Mark Williams were told the majority of the CAP amendments proposed by the EU’s agriculture committee were to be welcomed and would significantly reduce the adverse impact of the original proposals put forward by the EC.

Afterwards Breconshire farmer Brian Bowen, vice chairman of the FUW’s livestock, wool and marts committee, said: “The MEPs certainly seem to understand agriculture and recognise the need to maintain EU food security far more than the commission and, as such, they have agreed amendments which would significantly reduce the impact of the original proposals for Welsh farmers.”

Mr Bowen said that while the FUW objected to linking “greening” rules to direct payments, the amendments agreed by MEPs were a massive improvement which would lessen the adverse impacts of the original proposals on Wales’ environment and farm businesses.

“Ironically, the commission’s greening proposals would have acted as a disincentive for farmers to enter agri-environment schemes and made farms less self-sufficient.

“The amendments go some way towards reintroducing the original concept of encouraging farms to lessen their environmental impact and their input costs as a part of greening, whereas the original commission proposals would severely limit a farm’s ability to grow its own crops or plant cover crops to help wildlife.”

However, Mr Bowen warned that the devil would be in the detail of the final regulations which are expected to be finalised over the coming months pending agreement over the EU budget.

Mr Bowen also emphasised the FUW’s major concerns over the proposed liberalisation of modulation arrangements. “We understand that the UK Government is seeking to be able to modulate up to 20% of pillar 1 monies in order to pay for pillar 2 underfunding without any obligation to co-fund such monies.

“This would move us further away from the principle of having a more common policy across the EU which underpins the current negotiations. If we want more money for Pillar 2 it should come from securing a fairer share of the EU budget - we currently gets a fraction of what we should get and that is what we should be fighting for.”

Other issues discussed included the CAP budgetary allocation for Wales and the move to a flat rate payment, the potential loss of Welsh farmers’ meat levies to England and the Financial Service Authority’s report into the mis-selling of rate swap products to small businesses by their banks.

“We know there are big changes coming with the move to flat rate payments and we need to ensure that we avoid disruption to any particular sector,” said Mr Bowen.

“There seems little doubt that there will be many winners and losers. The worries over what system is finally adopted will compound concerns over the impact that the terrible weather, collapse in lamb prices and loss of upland support has had on farm incomes.

“Nevertheless, the MEPs’ amendments to the draft CAP regulations, if respected, may provide a number of mechanisms by which to help the Welsh industry.”

[caption id="attachment_2281" align="aligncenter" width="300"] From left, FUW Brecon and Radnor county executive officer Aled Jones, William Powell, Brian Bowen, Mark Williams, Roger Williams and FUW director of policy Nick Fenwick[/caption]