Farmers’ Union of Wales President Glyn Roberts has congratulated Theresa Villiers on her appointment as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and has issued an open invitation to her to visit farms in Wales in order to better understand the unique challenges that Welsh family farms face in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The ‘stiff upper lip’ is synonymous with the farming community and most farmers just get on with things. Many may be hiding problems from themselves and their families and friends and talking about personal feelings is uncomfortable for many.

Recognising the problem the Farmers’ Union of Wales made a commitment at the Royal Welsh Show 2017 to raise awareness of mental health problems in rural communities and to continue the conversation about the wider issues surrounding mental health in rural areas.

FUW President Glyn Roberts was therefore delighted to announce that the DPJ Foundation, a mental health charity which aims to support people in rural communities with poor mental health, especially men in the agricultural sector, has been chosen as the FUW Presidents charitable cause for 2019 - 2021.

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Show on Wednesday 24 July, he said: “1 in 4 people will suffer with mental health problems in their lifetime, it is not an uncommon illness and one which we need to work together to tackle.

Inspirational agricultural contractor’s wife turned mental health champion, Emma Picton-Jones, has done more than most to bring mental health issues in agriculture to the fore, and now she has been presented with a special award by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

Emma’s husband Daniel took his own life in 2016, and in his memory she established the DPJ Foundation, which is now starting to provide Wales wide support for all farming families struggling to cope with mental health issues. 

And at the 100th Royal Welsh Show 2019, the FUW has recognised her achievements by presenting her with the Union’s ‘External Award for Services to Agriculture’ at the President’s reception on Wednesday 24 July. 

“Emma has been an inspiration and a pioneer in getting mental health in rural communities across Wales on to people’s agenda,” FUW President Glyn Roberts said.

Pembrokeshire beef and sheep farmer, Brian Thomas, who started his farming career at the age of 15, has been recognised with the Farmers’ Union of Wales internal award for services to agriculture.

Presenting the award at the FUW President’s reception (Wednesday, July 24) at the 100th Royal Welsh Show, Union President Glyn Roberts said: “Brian has been a rock solid friend and working partner for over 20 years. He is always willing to help, support and give advice. It is fair to say that Brian is someone I could and can rely on.

“Over the years Brian has gone above and beyond in serving not just this Union but the industry as a whole. He is not afraid to ruffle a few feathers if it means farmers get a better deal, be that through leading protests or campaigning at Government level. 

Farmers from across Wales joined a busy discussion group with Welsh agriculture Minister Lesley Griffiths at a special meeting hosted by the Farmers’ Union of Wales at the Royal Welsh Show (Wednesday, 24 July).

Focusing on the current ‘Sustainable Farming and Our Land’ consultation, which comes to a close at the end of October, members discussed proposals such as future support, the desire of pursuing a single Sustainable Farming Scheme which would be linked to a Sustainable Farming Payment, farmers delivering Public Goods and the possibility of capping and tapering payments.

Speaking after the meeting FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “This is a significant step forward and in essence farmers welcomed the tone of the proposals. However, there are some fundamental differences of opinion. We discussed these in detail with the Minister yesterday and will continue those discussions in the months ahead.

It’s the end of an era. Young farmers are officially old when they reach 26.

But now the FUW has set up a new way of keeping in touch for the over 20s, with a special home targeted at giving younger farmers the chance to keep in touch - and keep on enjoying meeting up.