#FarmingMatters were hotly debated at the Farmers’ Union of Wales stand at the Vale of Glamorgan Show (Wednesday, 9 August), when Union officials met with a range of local politicians and members.

FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas said: “We enjoyed a successful day here at the Vale of Glamorgan show. It really was a hotspot for #FarmingMatters and we enjoyed catching up with members and highlighting the important role farming plays in our everyday lives.

“During our meetings with local politicians such as Jane Hutt AM, David Melding AM and Andrew RT Davies AM, we also discussed the way forward for agriculture in light of Brexit and reinforced the urgent need for an agricultural summit in order to progress the vital constitutional issues that need to be addressed before EU powers are repatriated from Brussels to London.”

On the day the FUW was also joined by South Wales Police Crime Reduction Tactical Advisor Deborah Elward, who highlighted ideas for farmers to prevent crime on their farm and FUW member David Harris, who has been leading a local action group ‘The Vale Market Community Enterprise Group’ (VMCE) to keep the Cowbridge livestock market open and reinvent the site to improve the market facilities and build a local hub.

FUW Glamorgan CEO Rachel Saunders said: “It was great to have Deborah with us and together we highlighted some of the other options available to farmers to prevent rural crime, other than CCTV.

“We used the opportunity to also tell farmers about the new official Rural Watch Scheme to which they can now sign up to. The scheme will replace the informal texting group that local farmers have been using to warn each other about farm thefts and I hope that many more of our members will sign up.”

The Union has also long been in support of Cowbridge Livestock mart, recognising that the closure of the mart would remove a vital lifeline from the town and also make it necessary for farmers to travel far greater distances to sell their stock.

Rachel Saunders added: “The proposed scheme will produce many benefits to the market site as a whole, including the addition of much needed car parking facilities within the town centre, which will also provide the historical benefit of exposing the Cowbridge town wall which was built in the 13th century. We will certainly continue to support the project and hope that the difficulties the project is facing can be resolved soon.”

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

Union officials will welcome Liz Saville Roberts MP and Dafydd Elis Thomas AM to the marquee for a discussion on farm policy and funding post Brexit.

FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones said: “ We look forward to discussing #FarmingMatters at the stand with our members and elected politicians and extend a warm welcome for members, guests and friends of the FUW as in previous years to join us on the day.

“Union officials and staff, as well as FUW Insurance Services Ltd. will be on hand to answer questions our members may have. The County Branch is also extremely grateful to the ladies section in the Tywyn, Aberdyfi and Pennal areas for taking responsibility for the refreshments on the stand.”

In addition, joining the FUW on the day are FWAG Director Dr Glenda Thomas between 11am and 12noon, Farming Connect Meirionnydd Development Officer Eryl P Roberts will be present between 1pm and 3pm, Representatives from Natural Resources Wales will be present throughout the day to provide assistance and advice on any issues relating to the Tywyn and Dysynni Internal Drainage districts.  

Tom Jones, Plas Coch, Dolanog Montgomeryshire, former FUW Vice President will be at the stand between 2pm and 3pm to sign copies of his recently published book 'RHWNG DAU GLAWDD'. Proceeds from the book are donated to charities, and at the Meirionnydd show, £200 will be donated to the RABI who will be present at the stand this year throughout the day.  

North Wales Police and Crime commissioner Arfon jones will also be present, together with Con Dewi Evans and members of the rural crime team.  

A representative from FCN ‘Farming Community Network’ and Dolgellau Hospital Staff Nurse Ann Thomas will also be present throughout the day to discuss and raise awareness of mental health in rural areas.

Welsh farmers were all heart at the Eisteddfod, when they presented BHF Cymru with a cheque worth over £39,000, following two years of successful fundraising.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) was founded in 1961 by a group of medical professionals wanting to fund extra research into the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heart and circulatory disease.

After half a century of extraordinary scientific and societal progress they have helped to transform the landscape of heart disease. Thanks to their research most babies born today with heart defects now survive, pacemakers help people control their heart conditions, statins are lowering cholesterol levels for millions, reducing risk of heart attack and stroke.

In addition, heart attack treatment has been revolutionised and many inherited conditions can now be diagnosed and successfully treated preventing sudden death.

Presenting the cheque to BHF Cymru, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “It gives me great pleasure to present this cheque worth over £39,000 to BHF Cymru today. The work they do is vital in saving lives and their research into heart disease must continue, especially as each day in Wales 25 people lose their lives to cardiovascular disease, which can devastate those they leave behind. 

“The money raised will help BHF Cymru to continue their pioneering research, which is central to discovering vital treatments for people living with these conditions.

“Therefore, I would like to thank all of the FUW staff, friends of the Union and all those who have helped us in raising this fantastic amount of money. We have held many events, including breakfast functions, walked the Offa’s Dyke path, held Bingo events and Whist drives to raise money and all of this would not have happened without the dedication and determination of everyone involved.”

BHF have brought pioneering techniques to hospitals, including scans that look right inside the heart,and tests like angioplasty which are now routine. They have been involved in some of the biggest advances in heart attack treatment and care, from the discovery of clot-busting drugs and the effectiveness of statins to the way patients are cared for in hospital.  

BHF Fundraising Manager for South West Wales Jayne Lewis said:  “We would like to thank the Farmers’ Union of Wales for all their help and support over the past two years. Too many lives are lost in Wales each year to heart and circulatory disease, and we’re determined to do everything we can to protect more families from this devastation.

“Around 375,000 people across Wales this month are fighting this daily battle and thanks to the local groups and organisations we’ll be able to fund even more research into these conditions.”

BHF Chief Executive Simon Gillespie said: “I would like to say a big thank you to the Farmers’ Union of Wales. Over the past two years, our partnership has raised vital funds that have helped power our life saving research in Wales.

“For over 50 years we’ve pioneered research that has transformed the lives of millions of people living with heart disease. But heart and circulatory disease still kills more than 750 people per month in Wales alone, stealing them away from their families and loved ones.”

Thirteen months after the Farmers’ Union of Wales called for “…the UK and EU to agree on a sensible timetable for Brexit ... or risk dire consequences for both the UK and the remaining 27 Member States”, the Union has welcomed growing support for its call by other organisations and bodies.

In early July, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) called for a Brexit transition period, saying it was impossible for all the details of a new EU trade deal to be in place by March 2019, and that UK businesses need a ‘bridge’ instead of a ‘cliff-edge’ for the new deal - echoing the reality-check issued by the FUW on the day after the Brexit referendum.

And just last week, no less than fourteen farming organisations from across the UK came out in support of an initial transition period being in place for the full duration of negotiations with the EU.

FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas said: “Ministers and politicians are also speaking about the need to agree transitional arrangements with the EU, and it is welcome news that the foremost demand outlined in our May 2017 Manifesto is sinking in amongst so many.”

“However, despite the growing support for that position, we should not forget that such agreement has not been reached, and it therefore remains a priority for both the UK and EU.”

Mr Thomas also highlighted the Union’s frustrations with those who had become fixated with developing new post-Brexit policies while ignoring immediate dangers the country faces.

“Brexit brings with it many concerns, challenges and opportunities, and it is certainly essential that we consider post Brexit policies and plan for the future.

“The FUW has been doing just that through constant consultation with our membership since July last year, but we cannot be sure what an appropriate agricultural policy will look like until we know the details of the agreements currently being hammered out with the EU and others, and the detailed modelling we have called for has been carried out.”

Mr Thomas said that without such careful planning, policy proposals may as well be written out on the back of a fag packet on a Friday afternoon.

“While the important work of looking to the future must continue, we have kept our feet on the ground, and since 24th June 2016 have consistently called for a realistic and safe timetable for leaving the EU.

“We need to recognise the dangers which are just around the corner, and that the immediate focus should be on securing a realistic Brexit transition period. The growing recognition of this is a great relief, but it needs to become a reality,” he added.