Rhymney Valley beef and sheep farmer Brian Bowen opened the doors to Pencoedcae farm to discuss important #FarmingMatters with Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney AM Dawn Boden.

Brian, who is the Farmers’ Union of Wales Policy Delegate for South Wales farms 2000 breeding ewes and around 150 suckler cows on the 1250 acre (rented and owned land) at, Princetown, Tredegar, along with his father, mother and his son.

Speaking at the visit Brian Bowen said: “Farm businesses, and family farms in particular, are an essential part of the economic, social, and cultural fabric of Wales.

“Welsh food production sustains tens of thousands of other businesses – from upstream businesses such as feed merchants, agricultural contractors and engineers, to downstream businesses such as hauliers, processors and retailers.

“Farmers are an exceptional conduit for money, so if their businesses are thriving they reinvest and this, in turn, brings wealth to second and third sector businesses and the wider rural economy.”

Farmers and FUW representatives on the day further stressed that irrespective of what trade deals are in place post-Brexit, within the UK, Welsh farmers will compete against their counterparts in other devolved regions.

“It is critical that everyone understands just how much #FarmingMatters and I would like to thank the businesses who came to join us here and echoed that sentiment.

“Following the downturn in agriculture over recent times and across almost all sectors, it is critical that we acknowledge the importance of a thriving agricultural sector on the economy – both locally and much further afield. ”

Dawn Boden further heard that around 60,000 people are employed on farm holdings in Wales, in addition to the thousands employed in businesses which are reliant on agriculture such as contractors, feed and machinery merchants, mechanics etc.

[caption id="attachment_8106" align="alignright" width="300"] "It is critical that everyone understands just how much #FarmingMatters and I would like to thank the businesses who came to join us here and echoed that sentiment. " - Brian Bowen[/caption]

“The wider contributions to our economy are also well documented, for example, in terms of tourism, while agriculture has been acknowledged as the single most significant contributor to an estimated £1.9 billion worth of wildlife based activity in Wales per annum (Mabis, 2007), the Welsh countryside, managed by farmers, provides the backdrop for the tourism industry worth over £2.5 Billion,” added Brian Bowen.

The visit was joined by a variety of local businesses and common land associations, including John Richards of The Prince of Wales pub, Price Farm Supplies, T Alun Jones Machinery, Neil Davies of PMR, Bowketts Feeds, Rees Agri, Clee Tompkinson and Francis Estate Agents, Land Agent Chris Smith, Llangynidr Commons Secretary Colin Greeves, and Merthyr Gelligaer Commons Chairman Huw Williams.

Dawn Bowden, Welsh Labour Assembly Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney said: “I am grateful to the FUW  for inviting me to Pencoedcae Farm to meet with farmers and representatives of local business which are heavily reliant on farming.

“It was helpful to hear at first hand the challenges facing the farming industry, particularly in the context of the many uncertainties surrounding Brexit. The discussions brought home in very clear terms that “farming matters”, and I look forward to working with organisations like the FUW, alongside farmers and businesses in my constituency as we face the challenges ahead.”

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The Farmers’ Union of Wales is looking forward to a busy week of promoting #FarmingMatters at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show (24 - 27 July) and has lined up a series of seminars and discussion groups, focusing on key issues the industry is facing.

“The Royal Welsh Show not only provides an opportunity to socialise, let off steam and see Welsh farming and Welsh livestock and produce at their best; it also allows farmers to seek advice from the plethora of bodies represented there.

“The FUW is adopting a very practical and informative approach at this year’s show, focusing on issues such as rural crime, the role of women in agriculture, young farmers and succession, digital connectivity, social care and mental health in rural communities,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

As all eyes turn to the showground in Llanelwedd, the Union is starting the week with a practical approach seminar on preventing rural crime on Monday 24 July, 1pm at the FUW Pavilion.

“Every year rural crime costs millions of pounds and causes untold anxiety to farmers and rural businesses. The seminar aims to shine a light on the issues, to improve understanding and enhance community safety and we hope many of you can join us on the day,” said FUW Marketing and Membership Manager Teleri Fielden.

Keynote speakers include Dyfed-Powys Police Rural Crime lead PC Matthew Howells, North Wales Police Rural Crime Team Manager Rob Taylor, Barclays Agriculture Relationship Director Kathryn Whitrow, who will speak about Cyber Security and Plant-I Managing Director Jason McAuley to outline some practical solutions to rural crime. The seminar will be chaired by Olivia Midgley, Head of news & business Farmers Guardian.

The Tuesday evening (25 July) of the show will firmly put the spotlight on young people in the industry, with the FUW hosting a networking event for young farmers (under the age of 40) between 4-6pm.

Joining the networking session are Jon MacCalmont, Research Assistant in Bioenergy, IBERS; Ruth Wonfor, Lecturer in Animal Science, IBERS; Sarah Lewis - FC Lifelong Learning & Dev Programme Mger - Lantra, Einir Haf Davies, Development and Mentoring Manager, Farming Connect; Alison Harvey, Agriculture Manager for Lamb, Dunbia; Julie Finch, Corporate Strategy and Policy Manager, HCC; Delyth Davies, Head of Dairy Development Wales, Dairy Co. and Andy Middleton, Board Member, NRW.

FUW’s Policy Officer Charlotte Priddy, who is organising the networking event, said: “This is a great opportunity for our young people to come together, enjoy some great Welsh food and chat with industry bodies and other farmers in an informal setting. I hope to see many of you there on the night and look forward to some great #FarmingMatters chats.”

Wednesday afternoon (26 July), between 4-5pm, the FUW is hosting a discussion group with the focus on the changing role of women in agriculture. Keynote speakers include Baroness Eluned Morgan, Brecon deer farmer Kath Shaw, Meirionnydd farmer and HCC board member Rachael Davies and a secret guest speaker, which will be revealed on the day.

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“The main aim of the seminar is to discuss the grassroots involvement of women in agriculture and their wider role in shaping the industry. I really look forward to hearing about their future vision for women in agriculture, as well as their experience as a woman in the industry,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

On the Thursday of the show (27 July) the Union will explore what help is available in rural communities for those suffering with mental health and is welcoming Gareth Davies from Tir Dewi and David Williams, Wales Regional Director, Farming Community Network to its Pavilion.

The seminar, ‘It’s Ok to say’ - putting the spotlight on mental health in the farming community’, will start at 11am and is open to all.

“The ‘stiff upper lip’ is synonymous with the rural farming community and most farmers just get on with things. Many may be hiding problems from themselves and their families and friends and talking about personal feelings is uncomfortable for many.

“We’ve faced some pretty low-points as a farming community in the last few years, TB, price volatility and uncertainty about our future post-Brexit, this all puts a strain on our resolve. But it’s about time to break the stigma attached to mental health and if you’re feeling vulnerable, please open-up and speak to someone.

“This seminar will shed some light on the help available in rural areas and I hope that it will offer some guidance and reassurances to those who are suffering with mental health problems and their families,” added Glyn Roberts.

Brian Walters, the FUW’s long serving Vice-President has retired from official union duties at the recent annual general meeting.

Brian, a passionate and committed supporter of the FUW, has been a member since he started farming. He was county vice-chairman from 1995 until 1997, when he became county chairman, a position he held for two years. He is a past chairman of both the Carmarthen branch milk committee, of which he became chairman in 1995, and the union’s central milk and dairy produce committee, of which he was chairman from 1996 to 2000. He held the role of vice-president of the FUW since 2000.

He was a District Representative on Milk Marque’s South Wales Board, and then Area Representative on the Board of First Milk until 2002. Brian represented the union on the Council of the Wales Federation of YFCs and the Organic Steering Group and has given evidence on TB in cattle to the Agriculture Committee of the House of Commons and to the Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee of the National Assembly for Wales.

Brian has acted in a local drama group for 20 years and also compères local concerts. He is also an after-dinner speaker. During his time in office he has given many television and radio interviews in Welsh and English on various topics for Radio Cymru, Radio Wales, and Radio 5 Live, as well as participating in ‘Farming Today’ on Radio 4 and Jeremy Vine’s programme on Radio 2, as well as many other local radio stations.

Speaking about his retirement, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “I would like to thank Brian for all his years of long service to the FUW and agriculture. He has been a stalwart for farming, standing up for the rights of our members and tirelessly campaigning about the eradication of bovine TB.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed a recent decision by the European Court of Justice to protect dairy produce labels. The ruling means that plant-based food products can no longer be sold in the European Union using terms such as ‘butter’ and ‘milk’. It follows a referral from the German court, where Tofu products had previously been sold as ‘veggie cheese’ and ‘Tofu butter’.

FUW Milk and Dairy Produce Committee Chairman Rhydian Owen, said: “This ruling represents a significant step forward in the correct marketing and labelling of plant based products.  By using terminology that should be solely reserved for our excellent and high quality dairy produce, plant-based competitors have been misleading consumers and cashing in on the good reputation of milk based products.”

He added that FUW members have consistently called for clearer labelling on food produce in order to ensure that consumers can make an informed purchase and the Union is pleased with the decision of the EU Court.

With the exception of coconut milk, peanut butter, almond milk and ice-cream, EU regulations state that marketing and advertising labels such as milk, butter, cheese and  cream may only be used when describing products from animal milk.

The ruling will mean that companies selling plant-based products using dairy-only terms will need to rebrand or face litigation proceedings if the matter is taken forward by national courts. Member States failing to comply with the ruling could also face EU action.

“The Welsh and British dairy sector works hard to maintain high standards and the mislabelling of plant-based products undermines both the nutritional value of our milk based products and the hard work and dedication of our dairy farmers. Given the move towards better labelling within the EU, the FUW would seek to ensure that products sold in the UK are also compliant with this ruling, irrespective of the Brexit deal negotiated,” added Rhydian Owen.