[caption id="attachment_7530" align="alignleft" width="300"] Meirionnydd farmers stress the importance of tariff-free access to the EU market[/caption]

Farmers in Meirionnydd recently came together to showcase what farming in the county is like and to share some of their thoughts and concerns about the industry given the uncertainty, created by the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, for the sector.

They were joined by Labour AM for Mid and West Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan at Esgairgyfela, Aberdyfi, which is run by Dewi Owen and his wife Meinir.

The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of continued access to the single market and farmers expressed their fear of the possibility of facing tariffs when exporting produce to the EU, as well as their concern about what support agriculture can expect once the UK leaves the EU.

Farmers’ Union of Wales Finance and Organisation Committee delegate Dewi Owen, whose farm extends to approximately 280 acres and is home to 400 Welsh Mule Ewes and 10 Pedigree Charolais Cattle, said: “Tariff-free access to EU markets is essential, particularly for the Welsh sheep sector and we reinforced that message when we met with Eluned Morgan here at the farm.

[caption id="attachment_7531" align="alignright" width="300"] (l-r) Meinir Owen, Eluned Morgan and Dewi Owen[/caption]

“The FUW has and will continue to highlight that post-Brexit imports to the UK should be subject to genuine equivalence in terms of environmental and animal health standards and any agreement which allows free access to UK markets for EU agricultural produce must be accompanied by financial support for UK producers equivalent to the support received by EU farmers.

“It absolutely vital that governments also proactively support UK food and farming through their own procurement policies, and by ensuring competition rules favour rather than disadvantage UK industries.”

Talking about trade FUW members highlighted that for agriculture, membership of the customs union has meant significant protection from non-EU food imports, increased competition from produce from other Member States, and unfettered access to EU markets – all within a single farm support framework and system of common rules.

Huw Jones, FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Office, said: “We further discussed possible future trading relationships with the rest of the world in a post Brexit era and the danger of seeing increased competition from larger economies with lower animal welfare, food safety and environmental standards.

“Most concerning for our farmers are proposals by senior politicians from across the political spectrum to increase imports of cheap food from countries with environmental, animal health, and in some cases human rights standards which fall well short of those legally required in the UK.”

Members of the Union stressed that such policies would not only have a severe detrimental impact on UK agriculture and rural communities such as those found in Meirionnydd, but would also lead to an overall increase in environmental degradation and a fall in animal welfare standards – both issues on which the UK electorate has strong views.

Mr Jones added saying that the loss of close and relatively affluent continental markets, and the degree to which these can be realistically replaced by markets which are much further afield, given the costs, logistics and reality of gaining similar access to alternative, by definition more distant markets is a real concern.

“Superficially, trade balance figures suggest that leaving the EU’s free trade area may benefit some products through the removal of imported produce. However, such benefits could only be realised if there is political support for trade policies which reduce imports from all other countries.

“Complicating such perceived benefits is the seasonality of production, and the degree to which sectors rely on exporting certain types of products and cuts (‘quarters’) which do not generally appeal to UK consumers in order to balance carcass and product value.

“This is a particular concern for the Welsh sheep sector, where production is necessarily extremely seasonal and includes a significant proportion of lighter lambs (around 15 per cent) for which there is little domestic demand, and exports to the continent of certain cuts and offal make up a significant proportion of carcass value for the same reason,” added Mr Jones.

[caption id="attachment_7532" align="alignleft" width="300"] Tariff-free access to EU markets is essential, particularly for the Welsh sheep sector, Meirionnydd farmers tell Labour AM for Mid and West Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan at Esgairgyfela, Aberdyfi.[/caption]

Union officials and members also discussed the recent consultations on bovine TB, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, the importance of Agri Environment schemes to a county such as Meirionnydd, the opportunities for diversification with Tourism and Renewable Energy, lack of processing facilities and the importance of succession within farming enterprises.

Following the meeting Mid and West Wales AM Eluned Morgan said: “It was extremely valuable to meet representatives from Meirionnydd FUW.  They shared their concerns with me about their fears about the industry post Brexit. I hope that I was able to reassure them that I am happy to be a mouthpiece in the Assembly for the need to focus on rural development and the central role that agriculture plays in the food and drink industry in Wales which employs over 220,000 people.”

[caption id="attachment_6110" align="alignleft" width="300"] Flashback to 2016: Deputy Minister for Farming and Food Rebecca Evans being served breakfast by FUW President Glyn Roberts.[/caption]

Often the best conversations are had whilst sitting around the table and enjoying good food. Putting aside just a small amount of time each day to enjoy breakfast together allows us to talk, reflect on recent events, and gives us some time away from the usual everyday distractions before the day starts.

Eating together brings people together and because the Farmers’ Union of Wales wants to continue to build closer working relationships with Welsh Government to ensure that the voice of Welsh farmers is heard, it is hosting the annual Farmhouse Breakfast in Cardiff for Assembly Members, decision makers and key stakeholders.

The breakfast is being held on Tuesday, January 24 at the Pierhead building, Cardiff Bay and will see the Union getting politicians round the breakfast table for talks about the future of agriculture and family farms in Wales in a post-Brexit world.

Alan Davies, the FUW’s Managing Director, is looking forward to the event:

“I am really excited about this breakfast in Cardiff Bay. The FUW has a long history of staging this event and it is such a great opportunity to bring everyone together over good food and have some constructive talks about how we can safeguard the future of agriculture here in Wales.

“This breakfast campaign also provides an opportunity to promote the quality premium local produce that farmers grow for us every day of the year and throughout Farmhouse Breakfast Week the FUW will shine a spotlight on the importance of our rural economy, which is sustained without a doubt by our farmers and the businesses that rely on them.

“The food and drink sector is important and farmers are at the head of that food production chain. We have some of the best animal health and welfare standards here in the UK and the food we produce is absolute top quality. So let’s celebrate the industry and appreciate the amazing job our farmers do for us every day of the year, which guarantees that we have fresh, locally produced food on your tables.”

A warm welcome and mouth-watering smells await those joining the Gwent and Glamorgan breakfast functions, which have been organised as part of the FUW’s Farmhouse breakfast week campaign (January 21 – January 28).

The events are being held on:

• Friday, January 27, at Lesser Hall, High Street, Cowbridge;
• Thursday, January 26, at Ty Oakley Farm, Hafodyrynys, Crumlin
• Friday, January 27, at Llanellen Village Hall, Llanellen, Llanfoist, Abergavenny.

The FUW campaign aims to raise the profile of Welsh produce and get politicians, key stakeholders and the general public to really understand the important role the food and drink sector plays in their everyday lives.

“It is 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’s also an opportunity to show decision makers and key stakeholders who are joining 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.

“But we want you to be a part of what we do too and I would like to extend a very warm welcome to you all and hope many of you can join us at one of our breakfast functions,” said FUW Gwent and Glamorgan County Executive Officer Glyn Davies.

For more information please contact the Abergavenny office on 01873 853280.

Sheep and goat keepers in Wales are being reminded to submit their annual inventory form by February 1, to avoid potential penalties.

The form can be submitted by either logging onto the EID Cymru website, or by returning the paper form in the pre-paid envelope.

Once the form has been submitted keepers will receive a receipt, which should be kept for record keeping purposes. Should you no longer keep sheep and goats

and aren’t planning on keeping any in the next 12 months, you need to de-register as a keeper with APHA (0300 3038268).

FUW Policy Officer Charlotte Priddy said:

“The annual inventory of sheep and goats is a legal requirement and it is vital that you recorded all the sheep and goats of which you are the registered keeper, by CPH location on 1 January 2017. The number of sheep/goats you declare must include breeding sheep, rams, ram lambs, store and finished lambs, cull ewes/rams, goats and any other sheep.

“It is important that you do this to avoid a potential cross-compliance penalty and an increased likelihood of an inspection.”

If you require assistance, contact the EIDCymru service helpline 01970 636959 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..