FUW welcomes Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs acknowledgement of New Zealand trade deal threat

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the acknowledgement of the threat posed by a potential free trade deal with New Zealand by Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths.

Ms Griffiths told the Assembly's Rural Affairs Committee that she was happy with the current round of talks with Ministers at Westminster about the future of UK farming after Brexit, but the prospect of a free trade agreement with New Zealand was a cause for concern.

"If we have this huge influx of New Zealand lamb it will absolutely destroy the Welsh lamb industry," she said.

The FUW previously described the prospect of a free trade deal with New Zealand as a perfect storm for Welsh Agriculture.

Mr Roberts said: “I wrote to the former Prime Minister in July, highlighting our concerns regarding such a deal with a country which is in such direct competition with ourselves. It is good to see that our Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs has today acknowledged that threat.”

As far as the opportunities represented by such a deal were concerned, Mr Roberts described these as negligible, saying : “New Zealand has a population of around 4.5 million, which is about one percent of the size of the EU, and is 11,500 miles away.

“A free trade deal may be a great opportunity for New Zealand, but the benefits for the UK as a whole are zero, and for agriculture are extremely negative.”

Mr Roberts further said he was concerned that the deal was being proposed for reasons of political expediency by the UK Government, and that gaining a market of 4.5 million consumers on the other side of the planet could not make up for the potential loss of a 500 million consumer market on our doorstep.

Successful Caernarfonshire breakfasts raise thousands for charity during Farmhouse Breakfast Week

[caption id="attachment_7634" align="alignleft" width="300"] "All fed and it's our turn now" says Lowri Thomas to her staff at Meillionydd Bach after feeding 115 breakfasts[/caption]

The Caernarfonshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales hosted five successful breakfast functions, which were attended by 450 people, as part of the Union’s Farmhouse breakfast week campaign.

The Wales wide campaign aimed to raise the profile of Welsh produce and got politicians, key stakeholders and the general public round the breakfast table to see the important role the food and drink sector plays in their everyday lives.

The events were held at Meillionydd Bach, Rhoshirwaun, Pwllheli, Ty’n Hendre, Talybont, Bangor, Llys Padrig, Y Ffor, Pwllheli, Dylasau Uchaf, Padog, Betws-y-Coed, and at Caffi Ann, Bryncir Mart, Bryncir, Garndolbenmaen.

As well as raising the profile of Welsh farming and Welsh breakfast produce, the Caernarfonshire team raised over £5,800 for charity, with donations still coming in.

FUW Caernarfonshire County Chairman, Tudur Parry, said: “I’d like to thank all who got involved with our campaign yet again this year. It was good

[caption id="attachment_7635" align="alignright" width="300"] Delyth Parry and Anti Lil with the rest of the squad that served over 100 breakfasts at Llys Padrig[/caption]

to start the day together in a positive and healthy way and at the same time raise money for British Heart Foundation Cymru at all locations and Cancer Research Wales as well in Meillionydd Bach. Over the last 8 years, the Caernarfonshire breakfasts alone have raised over £40,000 and we’re really impressed with the great turnout yet again this year.

“I would like to thank all the farmers’ wives who hosted the events and also everyone who sponsored our breakfast produce and helped us raise such a fantastic amount of money for the charity in the process.”

The FUW Caernarfonshire team would like to thank the following for sponsoring the breakfast produce: Llaethdy Ll?n; Hirdre Isaf’s Happy Eggs from Tudweiliog; O.G. Owen & Son Butchers Ltd, Caernarfon; Oinc Oink, Ffridd Llithfaen; Dafydd Wyn Jones & Son Butchers, Caernarfon; A.Ll & H. Williams Butchers, Edern; South Caernarfon Creamery; Cotteswold Dairy; Taylors Family Butcher of Cricieth; Welsh Lady, Y Ffôr; Tesco Caernarfon; A.F. Blakemore; Co-op Llanfairfechan; Ieuan Edwards of Conwy; John Williams of Llanfairfechan; Becws Islyn, Aberdaron; Spar Pwllheli; Llechwedd Meats, Llangefni; Asda Pwllheli; Elystan Metcalfe Butchers, Llanrwst; Popty Tandderwen, Betws-y-Coed; Belmont Fruit & Veg,

[caption id="attachment_7636" align="alignleft" width="300"] Nain Tai Duon extremely proud but dead jealous of next door's breakfast![/caption]

Llanddoged; Llaeth y Llan - Village Dairy, Llanefydd; T & M Roberts, Ochr Cefn Isa, Ysbyty Ifan; Spar Llanfairfechan; G. Williams & Son Butchers, Bangor; DJ Fruits, Porthmadog; Siop y Ffôr, Ceiri Garage, Llanaelhearn; Morfa Nefyn Garage & Shop; Wynnstay, Penygroeslon; Ian Fruit & Veg; Peredur Jones, Mynytho; Londis, Llanbedrog; R.H. Evans (Hywel Jones) Pwllheli; Clwc Clwc, Rhoshirwaen; Carwyn & Carys Evans, Botwnnog; Ll?n Eggs Pencaerau; Snowdonia Holiday Cottages, Rachub; Becws Glanrhyd, Llanaelhaearn; Plas Llwyndyrus Eggs; Cig Ceirion, Sarn; Morris Bros, Cwm-y- Glo; Morrisons, Caernarfon; Richard Temple Morris; Owen Pritchard, Glanmor Isaf

Gwent farmers fill the air with glorious smells for Farmhouse breakfast week

[caption id="attachment_7629" align="alignleft" width="300"] Members of Gwent FUW enjoying breakfast at T? Oakley Farm.[/caption]

Farmers in Gwent recently came together to celebrate Farmhouse breakfast week and raise the profile of the farming industry.

Joining in the national Farmers’ Union of Wales campaign, the Gwent branch of the Union organised two breakfasts, which were held at Ty Oakley Farm, Hafodyrynys, Crumlin and at Llanellen Village Hall, Llanellen, Llanfoist, Abergavenny.

Farmers were joined by Nick Ramsey AM for Monmouthshire, Farm watch police officer Allan Mills, together with reps from the local Authority as well as friends and family of the FUW.

FUW Gwent County Executive Officer Glyn Davies said: “This Farmhouse breakfast week was about showcasing the most important meal of the day in a bid to raise awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of breakfast and the huge variety of top quality farm produce available in Wales – ranging from bacon, sausages and eggs to speciality dairy products, breads and cereals.

“It was also an opportunity to show decision makers and key stakeholders who joined us how vital a part farmers play in maintaining our rural communities, in sustaining a viable and profitable agricultural sector and of course producing excellent food.

[caption id="attachment_7630" align="alignright" width="300"] Nick Ramsay AM, FUW Gwent county chairman Chris Jones and West Gwent branch county chairman Les Murphy at the breakfast held at Llanellen Village Hall.[/caption]

“I would like to thank you all for your support at these events and thank you to those who supplied us with the breakfast produce. The eggs we had from Philip and Hazel Hunt were really tasty and the bacon and sausage from our local butchers were top quality!

“A special thank you also goes to Howard Vicary and Linda Seward for hosting the breakfast at Ty Oakley and FUW West Gwent Branch chairman Les Murphy and Linda Seward for cooking the breakfast at both events.”

The Gwent branch also raised £350 for the FUW President’s charity BHF Cymru.

Meirionnydd breakfasts a huge success

[caption id="attachment_7622" align="alignleft" width="300"] Beryn Hughes, Berwyn Hughes, Ceris Anna and Cynan and all the staff at the Llew Coch, Dinas Mawddwy with FUW Head of Policy Dr Nick Fenwick[/caption]

The Meirionnydd branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has hosted six successful breakfast functions as part of the FUW’s Farmhouse breakfast week campaign (January 21 – January 28).

Over 150 people attended the breakfast functions, which were held on Saturday, January 21, at Castell Hen, Parc, Y Bala, Monday, January 23, at Canolfan Siop y Pentref, Llanfrothen, Wednesday, January 25, at Llew Coch, Dinas Mawddwy, Thursday, January 26, at Marchnad Dolgellau, Friday, January 27, at Tymawr, Carrog, Corwen and Saturday, January 28, at Neuadd Llanegryn, Tywyn.

The aim of the campaign was to raise the profile of Welsh produce and get politicians, key stakeholders and the general public round the breakfast table to highlight the important role the food and drink sector plays in their everyday lives.

“We built on the success of previous years in Meirionnydd, and for the first time held 6 events – up from 4 last year! Again we are grateful to everyone for the support and co-operation, and of course to those who sponsored the events,” said FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones.

[caption id="attachment_7623" align="alignright" width="300"] Ladies in charge of breakfast at Neuadd Llanegryn, Tywyn(l-r) Glesni Davies, Geunor Davies, Nesta Jones, Bethan Roberts - FUW Insurance Services Ltd. Account Executive and Meinir Owen[/caption]

Joining the breakfasts throughout the week were Simon Thomas AM, Prys Morgan Head of Operation HCC, Llyr Huws Gruffydd AM and North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones.

The Meirionnydd branch also managed to raise over £1,785 for the 6 breakfasts, for the FUW President’s charity BHF Cymru.

Mr Jones added: “We are absolutely delighted with the amount of money we have managed to raise for this worthy cause and there is still money coming in.”

Denbigh and Flint put spotlight on rural economy at breakfast time

[caption id="attachment_7618" align="alignleft" width="300"] Members enjoying their breakfast at Neuadd y Pentre, Groes[/caption]

The Denbigh and Flint branches of the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) hosted three breakfast in January as part of the FUW’s Farmhouse breakfast week, to put the spotlight on the rural economy, which were attended by over 100 people.

The events were held on Friday, January 27, at Neuadd y Pentre, Groes, near Denbigh and Cilcain Village Hall, Flintshire, as well as on Saturday, January 28, at Gwytherin Village Hall.

FUW Denbigh and Flint County Executive Officer Assistant Gwennan Williams said: “A big thank you to everyone who supported our breakfast events, sponsored produce and helped make these events happen.

“This breakfast campaign provided an opportunity to promote the quality premium local produce that farmers grow for us every day of the year and throughout breakfast week the FUW put the spotlight on the importance of our rural economy.

“We can’t stress enough how much farming matters, so it was good to see so many of our members and friends joining in conversation around the breakfast table.”

[caption id="attachment_7619" align="alignright" width="300"] Family and Friends enjoying a hearty breakfast at Gwytherin Village Hall[/caption]

Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies, who joined the FUW for breakfast, said: “I enjoyed some very tasty local produce at the FUW breakfast held near Denbigh. The farming community is a critical element of my constituency and it is important that the voice of farmers is heard as part of the Brexit negotiations. I look forward to helping ensure that is the case.”

In addition to raising the profile of Welsh farming, the breakfast functions also raised a fantastic £1,345 with more donation yet to be received for BHF Cymru - the FUW President’s charity.

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