The man carrying out a review of farm business resilience in Wales following the severe snow and freezing temperatures that hit the mid and north Wales during March and April has visited a Montgomeryshire farm to hear first hand from farmers about their experiences.
Natural resources and food minister Alun Davies has commissioned Kevin Roberts, former director general of the NFU in England and Wales and former chief executive of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, to carry out the review of the aftermath of the serious weather conditions during the peak lambing period for most sheep flocks.
Farmers' Union of Wales Montgomeryshire county chairman Alwyn Vaughan welcomed Mr Roberts, union members and other farmers from north Ceredigion, Meirionnydd and Denbighshire to Nantycoedwr, Llanwddyn, the home of Mr and Mrs Thomas Jones who farm on the Lake Vyrnwy Estate.
FUW county executive officer Susan Jones said: "Many of those present told Mr Roberts of their experiences and the difficulties encountered due to the heavy snowfall. A large number of roofs had collapsed under the weight of snow on buildings in the area - in some cases stock had been killed and trapped in buildings as a result.
"Farms were cut off with many rural roads blocked by snow. He heard how farmers in the Llangynog area had hauled feed for ewes trapped on the mountains on makeshift sledges to keep them alive and how tourists and sightseers ignored road closure signs when they got stuck and had to be towed out of the area.
"Many farmers had experienced difficulties in obtaining sheep compound feeds. All suppliers in the area had run out and were forced to restrict orders to keep everyone going. Due to the large number of cade lambs, lamb milk had also been in short supply."
Mrs Jones said Mr Roberts was told the seven-day burial derogation to allow farmers to bury dead stock on their land had been of little use. "Despite its extension for a further period of seven days many dead sheep did not come to light until the snow melted two to three weeks later.
"The derogation was conditional on farmers notifying authorities and one farmer reported spending three hours on the phone in an attempt to comply. Fallen stock disposal costs were adding to the financial burden on farms.
"England, Scotland and Northern Ireland governments had recognised the difficulties being experienced by their farmers in their areas affected by the severe weather problems and reduced fallen stock disposal costs and allowed unconditional burial.
"Mr Roberts thanked the farmers for their comments. He recognised that the poor weather conditions in 2012 was the beginning of a series of issues experienced by the farming community and that the heavy snowfall at the time of the main lambing period was a major blow to the sector.
"He appreciated that the affect of the weather would continue throughout the year."
Mr Vaughan expressed his appreciation to Mr Roberts for visiting the area and thanked Mr and Mrs Jones for hosting the event on behalf of the FUW.
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FARM MEETING: From left, Susan Jones, Alwyn Vaughan and Kevin Roberts[/caption]