The Farmers' Union of Wales has expressed concern about uncertainties around support for agriculture in the years leading up to Brexit and beyond.

"We were very pleased to hear of early commitments from the Treasury to support agriculture," said Glyn Roberts, the Union's President.

"However, we are worried about the detail to support the statements. For example, a commitment to 2020 for CAP Pillar 1 funding could be read as March 2020 as part of the financial year 2019/20 or it could mean to the end of the financial year almost 12 months later.

“The announcement of CAP pillar 2 support until possibly 2022, which was made by the Chancellor at the Conservative Party Conference, whilst welcome, is also adding to the confusion. Such ambiguity is not welcome and does not help individuals plan their businesses. Careful and precise statements are needed now more than ever,” added Mr Roberts.

"Furthermore I am deeply concerned about the impact that a ‘hard-Brexit’ might have on agriculture.  If we do not have markets established on leaving the EU our income sources will be severely depleted.  And with some UK Ministers clearly advocating that a hard exit is the right answer, we need to ensure that there are sound and sustainable mechanisms in place to provide a soft landing for the farmers of Wales.  We cannot afford to lose markets with no additional support,” he said.

Irrespective of hard or soft exit though, the Union is also concerned about the need for longer-term transition to new regimes.

"There are many that see membership of the EU with its pros and cons as a binary event either "In" or "Out".  We must have a transition to new regimes of policy and funding to ensure that we reduce the risks to farmers in Wales," said Mr Roberts.

[caption id="attachment_7049" align="alignleft" width="300"] Liz Saville Roberts MP, Simon Thomas AM, Tegwyn Jones Chairman FWAG Cymru, Dewi Davies Independent Glastir Consultant, Euros Puw Meirionnydd FUW Chairman, Wyn Jones Blaen Cwm and daughter Manon[/caption]

The Meirionnydd branch of Farmers’ Union of Wales, in conjunction with FWAG Cymru, hosted a farm visit on Monday, October 3, to showcase the way in which the Glastir scheme and use of a biomass boiler can benefit a farm business.

The event was hosted by 10th generation farming family Wyn and Laura Jones at Blaen Cwm farm, Cynllwyd Llanuwchllyn and provided visitors with the opportunity to see the land and stock, the various elements of the Glastir scheme, and the Biomass scheme.

Blaen Cwm is situated about 5 miles from the village of Llanuwchllyn near Bala and sits at approximately 1000 feet above sea level, with much of the land reaching far beyond 2000 feet.  The farm has been in the Glastir Entry scheme since 2014 and in the Advanced scheme since 2015.

[caption id="attachment_7052" align="alignright" width="300"] Arwyn Jones demonstrates the use of the wood mizer mobile saw bench[/caption]

The family farm extends to 640 acres, being mostly mountain land with 50 acres of lower land, and 25 acres are kept to produce silage every year. Additionally they farm 650 acres at Llanymawddwy and a 300 acre farm near Llawryglyn at Llanidloes.

Guests enjoyed a tour of the farm as Glenda Thomas of FWAG Cymru and Dewi Davies Independent Glastir Consultant gave a detailed explanation of various elements of the Glastir scheme and Greame Raine of ‘Raine or Shine’ Renewable Energy specialists gave a presentation on the Biomass scheme. In addition Robin Roberts gave a demonstration of his hedge laying skills.

[caption id="attachment_7056" align="alignleft" width="300"] Students from Ysgol y Berwyn, Y Bala with their Lecturer John Thomas who are are following a BTEC level 3 course in Agriculture joined the farm visit[/caption]

A guest speaker on the day was Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Mid and West AM Simon Thomas, who said: “Farmers are custodians of the countryside and the sustainability of agriculture is also reliant on the effective management and protection of water, soil and biodiversity. Plaid Cymru will work with the industry and others to develop innovative ways in which RDP funded agri-environment measures such as Glastir can help deliver public benefits and look at ways in which to encourage greater co-working between farmers and conservation bodies to deliver practical, realistic and positive benefits to environmental management in Wales.

“While the Party of Wales did not support leaving the EU, we have moved quickly to respond to referendum by consulting on future policies for rural Wales. This farm visit was an important part of the consultation to listen to the views of the farming sector about the way forward to achieve the best possible outcome for rural communities across Wales.”

Local MP Liz Saville Roberts also attended the visit and added: “I was very pleased to attend this farm visit, which was in a really fascinating location. It is a great example of a young farmer making the best of all opportunities, and being positive in the face of the inevitable challenges ahead with Brexit. It was good to see his entrepreneurial spirit, and that he is looking into the long term with new initiatives, which must be supported. I wish him all the best with his enterprise for the future.”

[caption id="attachment_7050" align="alignright" width="150"] Simon Thomas AM Plaid Cymru spokesperson on Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs at the Welsh Assembly speaking at Blaen Cwm farm[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_7051" align="alignleft" width="150"] Liz Saville Roberts Meirionnydd Dwyfor MP speaking at Blaen Cwm farm[/caption]

Huw Jones, the Union’s County Executive Officer in Meirionnydd said: “ Wyn is an enthusiastic and hardworking farmer, always looking for the next idea or opportunity to increase the farm's income. It was interesting to see how the farm business has taken advantage of agri-environment schemes over recent years, and how farming and conservation go hand in hand here.

“Wyn Jones showed us the wood chipper in progress and his father Arwyn Jones demonstrated the use of his mobile saw bench - the saw mill business they run is great, especially as they have the facilities to dry the timber as well. They established the Biomass scheme in 2014 and the energy produced provides heat for 2 domestic properties and the agricultural shed.

“I would like to thank the family for hosting this informative visit and hope that those who attended enjoyed the day as much I did. I would also like to thank the pupils from Ysgol y Berwyn, Y Bala studying  BTEC level 3 course in Agriculture, who attended with their Lecturer John Thomas.”

[caption id="attachment_7054" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Glenda Thomas of FWAG Cymru and Dewi Davies Independent Glastir Consultant explaining various elements of the Glastir scheme[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is reminding farmers across Wales to be vigilant following the report of stolen cattle worth £16,000 in the Carmarthen area.

Union member Mr and Mrs T Williams of Bronallt Farm, Llangadog, reported the theft of a 4 month old calf, 3 in calf heifers and 11 suckler cows to Dyfed Powys Police on Friday, September 30.

David Waters, the FUW County Executive Officer in Carmarthen, said: “I urge all farmers to take note of anything suspicious they may see happening in the countryside and report it to their local rural crime officer immediately. As the days get shorter this time of year, some may fancy their chances and steal livestock and farm machinery, which has devastating consequences for our farm businesses and is of course also extremely stressful for the families.”

Mr Waters stressed that farmers should enrol in the Farm Watch Scheme and the OWL system (http://www.owl.co.uk/index.htm ), under which any reports of suspicious vehicles or persons can be reported and forwarded to other members of Farm Watch.

“It is only by uniting and co-operating that the whole farming community can combat such farm thefts. Anyone who has information about the theft of Mr Williams cattle should contact PC Gareth Thomas (PC711), providing case number AA0/0711/29/09/2016/01/C as a reference.”

The Welsh Government is currently consulting on the four yearly review of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) in Wales and the Farmers’ Union of Wales is urging its members to respond, given the financial implications imposed on those who live in designated areas .

As stipulated in the EC Nitrates Directive, Defra, the Welsh Government, and Natural Resources Wales, have undertaken a review of the existing NVZ areas in Wales, and are  assessing if any new areas need to be designated.  The Union, has been involved in the review and has made its concerns clear over the past months, but stresses that all farmers need to make their voice heard through the consultation.

FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright, who has been representing the Union in the review process, said: ‘‘The FUW has been involved in the NVZ review and has made successful representations on several designations, which resulted in their removal from the discrete areas option of the consultation.

“However, the number of proposed new designations remain a concern and the FUW continues to reiterate the operational and financial impacts those designations would have upon farms that reside within an NVZ area.  Given such costs, there must be full justification for any proposed increases in designation.”

Two options outlined in the consultation include the continuation of the discrete approach to designation or the designation of the whole of Wales as a NVZ. A continuation of the discrete approach would see an increase in the amount of NVZ designations in Wales rise from 2.4% to 8%. This would mean significant changes to NVZ designation in counties such as Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen and Anglesey.

“The FUW remains resolutely against the option to apply the action programme throughout the whole of Wales as this would require all landowners to comply with the NVZ action programme measures.

“There is a distinct lack of evidence for a whole territory approach and the difficulties and costs associated with regulatory compliance for farms whose land does not drain into nitrate polluted waters, makes this option both unwarranted and unreasonably excessive,” added Dr Wright.

There are a number of proposals put forward in this consultation which will seriously impact farmers in Wales and the FUW is therefore urging members to respond to this consultation through the Union’s successful county office structure in order to ensure that farmers’ views are thoroughly represented.

[caption id="attachment_7025" align="alignleft" width="300"] Ysgol Henry Richard Year 10 and 11 Agriculture pupils join FUW Ceredigion County Executive Officer Mared Rand Jones and FUW Press Officer Anne Birkett in the World School Milk Day[/caption]

The Ceredigion branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales today provided free milk drinks to children at Ysgol Henry Richard, Tregaron, Ceredigion in celebration of the 17th World School Milk Day.

The Union and pupils joined countries around the world highlight the health benefits of school milk programmes and over 170 pupils enjoyed a cup of Welsh Milk in their break time.

FUW Ceredigion County Executive Officer Mared Rand Jones said: “It’s very important that we as an industry go to schools to promote agriculture and educate the next generation about how their food is produced.

"Milk and dairy products have an important part to play in our daily diet as they provide an important source of protein and calcium and contain essential vitamins and minerals, all of which are needed for a balanced diet.

“Indeed, the exclusion of dairy products from the ‘sugar tax’ demonstrates the role such products play in a healthy diet.”

[caption id="attachment_7026" align="alignright" width="225"] Ysgol Henry Richard Year 8 pupils Tirion Lloyd and Bonnie Woodcock are part of the World School Milk Day[/caption]

With an increasing amount of research into milk as a recovery and re-hydration aid, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting milk may be just as effective in these areas as some sports or other energy drinks.

“Milk can definitely help pupils stay hydrated and keep their energy levels up in class and it is a much healthier option than some of the sugary drinks available. I would like to thank Ysgol Henry Richard head teacher Dorian Pugh and all the staff for their support today and look forward to work with the school in educating pupils about farming matters and where their food comes from,” added Mared Rand Jones.

[caption id="attachment_7027" align="alignleft" width="300"] Ysgol Henry Richard head teacher Dorian Pugh and FUW Ceredigion County Executive Officer Mared Rand Jones are highlighting that #FarmingMatters on World School Milk day[/caption]

Ysgol Henry Richard head teacher Dorian Pugh commented: “As a school, we are very happy to be able to work with the FUW in order to promote World School Milk Day. At Ysgol Henry Richard we understand the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and drinking milk and the pupils really enjoyed meeting Mared and Anne from the FUW and having a glass of milk. We look forward to working with the FUW in the future.”

[caption id="attachment_7021" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW Ceredigion County Chairman Anwen Hughes welcomes Welsh Government Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee delegates to her farm Bryngido[/caption]

In a bid to highlight just how much #FarmingMatters to the wider rural economy, the Farmers’ Union of Wales, alongside local businesses, met the National Assembly for Wales Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee at a Ceredigion farm, just outside of New Quay.

Putting the spotlight firmly on the wider rural economy and to showcase some of the struggles farmers face, FUW Ceredigion County Chairman Anwen Hughes opened the gates to her home farm Bryngido.

Here Anwen Hughes farms around 138 acres, of which 99 acres are owned, 22.5 acres are on a lifetime farm tenancy and a further 17 acres are rented.

She keeps 100 pedigree Lleyn sheep, 30 purebred Highland sheep and 300 cross bred Lleyn and Highland ewes and has been farming since 1995.

Last year the farm business contributed over £30,000 to the local economy helping to sustain feed merchants, vets and contractors who work in Ceredigion.

Opening the visit was FUW President Glyn Roberts, who said: “When we look at our Welsh countryside and speak to the myriad of people up and down the country, everyone will say that their area is the most beautiful, and that’s because beauty is in the eye of the beholder. All of us will say so, not only in terms of the landscape, the sights, sounds and tranquillity, but also the culture of the people, which in places is deep-rooted in farming and all the industries which surround it.

“With that in mind of course, what we are talking about extends far beyond these romantic ideas; agriculture in communities is not only a backbone for the Welsh language – sometimes, sadly, a last haven - but also provides employment for a vast number of people, both directly, and through services provided by a host of businesses.

“And of course, farmers provide the one commodity besides water that people must have to live – namely food. In Wales and the UK, we are blessed with the products of remarkably successful policies aimed at producing constant supplies of cheap food.”

Mr Roberts added that we have been spoiled by those supplies, to the extent that we now take food for granted, something most of the world’s population do not have the luxury of doing, with some even suggesting that we should rely more on other countries for this most essential commodity.

The Union President highlighted that our ecosystems exist not despite farming, but because of farming, and while many mistakes have been made over the years, and some continue to be made, anything that threatens the viability of agriculture also threatens our ecosystems, our economy, and the beauty which attracts so many visitors to Wales each year.

Committee delegates then heard about some of the struggles Anwen Hughes faces in the current climate, as she said: “I would love for my husband and son to work with me on the farm but there is just not enough money coming in from the farm business to sustain all the wages. Last year was a challenging year. I would also love to add a herd of cattle as a second line of income to the farm, but there is so much red tape and bureaucracy around, not to mention the threat of bovine TB, that it would be of no financial benefit to our business. It is also very expensive to start such a venture up, and the business doesn’t generate that spare cash to invest, which is very frustrating.  ”

Following an introduction to the farm business and a tour of the farm, Committee delegates had the opportunity to speak to more than 20 businesses who were represented on the day, including Accountant Sarah Lloyd, Barclays Bank, Mole Valley, Dunbia, Sainsburys, Awesome Pork Butchers & farm Shop, Nigel Howells Grassland Consultant, Evans Brothers Llanrhystud, Agri Advisor, Morgan & Davies auctioneers, feed merchant Dafydd WD Lewis, Gwilli Jones Lampeter, FUW Insurance Services, Kiwi Kit, Geraint Jones 4x4 Carmarthen, Lloyds Bank, Agrii and Dyfed Telecom.

Mark Thomas who represented Agrii, a national business providing agronomy advice, precision farming services and supplying crop protection, seed and fertiliser inputs to farmers across the UK, told us why farming matters to them, saying that: “We employ around 800 people across the UK and around 50 of those are actively involved in Welsh arable farming. Farming matters to me because we have 800 families and mortgages in our organisation that are dependent on the success of agriculture in Britain, but also farming forms an important part in the local environment, which keeps communities together.”

Representing the agricultural section of Lloyds bank was Wyn Hinds, who said: “Farming Matters to us because we aim to have Britain succeed and agriculture is a core part of our businesses. We are here for the long haul and we want to see agriculture surviving, thriving and being a sustainable industry in this country for many years to come.”

Rhian Rees from Y Sied Gêc, a merchant’s yard selling animal feeds, pet & equine supplies, added that: “The business was started 2 years ago to supply feed etc to local farmers and smallholders from the Siêd in Llwyncelyn, Aberaeron.

“Although I only employ casual staff at the premises, the business supports many staff indirectly, as in staff producing pet and animal feeds, office staff for administration work and drivers of local haulage companies who deliver the feed.

“Being in a very rural area, our business is entirely reliant on the Agriculture sector, and it is so important that the industry is strong, not only for the future of the family farm but for all businesses in a rural area.  The hardship that the agriculture economy is facing at the moment is affecting everyone!”

The Reverend Canon Eileen Davies, who is the Rural Affairs Advisor for the Church in Wales in the diocese of St David's and who is no stranger to running a farm herself, said: “I well and truly realise what agriculture means for the whole of the rural economy. I compare agriculture to a huge oak because there are so many branches that actually depend on agriculture. It is also vital for the wellbeing of our rural areas in ensuring that we are able to keep our young families here in the rural heart of Ceredigion and not lose them to the big cities, because we need that financial impact in our rural areas and that support. Having a rural area that is sustainable is vital for the whole of Wales.”

Dunbia’s chief livestock buyer Wyn Williams, said: “Dunbia employs 4,000 people across the UK and Ireland and approximately 800 are employed in the two sites in Wales based at Llanybydder and Felinfach.

[caption id="attachment_7022" align="alignright" width="300"] Welsh Government Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee delegates heard why #FarmingMatters to Ceredigion and Wales[/caption]

“The importance of the agriculture industry to the UK economy cannot be underestimated.  Wales has an agriculture industry which it can be rightly proud of, and which can, and is competing on an international stage.  It is important that all stakeholders work together to ensure that we grow and develop a sustainable and profitable industry for all.”

FUW Ceredigion County Executive Officer Mared Rand Jones said: “Family farms in particular are at the heart of our rural economy - as we can see here at Bryngido. Farms like these are caring for our landscape, and of course our culture and they make innumerable other contributions to the well-being of Wales and the UK. The FUW has long maintained that Welsh food production sustains tens of thousands of other businesses – from upstream businesses such as feed merchants, agricultural contractors and engineers, to downstream businesses such as hauliers, processors and retailers and it is evident that for every pound generated on farm, around 6 pounds is spent in the wider economy.”

She added saying: “Look at the Wales wide statistics - we have 14,317 sheep farms, 1,758 dairy farms, 8,613 farms on which non-dairy cattle are kept, and 1,478 pig farms.

“And all those farms, no matter how big or small, were responsible for spending an average of £1.2 billion on products supplied by local secondary and tertiary businesses (2014 figures). We must not forget that Welsh agriculture employs 60,000 people in full time, part time, and seasonal employment.”