The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, that TB eradication targets for Wales as a whole and interim targets for each TB region have now been established.  If achieved, these targets would see Wales become officially TB free between 2036 and 2041.

Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Senior Policy Officer said: “Other countries, such as New Zealand, Ireland and England have established bovine TB eradication programmes which set target dates for being TB free and the FUW has consistently highlighted this over the past year.

Farmers are today being reminded of the December deadline for Glastir capital works - and to request a derogation if they are struggling to complete their works because of bad weather.

FUW Policy Officer Charlotte Priddy said: “All 2016 and 2017 Capital Works have got to be completed by the December 31, and claimed no later than the February 28, via RPW online.

 

Steffan Harries from North Pembrokeshire is 18 years old and lives with his parents Arwyn and Sharon. His brother Hedd is in his second year Studying Veterinary Medicine at Warsaw University Poland, whilst his sister Grug is studying for her A levels.

Steffan left Ysgol Y Preseli when he was 16 years old and couldn't wait to be home on their Beef and Sheep farm at Garregwen, Boncath. He admits that school work was not on the top of his priority list, but excels  when it comes to the more hands on farming chores and has a good eye for choosing quality livestock.

 

Farmers’ Union of Wales Meirionnydd beef and sheep farmer Geraint Davies has been appointed as the chairman of the FUW’s  Younger Voice for Farming committee.

Together with his wife Rachael, he farms at Fedw Arian Uchaf, Rhyduchaf, Y Bala.An organic farm since 2005, it has been in the Glastir Entry scheme since 2013 and in the Advanced scheme since 2014.

The land, which lies approximately 900 feet above sea level, with much of it reaching up to 2200 feet, extends to 1200 acres, being mostly mountain land with approximately 200 acres of lower land, of which 70 acres is being kept to produce silage every year.

First year Harper Adams University student Isobel Thomas, who is studying Rural Land Management and Rural Enterprises, has been presented with the Farmers’ Union of Wales Walter Rowlands Memorial Award.

The award is presented in memory of Walter Rowlands to recognise his hard work during his 29 years' employment with the FUW as a county secretary.

Isobel Thomas, who lives at Croes Cwtta Farm, Castle Upon Alun, St Brides Major, Vale of Glamorgan, has been a keen and active member of Wick & District YFC from a young age and enjoys taking part in the stock judging competitions.

She is the 5th generation on the family farm and her great-great grandparents moved to Croes Cwtta Farm over 100 years ago. It was  previously a dairy farm and changed to a beef and sheep farm with a small amount of arable.

News that Northern Ireland could be granted access to the European Single Market and Customs Union, shows that it is possible to achieve what the Farmers’ Union of Wales has been calling for since the EU referendum.

Speaking from his farm in Pembrokeshire, FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas said: “Different parts of the UK can’t be treated differently and we therefore call on the UK government to ensure that Wales, given its heavy reliance on red meat exports to the EU, is given the same treatment. Should this deal be offered and come to fruition we fully expect to have the same offered to us.

“In the farming community there is a real sense of worry, alarm and anger about the state of Brexit negotiations, and how the current state of play compares to what was promised by many before the referendum.

“And whilst we recognise that the Irish border situation presents some unique challenges that need to be overcome, rural Wales has challenges of its own, such the economic challenges we have long highlighted. We need to recognise the impact that failure to secure such access and reach agreement for Wales could have. Denying Wales access to the Single Market and Customs Union would have catastrophic consequences, as recently highlighted in scenarios from the FAPRI and Horizon reports.”