The Gwent branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is warning farmers to ensure that wood chip bedding for livestock has not been sourced from treated wood, and that they have a U8 waste exemption registered with Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

The warning follows after farmers in the Gwent area have been offered wood chip bedding, which in fact has been sourced from treated wood and can contain harmful and potentially hazardous substances.

Good quality wood chip should be produced from untreated wood, so it is clean and safe for livestock and for spreading. When woodchip has been used and is mixed in with farm slurry or manures, it can be composted and spread to agricultural land.

FUW Gwent County Executive Officer Glyn Davies said: “Woodchip has recently been offered to farmers as animal bedding at several livestock markets in South East Wales.

“Farmers who use this type of animal bedding need to check where their product has come from by asking the supplier if the wood chip has been produced from previously treated waste wood.

“NRW have stated that if this product is found to be illegal, then farmers who have had deliveries will need to dispose of it to landfill at their own expense. So please check the source of any wood chip used as animal bedding.”

Glamorganshire farmers recently came together to discuss the future of the red meat industry in light of Brexit at an information evening organised by the local Farmers’ Union of Wales branch.

The event, which was held at St Mary's Hotel in Bridgend, was well attended and farmers heard how Hybu Cig Cymru- Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) were hoping to ensure that Wales and the UK continue to have access to the European market after Bexit.

HCC Chairman Kevin Roberts told farmers that 70% of red meat from Wales is consumed in the UK and that 30% of red meat is exported to the European Union. He assured farmers that HCC will work with the industry to do all that is possible to keep such export markets open and is aiming continue to further market development by targeting the middle class affluent market in different countries such as China and Saudi Arabia if market access can be obtained.

Farming matters such as the red meat industry in Wales, rural crime in north east Wales and potential funding opportunities for farm businesses,  were hotly debated at the recent Farmers’ Union of Wales Flintshire branch Annual General Meeting.

The event, held on Monday, 30 October at Plas Hafod Hotel, Gwernymynydd, Mold, was well attended by many farmers and provided a great platform to also discuss the issue of light lamb prices and the need to find new markets for the lighter lambs.

Keynote speakers on the night were Gwyn Howells, Hybu Cig Cymru Chief Executive, Gareth Foulkes Catchment Advisor at the Welsh Dee River Trust and Rob Taylor, Rural Crime Team Manager for the North Wales Rural Crime team.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the announcement in continuity in the Welsh Government, following today’s Cabinet reshuffle (Friday, November 3), which sees Lesley Griffiths continuing in her role as Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, with the addition of a deputy, Hannah Blythyn as Minister for Environment.

Responding to the news, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We welcome the continuity of keeping Lesley Griffiths as our Cabinet Secretary. Our working relationship has been a positive one and we look forward to continue working with her.

“With issues such as climate change and water management dominating agendas such as those listed in the Well-being of Future Generations Act, we are pleased to see Mrs Griffiths will be able to continue to fight for the interests of our rural communities – communities for which agriculture is a cornerstone.

“We are also pleased to see that Hannah Blythyn has joined the Cabinet. The addition of a new Minister recognises the complexity of the portfolio and we look forward to working with Hannah in the context of her remit.

“We met with Lesley Griffiths last week and will now seek a meeting with Hannah Blythyn at the earliest opportunity, to discuss those issues which are of concern to farmers and have an impact on all aspects of her portfolio.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales Meirionnydd branch has donated the Chair for the County YFC Eisteddfod, which is to be held at Ysgol Y Gader, Dolgellau on Saturday November 4.

The Chair has been designed and crafted by young farmer Aled Davies of Cae Du, Rhoslefain, near Tywyn, whose family have a strong association with the FUW.

He was commissioned by the county branch to carry out the work in the Spring of 2017 and has produced several Eisteddfodau Chairs in the past. He has also designed and created several lecterns for local schools in the area.

After leaving secondary school, Aled attended Glynllifon Agricultural College and thereafter completed a two year carpentry course at Coleg Aberteifi.

He now works the majority of the time on an arable farm near Cambridge, whilst also doing contracting work at home and assisting on the beef and sheep family farm.

FUW Meirionnydd CEO Huw Jones said: “The County branch is very pleased of this opportunity to provide the sponsorship and is also very grateful to the Penllyn and Edeyrnion ladies’ section of the Union for their generous donation to this sponsorship. The winner will be announced at approximately 8pm on Saturday evening.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has today announced its support for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and The Farming Community Network (FCN) as its next Presidential charitable causes.

Making the announcement, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We discussed our next Presidential charity with members and staff of the Union across Wales and two causes stood out above everything else.

“Dementia is a growing health problem - 1 in 6 people over the age of 80 have dementia, and there are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK.

“With an anticipated increase in the number of cases of 156 per cent between now and 2051, it equates to two million people, and the burden will fall on rural areas where there are significantly higher proportions of elderly people. So this not something that we can ignore and more research is desperately needed.