The Farmers’ Union of Wales team in Ynys Môn enjoyed a successful county show, where farming matters took centre stage. Meeting with local politicians, as well as the First Minister Mark Drakeford and Wales Minister for Agriculture Lesley Griffiths, union officials highlighted issues that currently present barriers to Wales’ family farms being the thriving, sustainable enterprises that they should be.

Speaking after the show, FUW Anglesey County Executive Officer Alaw Jones said: “We have enjoyed a successful county show and I must thank everyone who joined us over the 2 days. It was an excellent opportunity to showcase why farming matters and amongst some of the issues we discussed with our elected representatives was the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

“The FUW is very much involved in shaping this vital scheme and during our meetings here at the Anglesey show we stressed the point that the scheme framework has significantly changed and reflects many of the issues we have been lobbying on since the Brexit and our Land consultation back in 2018. 

The Farmers’ Union of Wales Glamorgan and Gwent teams enjoyed a busy and successful Vale Show discussing many farming matters including the new habitat scheme, and the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

Union officials and staff met with local politicians to raise key concerns members in the counties have and used the opportunity to highlight that the new habitat scheme window, which will be opening in September, didn’t give members any opportunity to prepare or feed into what the scheme would look like. 

FUW Gwent and Glamorgan County Executive Officer Sharon Pritchard said: “When the Welsh Government announced that mainstream Glastir contracts will not be extended for the 3,000 farms in those environmental agreements, we were clear that this was going to cause huge problems for our members both in terms of the implications for farm businesses and the practicalities of designing and introducing a new replacement scheme over a period of just a few months.”

The Meirionnydd branch of the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) is looking forward to a busy day at the County Show (Wednesday, 23 August), which will be held in Harlech.

Union officials, including FUW President Ian Rickman will welcome politicians to the stand for a discussion on agricultural issues affecting farmers in the county and across Wales.

Union officials and staff, as well as FUW Insurance Services Ltd will be on hand to answer any questions our members may have. 

North Wales beef and sheep farming father and daughter team, Glyn Roberts and Beca Glyn, have raised concerns about proposed farming schemes and issues that present barriers to thriving, sustainable, family farms in Wales, when they welcomed Welsh Agriculture Minister Lesley Griffiths to their farm.

Taking Lesley Griffiths around the cattle shed and the fields at Dylasau Uchaf, Glyn Roberts highlighted some of the measures they have put in place to make their farming practices more sustainable. The Minister heard how different bedding for the cattle, such as padded slats instead of plain concrete slats in the cattle sheds, can make a difference of 500 - 600 grams a day of live weight gain to cattle on the same diet.

During a recent meeting of the Farmers' Union of Wales Milk and Dairy Produce Committee, delegates felt that the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2023 would bolster the good practice many milk purchasing businesses in Wales and across the United Kingdom have developed and acted upon since the introduction of the Voluntary Dairy Code in 2012.

Brian Walters, acting Milk and Dairy Produce Committee Chair said: "It’s welcome news to see these regulations being put in place in order to stamp out rogue milk purchasing businesses from abusing their position and exploiting dairy farmers with underhanded business decisions and contractual loopholes.

The Anglesey branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is looking forward to a busy Anglesey Agricultural Show, which is held on Tuesday 15 August and Wednesday 16 August.

Those visiting the Union stand can look forward to cooking demonstrations from local Chef Mel Thomas, using fresh local produce and 'Damara Mon' lamb.  There will also be some 'fat tail' Damara sheep on the FUW stand for all to see. Further details on this venture can be found here:  https://www.damaramon.com/  

The Rural Crime Team will be present on both days - promoting the 'We don't buy crime' campaign and are on hand to discuss any issues members have.Pennant Finance will also present for both days and are ready to help members with any questions they might have.