Farmers in Carmarthenshire will have the opportunity to get up to speed with the new tax rules, which come into force on 1 April 2019. The ‘Making tax digital’ scheme will see millions of businesses and self-employed people having to file multiple tax returns each year.

So in order to help those VAT-registered businesses with a taxable turnover above the VAT threshold, the Carmarthen branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is hosting a special information evening.

Held at Llanarthney village hall on Thursday 3 January 2019, at 8.00pm, those attending the event will hear all about the scheme from Eirian Humphreys of LHP accountants and have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.

FUW Carmarthen CEO David Waters said: “This new way of filing your taxes has the potential to be a real headache for our farmers, especially as paper returns will no longer be accepted. I hope that many can join us for the evening and get up to speed on the new way filing their tax returns.”

For more information contact the FUW Carmarthen office on 01267 237974.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the recommendations outlined in the Welsh Government’s Quarantine Unit (QU) review following an announcement made earlier today (Monday 10 December) by the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths.

QUs were introduced in Wales in September 2017 in an attempt to provide industry with an alternative to the six day standstill rule.

Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Senior Policy Officer, said: “At present, the cost and impractical nature of QU rules represent a major obstacle to uptake and the FUW is therefore pleased that the recommendations made by Welsh Government recognised these issues.”

The Welsh Government QU review identified 9 recommendations for improvement, with 7 of these to be given consideration in the New Year.

These include exploring the possibility of amending the 24 hour reporting rule, allowing greater discretion for QU inspectors when considering compliance with requirements and the possibility of a funding stream to aid livestock keepers in meeting the initial costs of QU certification.

The Farmers' Union of Wales has welcomed an extension to funding for Glastir agreements, further investment through the Sustainable Production Grant and the continuation of the Farm Business Grant.

The Farmers’ Union of wales has welcomed the appointment of Mark Drakeford as the new Welsh Labour leader, who will take over as First Minister from Carwyn Jones in the next week.

Following the announcement FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The Farmers’ Union of Wales has an obligation to work with all political parties and Governments of the day to secure our members’ futures, and to oppose those actions or proposals we believe would be detrimental to our industry.

“Over the years our relations with Welsh Governments have delivered positive results for both farmers and governments as well as for the wider economy of Wales and we very much hope that we will be able to work with Mark Drakeford to continue this record.

“There can be little doubt that the vast majority of the core objectives of the FUW and the Welsh Government have been aligned, not least in terms of protecting Welsh livelihoods, sustaining and creating Welsh jobs, and improving Welsh prosperity and sustainability. We are also closely aligned in terms of the Well-being of Future Generations Act where farming can and does play such an important role.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has thrown its weight behind an amendment to the UK Government’s EU withdrawal deal motion which could prevent the devastation of a hard Brexit.

The amendment, tabled by Labour MP Hilary Benn and signed by both Labour and Conservative MPs, was supported unanimously by FUW standing and county committee chairmen during a special meeting held on Wednesday (December 5).

Mr Benn’s amendment, which declines the EU withdrawal deal put forward by the UK Government, but also rejects the UK leaving the EU without some form of withdrawal agreement and framework for the future UK-EU relationship being in place, is being supported by Plaid Cymru, the Scottish National Party and the Liberal Democrats, as well as many Conservative and Labour MPs.

Speaking after the meeting, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Following a lengthy discussion, it was agreed unanimously that Mr Benn’s amendment was the option which minimises the risk of the UK leaving the EU without a deal - something that would be devastating for Welsh farming and the UK as a whole.”

The West Wales FUW Academy, including the Ceredigion, Carmarthen and Pembrokeshire branches, recently discussed a host of #FarmingMatters when they met with Leader of the Welsh Conservative party Paul Davies AM.

The meeting was held at Trefochlyd, Croesgoch, Pembrokeshire, and was hosted by Euros Rees, who runs the family farm with his parents Peter and Dilys Rees and his uncle David Rees.

Delegates enjoyed a tour of the farm, which has been run by the family since it was purchased in the late 1930s. Euros is the third generation to farm Trefochlyd, which was primarily a dairy farm for many years but due to pressures in the industry and the need for heavy investment the difficult decision was made to sell the dairy herd.

Alongside his father and uncle, Euros set out to change the farming business and it was decided to go into beef production. Fast forward a few years and the family have built up a commercial suckler herd of about 50 cows.