In responding to the Welsh Government’s latest Sustainable Farming consultation, the Farmers’ Union of Wales has supported a number of proposed technical changes to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) - but is adamant that plans to move Rural Development principles and objectives away from supporting farming, rural economies and jobs are wrong.

The Sustainable Farming and our Land: Simplifying Agricultural Support consultation set out eleven technical proposals relating to the BPS, which is expected to remain in place for a number of years while a new ‘Sustainable Farming Scheme’ (SFS) is developed. 

However, a second section of the consultation proposed radical changes to the principles, mission, objectives and priorities of the Rural Development Programme (RDP).

“Around two thirds of Wales’ total BPS and RDP budget is paid to farmers through the Basic Payment Scheme, so the RDP currently accounts for about a third of the budget,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

Schemes funded through the RDP include the Glastir schemes, Farming Connect, the Timber Business Investment Scheme, the Food Business Investment Scheme and LEADER.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has reacted with anger and dismay at the House of Commons rejection to enshrine in law measures that would protect consumers and producers from sub-standard food imports.

MPs voted by 332 votes to 279 - a majority 53 - to reject the amendment to the Agricultural Bill which would have ensured food under any future trade deal would have to meet UK animal welfare and food safety rules.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “This Government sacrificed our industry at the altar, paving the way for lower-quality food to come into this country, rather than standing by their manifesto commitments. 

“We believe it was a grave error on their part to oppose the amendments in this way and once again their promises to look after our industry and protect consumers and producers alike are just empty words.”

Mr Roberts added that blocking the amendment, which would protect UK farmers and consumers from food produced to lower health, welfare and environmental standards, at a time when the importance of protecting the food security and health of the Nation was at the top of the agenda, beggars belief.

The Montgomeryshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has called plans to release beavers into an enclosure at the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve a short sighted move.

Responding to the plans, FUW Montgomeryshire County Executive Officer Emyr Wyn Davies said: “We believe that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that this animal does not pose a threat to livestock and the people living here, including bringing disease into the area. That’s just one of many concerns and we are extremely worried about this short sighted move.”

Other concerns raised by the FUW about the reintroduction of the beaver include the animals damming watercourses, which could severely impact the adjacent agriculture land; the risk of the animals escaping their enclosure and the low lying levels of the Dyfi, which are already prone to flooding through natural means - the introduction of an animal which dams watercourses by instinct is likely to exacerbate the flooding propensity for this area.

“We must also consider what happens if a landholding in close proximity to the proposed enclosure enters a Welsh Government agri-environment scheme to increase biodiversity habitats by tree planting and on a Welsh Government inspection is found to be in breach of contract because of vegetation damage by beaver activity - which organisation compensates the at loss landowner? Furthermore, will NRW have a legal obligation to monitor and clear debris entering water courses as a direct result of beavers felling timber?” Mr Emyr Wyn Davies questioned.

He added that whilst the farming community is supportive of increasing biodiversity and habitats, this must not come at the expense of people living in an area. “Let’s also not forget the ambulances getting through to Bronglais Hospital on a stretch of road next to the proposed release site that they've only just stopped flooding whenever it rains - the alternative is a 60 mile detour!”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is reminding those farmers that have Glastir contracts to check their Rural Payments Wales (RPW) accounts for notifications and offers of extensions to their contracts. 

“A letter would have been issued to all those where this is relevant in mid September giving notice, but the actual contracts for acceptance have been issued on various dates thereafter,” said FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones. 

The notifications relate to Glastir Advanced, Glastir Organic and Glastir Commons, where the contract comes to an end on 31 December 2020.   

“All those in this position should be offered an extension, and farmers  have 21 days from the date the contracts appear online to accept the offer. It is extremely important to check the content of these contracts so that they are correct, and it is imperative that this is done within the 21 days in order to avoid any risk of being unable to extend the contract,” he added. 

If any farmer wishes to obtain any advice or assistance, they can contact FUW County Offices throughout Wales.

Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) President Glyn Roberts says he expects angry reactions at a forthcoming meeting of the FUW’s livestock and hill farming committees to a National Beef Association (NBA) proposal that the definition of prime cattle should be restricted to animals below 28 months old and that a “carbon tax” should be introduced for animals slaughtered above that age.

Mr Roberts, who runs a beef and sheep farm with his daughter Beca in Ysbyty Ifan, North Wales, said: “We have received many calls from angry members since the NBA launched its proposals.

“Many highlighted the particular impact the proposal would have for traditional breeds and certain farming systems which are of particular importance to the environment.”

Mr Roberts said that while the carbon benefits of finishing animals more quickly were well known for certain farming systems, for other more traditional systems where animals are finished over a longer period such a black and white proposal did not make sense from an environmental perspective, including in relation to carbon.

“These concerns will no doubt be raised at a joint meeting of our Livestock, Wool and Marts and Hill Farming and Marginal Land Committees later this month. While I do not want to preempt the outcome of that meeting, I can guarantee that there will be some very angry reactions to the NBA’s proposals in line with those already expressed by the Scottish Beef Association,” added Mr Roberts.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales Meirionnydd branch is keeping the spotlight on local flooding issues and has taken local MP Liz Saville-Roberts on a tour of hot-spots that urgently require attention from responsible authorities and Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

Visiting several areas in North Meirionnydd, officials discussed work that urgently needs to be carried out within internal drainage areas, and especially the River Gaseg and the River Croesor in Llanfrothen, the Dwyryd River in Maentwrog, and the River Glyn near Talsarnau.

Speaking after the meeting, FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones said: “We had a very good meeting with Liz Saville-Roberts and thank her for her continued support. We made it clear during our tour of these hot-spots that there are several matters which require urgent attention of NRW within the IDD. 

“The Land Drainage Act 1991 shows clearly that Natural Resources Wales have a statutory responsibility as the Drainage Board to maintain and improve the drainage within the district. 

“There are large areas of agricultural land currently under serious risk of further flooding, and it is imperative that work is carried out as a matter of priority. We will continue to keep the spotlight on this issue until it is resolved and keep members informed of the progress.”