Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the AHDB ‘Monitor Farm Mondays’ farm meetings will be replaced by a series of weekly webinars featuring monitor farms which will cover a range of different subjects.
All webinars will begin at 7pm and last for around one hour with a Q&A session to finish.
Please click on the links below for further information and to register for free.
| Scheme | Summary | Window Close |
| Farm Business Grant - Yard Coverings |
The Farm Business Grant Yard Coverings scheme seeks to support farmers to improve their current infrastructure for yard coverings - covering feeding areas, slurry pits, silage stores etc - where rainwater can be separated. The scheme will have two windows and offer support of between £3,000 and £12,000. Local FUW County Executive Officers will be able to explain the scheme requirements to members. FUW staff will not be able to complete the Expression of Interest on behalf of members due to the technical requirements. Further information is available on the Welsh Government website |
18 December 2020 (£1.5 million) |
| Glastir Woodland Creation (GWC) |
The 10th Expression of Interest window is now open for the GWC scheme with a budget of £9 million. The scheme provides financial support for capital works including planting, fencing and in certain circumstances, annual maintenance and premium payments.
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15 January 2021 |
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has reacted with anger and dismay at the House of Commons’ rejection of amendments to the Agriculture Bill that would protect UK consumers and producers from food imports produced to lower environmental, animal health and welfare and social standards.
Despite the House of Lords having previously supported the amendment and pressures from the agricultural industry, environmental and animal welfare bodies, MPs voted by 332 votes to 279 - a majority of 53 - to reject the amendment which would have ensured food included in any future trade deal would have to meet UK standards.
Farmers and consumers across the UK have reacted angrily to news that Conservative Peer Lucy Neville-Rolfe, chair of Assured Food Standards - the company which owns Red Tractor farm assurance - voted in the House of Lords against amendments to the Agriculture Bill aimed at protecting UK farmers from imports produced to lower standards.
‘Red Tractor’ regularly tightens up rules for participating farmers, and recently opened a consultation on livestock market and collection centre standards stating “...standards must always be kept up to date...Keeping standards relevant is vital for preserving the public’s trust in the Red Tractor logo and in UK agriculture. It has never been more important that we demonstrate our commitment to meeting consumer expectations at a time of ever-increasing scrutiny.”
As many had anticipated, negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the UK and EU are set to continue despite the initial ‘walk away’ deadline of 15th October.
UK negotiator Lord Frost had a “constructive” call with EU’s Michel Barnier on 20th October, and the EU has stated that the door remains ajar for talks. However, both sides await a fundamental change in approach from the other party to break the stalemate.
Key areas of disagreement remain to include fishing rights and post-Brexit competition rules, known as State Aid, as the EU wants the UK to agree to rules which would limit the extent of Government support that can be given to businesses, despite the fact that the UK may have already scored an own goal with restrictions included as part of the UK-Japan FTA. There is also the controversial approach to amending the Northern Ireland Protocol which would break international law and consequently damage the UK’s reputation.
Tel: 01970 820820
Email: post@fuw.org.uk
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