As the FUW approaches its 60^th anniversary we look back on a year in which falls in farmgate prices and income from the CAP has had a severe impact on farm incomes, but the exceptionally kind weather at least means we are going into 2015 with far more fodder than in previous years.

2014 is a year in which significant announcements have been made – both in terms of the union’s structure, with the creation of FUW Insurance Services Limited and other changes, and for Wales’ agriculture industry, with numerous key announcements, not least the appointment of Rebecca Evans as Deputy Minister for farming and food in July.

The Deputy Minister’s appointment marked a positive turning point in terms of recognition of the need for government and the FUW to work together for the good of the industry, while accepting that some differences of opinion will always exist. Whatever those differences are, or the challenges we face due to the impact of factors which are outside our control, I believe we are starting 2015 in a far stronger position because of the mutual respect between government and industry and the commitment to work together.

Such joined up thinking and working is going to be essential over the coming weeks and months, as we enter a period of major change and uncertainty: change due to the introduction of various rules relating to the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and uncertainty following the recent abolition of the 400 metre moorland line following a successful judicial review.

The new CAP rules represent a massive escalation in the administrative burden for farmers and government departments alike, despite the previous European Commissioner’s commitment to simplified rules, and these will have some serious repercussions for many Welsh farmers.

The FUW has already highlighted major concerns to the new Commissioner, former Irish Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan, and we will no doubt have the opportunity to raise concerns face-to-face when we welcome the Commissioner to the 2015 Royal Welsh Show.

Meanwhile, it is essential that farmers familiarise themselves with the new rules in order to minimise the risk of financial losses: 2015 is a reference year for the establishment of Basic Payment Scheme entitlements, so any errors or breaches – for example where a claimant cannot demonstrate sufficient management control of land taken on or where grazing is rented out – could result in permanent annual losses.

Anyone who needs guidance on such matters should contact their local FUW office, where they will receive a warm welcome and, if they are lucky, they may find a few mince pies left over!

Meanwhile, we look forward to a year in which the FUW celebrates sixty years of protecting the interests of members, and continues to deliver invaluable one-to-one services through its County Offices, which have secured more than half a billion pounds for members over the past decade alone.

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous 2015.

[caption id="attachment_3887" align="aligncenter" width="300"] QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: From left, Chris Lewis, Rhian Nowell-Phillips and Darren Williams[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3888" align="aligncenter" width="300"] PACKED MEETING[/caption]

More than 80 younger Gwent farmers turned up to a packed meeting organised by the county branch of the FUW recently to help explain the various schemes and grants available to assist farmers under 40.

During the meeting at the King of Prussia public house in Abergavenny farm liaison officers Steve Meredith and Jane Walters gave a presentation on the Young Entrant Support Scheme and the young farmer top-up under the new Basic Payment Scheme.

They also explained the requirements for applying to the National Reserve under the New Entrant, Young Farmer and Proof of Production criteria.

Following the presentation, FUW county chairman Chris Lewis conducted a question and answer session with the union’s voice for younger farmers committee chairman Darren Williams and deputy agricultural policy director Rhian Nowell-Phillips.

FUW county executive officer Glyn Davies said a brief questionnaire completed by the attendees highlighted the need for such meetings, with the comments proving the enthusiasm that exists amongst the younger farmers of Gwent.

The intention is to hold a further meeting specifically for this group of members in February, he added.

“It was extremely pleasing to see such a fantastic turn-out for this meeting which highlights the need to involve the future farmers of the county in the work of the union," said Mr Davies.

"These young farmers will be the custodians of our industry for many years to come and it is vital that they are involved in shaping the industry in order to meet the huge challenge of feeding a growing population whilst complying with the myriad of rules and regulations which exist.”

Welsh Government finance and business minister Jane Hutt’s announcement that Aberystwyth University’s  Innovation and Enterprise Campus (AIEC) will be the first multi-million pound project to receive substantial backing through the new £2 billion EU funding programme 2014-2020 was welcomed today by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

“We were pleased to hear that £20m of EU investment will help develop the campus. This is a very worthwhile project and we are pleased to see money from the European Regional Development Fund (RDP) being spent in this way,” said FUW president Emyr Jones.

“Having a new state-of-the-art, internationally recognised facility right on our door step is going to attract further research funding so that companies and researchers can undertake collaborative research projects to boost the bio-economy.

“It is very encouraging to know that the research is predicted to generate innovative new products, services and spin-out companies in sustainable food, health, biotechnology and renewable energy sectors.

“The project at Gogerddan, with an estimated value of more than £35m, will benefit our economy here in Wales and especially locally to Aberystwyth greatly. We must congratulate the University on securing the funding and we hope to see it drive a thriving and prosperous economy forward, boost businesses, increase renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as support infrastructure, skills and help people into work,” added Mr Jones.

[caption id="attachment_3738" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Llew Rees (left) and FUW Ceredigion chairman Aled Rees.[/caption]

A £500 top-up to the Farmers’ Union of Wales Somerset floods appeal fund has been handed over by Gamallt Concrete Ltd, Cardigan.

Llew Rees, the owner of Gamallt Concrete, kindly agreed to donate a percentage from every order placed throughout March to the FUW’s appeal to help flood affected farmers in Somerset.

Mr Rees, a farmer in Brynberian, was one of the Ceredigion farmers to donate silage bales for the first lorry load sent to farmers in Somerset.

He said: “Gamallt Concrete is a rural business at the heart of the countryside and I could see how the devastation in Somerset would have a long term effect on farmers and rural businesses.

“I wanted to help as much as I could, because I know the rural community has and always will support each other.”

The FUW fund has raised a total of £2,255 for the Addington Fund which was instrumental in providing emergency assistance for farmers in Somerset.

[caption id="attachment_3531" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] STAFF AWARD: In January 2012 Mr Jones received the union’s highest insurance book growth award for a book that grew by 32 per cent. He is pictured with FUW president Emyr Jones (left) and deputy president Glyn Roberts[/caption]

ONE of the most familiar Farmers' Union of Wales faces Dei Charles Jones has retired after serving as an area officer in Meirionnydd for over 30 years.

He first began working for the union in July 1981. "It was a time when we didn’t have mobile phones or computers - how times have changed in 33 years," he said.

Recalling his early days with the union, he said: "When I went to collect my first three insurance renewals two of them cancelled their policies.

"But I had received a word of advice from an FUW stalwart when I was appointed who said you will lose policies but remember never close the gate on them by your response. They came back in a couple of years."

Mr Jones, who lives at Llanuwchllyn, near Bala, said it was always pleasing to be able to help members with their problems and there were plenty of them, from milk quota appeals to IACS which became the Single Farm Payment Scheme application forms.

"Another problem that arose was the Chernobyl nuclear fallout disaster and I remember an official of the Welsh Office telling farmers at an open meeting in Coleg Meirion to stop moaning as it would be over in six weeks. My area was still affected 26 years on."

Mr Jones also relished being given the responsibility of helping FUW life member Meurig Voyle with the caretaker/security of the union's pavilion during Royal Welsh Show week.

"That gave me great pleasure as I was meeting members from all over Wales and they became faces which I knew and yearly they would greet me as if they were close friends. It's been an honour to serve the union and its members for the past 33 years."

FUW Insurance Services managing director Mark Roberts said: “Dei has disproved the saying that ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’. 

“I have been surprised at how he has embraced FUW Insurance Services’ new technology and I believe he was the first area officer to arrange a policy by electronic means rather than using a traditional proposal form and cover note. He even uses some of the computer systems that our youngest area officers find challenging.

“Dei will be replaced by local boy Emyr Evans, who returns to Frongain, Bala, from Dublin. Emyr realises that he has big boots to fill but is up for the challenge.

“Dei is always cheerful and willing to help and I will miss our little chats but as I sit in the same row as him in Wrexham Football Club’s Racecourse Ground, I know that I will continue to see him!

“I wish Dei a long and happy retirement.”

A new and fresher-looking union website was launched today (Tuesday December 2) by the Farmers' Union of Wales.

The site, which features improved search facilities and a new comprehensive archive for press releases and policy documents, has been redeveloped to make it more user-friendly.

"We are very happy to launch this re-vamped site during the 25th Royal Welsh Winter Fair and hope our members will find it easier to use,” said FUW president Emyr Jones.

“A cleaner look and more user-friendly structure, as well as the option to view the site through the medium of Welsh, has been achieved by working with a dedicated team over the past few years and we thank all of our staff who have helped in getting this new site online.

"The links to all of our social media channels and the Y Tir/Welsh Farmer website are clearly visible and we hope that users will find it easier to contact us through the relevant contact forms on each section of the website.

"A members only area will be added shortly as well and we look forward to working with Sproutee, who have been working so hard on this new site, to get this section up and running."