Taking Meirionnydd’s agriculture, food and rural economy to the heart of the corridors of power in Westminster will be the aim of a Farmers' Union of Wales-organised function next Thursday October 31.

Between 11.30am and 2.30pm "Meirionnydd Day" will take place at the Jubilee Room of the Commons. It will be an opportunity to learn more about what Meirionnydd has to offer, with local food and drink and local businesses in attendance.

This is the first time ever the FUW Meirionnydd county branch has arranged such an event with close assistance and co-operation of Meirionnydd Dwyfor MP Elfyn Llwyd.

FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones said: "The branch is indebted to Mr Llwyd and his staff, both in Meirionnydd and London, in working with us on this project.

"It is widely recognised that Elfyn Llwyd is a strong and loyal supporter of agriculture, food and the rural economy and his commitment and enthusiasm with this function further proves that.

"He has always been available to assist the farming community and has close associations with the FUW. He has attended countless meetings, farm visits and other functions with the FUW over the years, as well as assisting individual members when the need arises."

An important part of the function will be a display of images of Meirionnydd farming families by the renowned photographer Chris Clunn and his book "Meirionnydd", published in September 2011, will also be on display and handed to all MPs and House of Lords peers attending the function.

Mr Clunn spent about three years taking photographs of FUW members in Meirionnydd, culminating in the publication of his book which was launched at a prestigious function in the Red Lion, Dinas Mawddwy.

A range of local Welsh food and drink will be shown by staff of EUROSPAR, Dolgellau. The store, opened in September 2009, is owned and managed by former Wales the True Taste Champion Conrad Davies and is one of four EUROSPAR stores in North Wales.

They specialise in sourcing from 70 suppliers within a 50-mile radius, and cover a multitude of product categories. "The business certainly needs to be congratulated on giving priority to local food," said Mr Jones.

Another local product - Cerist Water - extracted and bottled at the source of the ancient spring at Llawr Cae, Dinas Mawddwy, will also be on display.

"This is water of superb quality and purity well known for its low mineral content and suitable for low sodium diets," said Mr Jones. "It is on sale at retail stores throughout North Wales and is conveniently available for retailers, restaurateurs and hoteliers."

Meirionnydd Day will also draw attention to an exciting new development in respect of Gwin Dylanwad Wine, a wine importing business wholesaling and retailing in North Wales.

"This venture has involved the purchase of a former Threshers site in Dolgellau currently undergoing renovation and restoration. It will be opened next Spring as a wine tasting house and cafe bar run as a unique wine experience in Wales" said Mr Jones.

Welsh jewellery designer Mari Eluned will be present at the event. "Mari is a unique example of someone who has established a successful business using natural materials.

"She has set up her own workshop at Mallwyd, near Dinas Mawddwy, where natural materials are combined with precious metal and transformed into delicate, tactile jewellery inspired by nature, agriculture and Mari’s Welsh roots.

"Representatives will also be present from the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales in Meirionnydd, an organisation which aims to conserve and enhance the landscape and quality of life in communities in rural Wales."

Snowdonia National Park, the largest National Park in Wales, will exhibit what the Park means to most people and what it has to offer.

They will give prominence to Yr Ysgwrn, a traditional Welsh farmhouse and grade II listed building and the 163-acre hill farm which came to international recognition in 1917 as the home of the poet Ellis Humphrey Evans, better known by his bardic name Hedd Wyn.

Yr Ysgwrn and it contents are owned and managed by Snowdonia National Park Authority.

Representatives of Gwynedd Council will be present to give an overview of the area, its people and the opportunities for economic development.

There will be a prominent area given over to Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales) - the organisation responsible for the development, promotion and marketing of Welsh red meat.

The organisation works with all sectors of the Welsh red meat industry - from the farmers through to the retailers, to develop the industry itself and develop profitable markets for Welsh Lamb, Welsh Beef and pork from Wales

There will also be a display by the British Wool Marketing Board - the farmer-run organisation established in 1950 to operate a central marketing system for UK fleece wool, with the aim of achieving the best possible net return for producers.

"It is the only organisation in the world that collects, grades, sells and promotes fleece wool and the only remaining agricultural commodity board in the UK," said Mr Jones.

Products from Baavet Cyf (Ltd), the pure wool duvet and pillows company, of Harlech, will also be on display. This enterprise is a farm diversification scheme which began in 2009 when wool prices were at an all time low.

“They have doubled turnover year on year, selling mainly on the internet, and now employ five full-time local people and four part-time plus six ancillary people in their direct sales teams. They use UK wool which comes mainly from Wales,” Mr Jones added.

[caption id="attachment_2633" align="aligncenter" width="201"] Meirionnydd Dwyfor MP Elfyn Llwyd[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2634" align="aligncenter" width="787"] Gwilym Edwards; Bryn Celyn[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2635" align="aligncenter" width="787"] Robert Wyn Evans; Sylfaen[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2636" align="aligncenter" width="787"] Wynn Griffiths; Nant Yr Henfaes[/caption]

Shadow environment and countryside minister Antoinette Sandbach made a fact-finding visit today (Friday October 18) to a Meirionnydd farming family that has made tremendous efforts over recent years to save costs and add to the farm income by installing renewable energy.

Farmers' Union of Wales members David and Richard Williams farm in partnership with their father Glyn Williams at Tyfos, Llandrillo, near Corwen - a farming enterprise extending to over 1,000 acres of land in the Dee Valley and in the Berwyn Mountains.

In addition, they are tenants on a hill farm at Llangwm and have additional land at Wrexham for over wintering and summer grazing.

Stocking consists of Limousin Cross suckler cows and Texel x Lleyn ewes with all home bred replacements kept and reared. Stock is sold locally in the fat and store markets.

The family has taken an interest in agri-environment schemes and all their land has been in the Tir Goal scheme since 2003. They are currently considering whether to enter the Glastir scheme, a subject likely to be discussed at the farm visit.

The Williams family moved to Tyfos over 100 years ago and Richard and David are the fourth generation at the farm. Over the years there has been a substantial expansion of the enterprise which included the purchase of nearby Branas Isaf Farm in 1992.

"It is a modern and hugely successful farming enterprise which also employs two farm workers and contractors for occasional work such as shearing," said FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones.

"The business partnership is extremely keen to reinvest in the farm enterprise by diversifying into renewable energy and this has already involved taking benefit from solar panels and a small 30 Kwh hydro scheme in 2011.

"They have taken a keen interest in renewables and see this as an ideal opportunity for family farms. In recent months they have installed a biomass boiler on the farmyard which has now been running for over a month.                                                                                                                            

"This represents a huge saving on their own energy and is expected to produce 200,000 Kw a year of heat, for which they will be paid under the Government Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme.

“As there is plenty of wood on the farm itself from the 150-acre woodland, the family sees this to be an extremely efficient way of generating heat."

Other enterprises include a 4Kw domestic solar panel installation on one of the farm houses which provides additional income. The family also has an interest in wind farm schemes and is also considering anaerobic digestion.

They are a family constantly looking for new ideas and ventures to boost income.

Richard said: “Not only do these schemes reduce business costs and boost our own income but we are able to offer additional work to a range of local contractors such as electricians, plumbers, plant operators, forestry workers and builders.

"The shadow minister’s visit to Tyfos farm will be an opportunity to discuss our business enterprise and an opportunity to consider any concerns about the future direction of the industry."

North Wales AM Ms Sandbach said: “I found my visit to Tyfos most interesting. The Williams family are to be congratulated on the way they are moving their business forward with techniques that harness the power of our natural resources, and also offer work for local contractors.

“Renewable energy projects are a way for farmers to manage their bills, and bring in extra income, so they can remain competitive in an international market.

“Welsh produce is among the best in the world but it has to be priced to match consumer demands. I was also most interested in the issues that the Williams family raised about other problems that the industry is presently facing.”

[caption id="attachment_2627" align="aligncenter" width="300"] BIOMASS: FUW president Emyr Jones, Richard Williams and his brother David with Antoinette Sandbach in the biomass boiler room.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2628" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FACT-FINDING: Richard Williams tells Antoinette Sandbach about his farming enterprise[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2629" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FARM VISIT: Farmer Richard Williams welcomes Antoinette Sandbach to his farm[/caption]

Farmers were advised today to check if they need a certificate of professional competence to drive heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) following new advice from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

Farmers' Union of Wales policy officer Andrew Gurney said it appears advice previously provided by the DSA, that farmers may be exempt, has now changed.

"The DSA's current advice is that any driving activity using a HGV (a vehicle which requires a C1/C1+E or C/C+E driving license category) that directly or indirectly results in a profit being made will mean the driver needs to obtain, and hold, a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) before the deadline of 10th September 2014.

"Whilst there isn’t any case law in respect of Driver CPC, the DSA have provided a number of examples on their website - https://www.gov.uk/driver-cpc-exemptions-examples - which outlines when they believe drivers will need to hold a CPC.

"The DSA also believes that these are the lines that would be adopted by the courts should a case be brought before them for not holding a CPC when one should have been held."

Relevant examples on the DSA website of the need to hold a CPC that principally apply to the farming sector are:

• Driver E

Driver E is a farmer.  On an average of once a month, he transports some of his livestock to a local cattle market for auction.  He needs to have Driver CPC when doing this, as he is not carrying materials or equipment for his use in the course of his work - he is carrying cattle intended for sale.

• Driver F

Driver F is a farmer.  Twice a month he drives a lorry on public roads around his farm, repairing fences. The vehicle carries the tools and materials he needs to make these repairs. He doesn’t need to have Driver CPC because he is carrying materials to be used in the course of repairing fences.

• Driver H

Driver H is a farm labourer.  His normal duties include transporting livestock and crops around the farm in a lorry. He needs to have Driver CPC when driving on public roads while doing this as he is carrying goods intended for sale, as opposed to materials or equipment.

Farming Connect has confirmed that farmers are able to undertake the CPC training through the Skills Development Programme, therefore farmers can receive 80 per cent funding.

"Farming Connect have a number of approved training providers across Wales but farmers are reminded that they must receive funding approval in advance of attending a training course."

The Farmers' Union of Wales today reminded farmers the deadline for appeals over the provisional map of open access to mountain, moor, heath, downland and registered common land in Wales runs out in three weeks time.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) published the provisional map on August 7. It identifies the proposed areas where people will have a right of access to the Welsh countryside.

It is the first time the map has been reviewed since it was first introduced nearly 10 years ago and it takes into account feedback NRW received from a consultation on the draft map last year.

It includes some new areas of access land and other places where boundaries have been changed although it covers roughly the same amount of land as previously.

FUW land use and parliamentary committee chairman Gavin Williams said it was extremely important for farmers and landowners to take a good look at the draft maps in case any of the new areas are included on their land.

If they're not satisfied, they can appeal against what’s in the map by contacting the Planning Inspectorate at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The new maps can be seen at www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk and appeals must be lodged before November 7 this year.

The appeals process ends on May 9 next year and the All Wales conclusive map will be issued on September 24 2014.

First Milk's incoming chairman Sir Jim Paice MP predicted a great future for UK dairy producers with excellent export potential when he addressed the Farmers' Union of Wales reception during Welsh Dairy Show on Monday night (October 14).

Sir Jim said First Milk had opened an office in Hong Kong and if the population there increased its dairy consumption by just 100g a year it would equate to an annual total of 1.3 million tons.

He said Great Britain is one of the main producers of choice that could take the full benefits of the potential increase of exports.

"Britain also produces a greater variety of cheese than other countries including France - a fact I believe is not known by many," he added.

Answering a question from a member of the audience of over 100, Sir Jim said he was extremely disappointed by the Westminster Government’s decision to remove ministerial rank from the Defra farming role following the recent sacking of farming minister David Heath after holding the position for only a year.

He said the decision raised questions about the Government’s commitment to food and farming.

Before the reception Sir James paid a visit to the dairy farm of FUW members Dyfrig and Elizabeth Davies (trading as Penycoed Farm Ltd), at Penycoed Farm, Llangynin Road, St Clears, near Carmarthen.

Mr and Mrs Davies have a traditional farm with a flying herd of 300 cattle, calves being sold whilst purchasing maiden heifers between 15 and 30 months, and over the past few years they have successfully diversified by developing a leisure complex known as Llety Cynin (www.lletycynin.co.uk).

They have also invested in creating an under-pass connecting two separate parcels of land, thus avoiding the need for stock to cross a busy road.

The future of family farmers and bovine TB issues were the main topics for discussion during the farm visit.

[caption id="attachment_2619" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FARM VISIT: From left, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart, farmer Dyfrig Davies and Sir Jim.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2620" align="aligncenter" width="300"] TIME FOR A CUPPA: From left, Dyfrig Davies, Sir Jim and FUW president Emyr Jones[/caption]

Farmers' Union of Wales Carmarthenshire county executive officer Meinir Bartlett has received this year's FUW/United Counties Agricultural & Hunters Society award for outstanding service to agriculture in Carmarthenshire.

Mrs Bartlett, who commenced her career in agriculture as a switchboard operator/receptionist with the then Milk Marketing Board (MMB) in Llanelli over 40 years ago, has worked at the FUW's Carmarthen office for the past 17 years.

While employed by the MMB she oversaw the introduction of the automatic recording of milk litres collected from individual farms throughout South Wales.

After the MMB ceased to exist in October 1994 she worked for its successor body, First Milk, until October 1995 when the office in Llanelli closed.

She then worked for West Wales TEC until April 1996 when she joined the FUW as administrative assistant. She was promoted to senior administrative assistant during February 2001 and to county executive officer in November 2006.

FUW president Emyr Jones said: "Mrs Bartlett has been an outstanding success in her role as county executive officer and has made a most significant contribution to agriculture in Carmarthenshire.

"She attends many ‘outside’ meetings on behalf of the industry, not just on behalf of the FUW, and she is an excellent ambassador and spokesman for agriculture."

For many years, Mrs Bartlett has organised a number of important agricultural events in the county including the FUW/HSBC Bank plc eve of the Welsh Dairy Show function and award for outstanding service to the Welsh dairy industry.

She also organised a dinner at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, in 2010 which raised £2,660 for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).

[caption id="attachment_2616" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Meinir Bartlett receiving the award from FUW president Emyr Jones during yesterday’s Welsh Dairy Show.[/caption]