Farming charity R.A.B.I is once again releasing money from its Crisis Fund to provide emergency grants to farming families via its Helpline – 0808 281 9490.

Following the last two weekends of heavy storms and with more rainfall forecast, R.A.B.I has released an initial £50k to provide emergency payments to those affected by the impacts of the extreme weather across England and Wales.    

Alicia Chivers, R.A.B.I CEO, said: “Having already provided around £75k of emergency grant support to those affected by extreme wet weather this autumn / winter, we know how devastating the impacts are for farmers in both the immediate and longer-term.  Simplifying our criteria and application process means we can fast-track immediate assistance to affected farmers.

“These funds, whilst a relatively small element of the help we expect to provide over the
longer-term to those affected, can make a real difference dealing with urgent priorities – and help to alleviate pressing financial worries, allowing farmers to concentrate on dealing with the immediate impacts of the extreme weather.

“R.A.B.I understands that the effects of severe weather are both financial and emotional. We will be here to provide support for as long as it is needed by our community.  We will also continue to work closely with partner charities and other farming organisations to make sure help is available, both now and on an enduring basis.”

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I) is the agricultural sector’s oldest and largest charity, offering support, practical care and guidance to farming people of all ages.

To apply for assistance, call R.A.B.I’s confidential Freephone Helpline 0808 281 9490. 

Farmers are being urged to remember the hedge cutting regulations which are in place as part of cross compliance to avoid a penalty on their BPS payment.

FUW Deputy President Ian Rickman said: “Most farmers will remember that they are not allowed to cut trees or hedges between 1 March to 31 August. If they don’t comply with the rules, they could face a hefty cross compliance penalty on their BPS payment which is avoidable.

“There are exceptions to the standard rule, but only if the conditions are met can you start cutting early or late. You can also carry out hedge laying and coppicing during March providing nesting birds are not disturbed. We however urge our members to make sure they don’t fall foul by accident.”

Other exemptions include the cutting of hedgerows or trees that overhang a highway, road, track or footpath to which the public have access, where the work is necessary because the overhanging vegetation either obstructs the passage of vehicles or pedestrians; obstructs the view of drivers, or the light from a public lamp; or there is a danger to horse-riders.

Farmers are also allowed to cut or trim hedgerows and trees if they are dead, diseased, damaged or insecurely rooted, and are therefore likely to cause a danger by falling onto a highway, road or footpath.

“I would also urge our members to remember that for safety reasons electricity and telephone companies are responsible for the maintenance of any overhanging trees and/or hedges which affect their equipment,” said Ian Rickman.

A farming family from the the Cwm Nantcol valley in Meirionnydd has spoken out about their concerns for the future of agriculture, when they met with Meirion Dwyfor MP Liz Saville Roberts.

Welcoming the local MP to their hill farm, Graig Isa, Cwm Nantcol, near Llanbedr, Alun and Moria Jones stressed that family farms like theirs could be a thing of the past if frameworks are not put in place to protect the industry.

The Jones family keep a flock of 700 Welsh Mountain Ewes on their farm which extends to approximately 700 hectares, with the vast majority of the land being rugged, mountain land.

Walking around the farm, Alun Jones said: “We are concerned about the future direction of the agricultural industry. Without support and loss of markets for our lambs, family farms such as ours will not be able to keep going. The UK Government must make sure that our home market is working properly and fairly and it is absolutely essential that unfair competition between producers in different parts of the UK is prevented.”

Over the years the farm has benefited from agri-environment schemes. It joined Tir Cymen when Meironnydd was chosen to pilot the scheme in the early 1990’s, and thereafter was part of the Tir Gofal scheme. It is now in the Glastir scheme and also Glastir Organic.

The family also has a Hydro scheme, which was established approximately 2 years ago, in a bid to diversify and guarantee a separate source of income.

“Diversification is a necessity on many farms and generating alternative energy is something we can do - it helps in producing clean energy and provides a bit of extra income for the farm. Given that things are as uncertain as they are - we all have to think outside the box and as farmers we are more than happy to do our bit for the environment. But it is important that we have adequate infrastructure to facilitate similar diversification enterprises in future and that the work we do is properly recognised,” said Alun.

FUW Meirionnydd county chairman Sion Ifans added: “Our industry is facing unprecedented time, there are plenty of opportunities but there are also some challenges ahead. “That’s why we must ensure the UK Government sets global tariff rates for key agricultural commodities such as beef and dairy products at the same level as those applied by the EU. It is so important that they work with the other UK administrations to place the protection of farming families and rural communities at the centre of a common framework which minimises unfair competition and market distortion, while respecting devolution.”

Farmers from Caernarfonshire got an insight into how wool is tested and analysed for quality, when they visited the Wool Testing Authority Europe Ltd. laboratory in Caernarfon. The company operates from the Cibyn Industrial Estate in Caernarfon, and tests wool from producers across Europe.

The tour was arranged by Courtney Pye, the Managing Director of the company, and members enjoyed learning about how the laboratory tests wool from a number of European countries.

FUW Caernarfon County Chairman Dafydd Williams said: “We all really enjoyed this visit and were certainly surprised to learn that it is the only laboratory of its kind in the Northern Hemisphere.”

The laboratory is fully equipped to carry out tests for the accurate and reliable measurement of an extensive range of wool characteristics and the prediction of processing performance. Wool is such an amazing product with different types of wool being suitable for different uses. To make sure that our wool is used for the right product, it needs to be tested. 

“Through the testing they can also detect disease and establish how stressed the animals have been - it really was fascinating and I thank Courtney Pye and Gavin Jones for arranging this visit,” added Dafydd Williams.

Farmers in Caernarfonshire have been urged not to join the long list of fatality statistics, and make their safety on farm a priority.

Speaking after a recent County Executive meeting, FUW Caernarfonshire County Chairman Dafydd Williams said: “Thinking of other people’s welfare and safety is often easier than thinking of ourselves. You understand the responsibility you have looking after an employee. But we must take care of ourselves too and that includes looking after our own safety on the farm.

“Over the last twenty years, other industries such as construction have made huge improvements to their safety records, and farming has not. It is frightening to think that you are now six times more likely to be killed on a farm than you would on a building site!

“That of course is not right and we have to address the issue - each and every one of us, on our own farms. Agriculture is known to be one of the most dangerous professions with farmers often working alone, in challenging weather conditions and in stressful situations.

“The risks on farms are all well-known and it shouldn’t be so difficult to manage them. But all too often we put ourselves in situations where one slip can have life changing or even fatal consequences.”

The figures published in the Health and Safety Executive’s report 'Fatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2018/19' show 39 people were killed as a result of farming and other agriculture-related activities during the year, that’s 6 more people than the 5-year average of 33 per year. 

Nearly half of the agricultural workers killed were over 60 with overturning vehicles or being struck by moving vehicles causing most deaths. 

Mr Williams urged farmers to think about what they’re doing before getting started. “6 people died in Wales last year because of an accident on the farm. That’s 6 families who went through life-changing trauma and many more will have been affected by the tragedies. It is not acceptable,” he added.  

During the County meeting, the Chairman also drew attention to working from heights and the need for general maintenance on farms in order to avoid accidents, including encouraging the members to have their outdoor electricity circuits tested. 

“All too often we see problems arising from cables being in poor condition after squirrels and rats chewing them. Having them regularly tested can help avoid so much inconvenience as well as avoid fatal accidents. Follow all the advice including wearing that helmet and make the promise to your family and yourself that you will come home at the end of the day,”he said.

Farmers from Brecon and Radnor have highlighted their concerns about the future of farming during a recent farm visit in South East Wales. 

Opening the gates to his farm Pencoedcae near Tredegar, Farmers’ Union of Wales Vice President Brian Bowen welcomed newly elected MP Fay Jones to discuss issues such as the Agricultural Bill, the urgent need for frameworks and Brexit.

Brian runs a mixed suckler cow and hill sheep unit and the farm consists of 150 acres of owned land with a further 1000 rented acres and 1200 acres of common rights on three separate commons.

Speaking about the Agriculture Bill, Brian Bowen said: “The Bill does nothing to ensure food imported to the UK meets UK standards — despite ministerial assurances that imported food would meet our standards. That is a huge concern for our farmers.”

While Clause 27 of the Bill, gives the Secretary of State powers to impose written contracts or specific contract terms, it still falls short he stressed.  

“The Bill does not extend the powers of the Groceries Adjudicator to cover the whole supply chain. We will therefore continue to stress that farmers selling produce to a supermarket via an intermediary or processor will remain vulnerable.” 

Farmers further highlighted the urgent need for frameworks in the UK if the UK's 'home market' is to continue working properly and fairly. 

“We need frameworks to prevent unfair competition between producers in different parts of the UK. The Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Order illustrates our fears: It removes the EU Pillar 1 financial ceilings mainly to allow Scotland to pay more money to farmers following Lord Bew’s review of payments. 

“If an additional windfall promised by the UK Government in August 2019 is paid through the BPS in 2020, the difference between average Scottish and Welsh farm payments will be around £16,200.

“Paying such an additional sum was not possible under the EU framework as it would have exceeded the Pillar 1 financial ceiling,” said Brian Bowen. 

Emphasising the importance of trade, Union officials told MP that 35% or more of Welsh lamb goes to Europe and that trade there is important. But with 60%+ going to England — it is critical that nothing breaks the UK Home market as a policy in devolved arrangements.

“This is a challenge philosophically and politically for some: Frameworks, by definition, restrict devolution and sovereignty, yet no advanced or mature nation which has a trading arrangement with another country or is part of a single market does not operate without the restrictions of frameworks that ensure the proper functioning of the market.” 

Since 2016, following an internal consultation, the FUW has argued for frameworks to be agreed between UK Governments in order to prevent inappropriate differences between policies and funding in different parts of the UK.