The Pembrokeshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is holding a meeting to discuss the Welsh Government’s NVZ and bTB consultations and is urging members of the Union to make their voices heard by responding to the documents.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 9 at Crundale Hall, Crundale and will start at 11am. FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright will be the guest speaker at the event.

Rebecca Voyle, the Unions Pembrokeshire County Executive Officer, said: “I would like to invite our members to join us for this important meeting to discuss the NVZ and bTB consultations, both of which have serious implications for farmers in the county.

“As stipulated in the EC Nitrates Directive, the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales, have undertaken a review of the existing NVZ areas in Wales, and have assessed if any new areas need to be designated.

“The Union, has been involved in the review and has made its concerns clear over the past months, but farmers also need to voice their concerns through the consultation process.”

Two options are outlined in the consultation, namely, the continuation of the discrete approach to designation or the designation of the whole of Wales as a NVZ. A continuation of the discrete approach would see an increase in the amount land designated as an NVZ in Wales from 2.4% to 8%. This would mean significant changes for Pembrokeshire due to the proposal to include the whole of the Eastern Cleddau and Western Cleddau catchments.

Speaking about the bTB consultation, Mrs Voyle said: “The consultation includes a proposal to divide Wales up into low, intermediate and high TB incidence areas, with differing approaches to eradicating the disease being implemented in each area.

“The whole of Pembrokeshire would be classed as a high incidence area with significant changes proposed to the TB controls which would operate in the area, so I urge our members to make sure that they attend the meeting to ensure that their views are included in the consultation response we will be issuing.”

To confirm a place at the meeting members must contact the Pembrokeshire office on 01437 762913 by 12 noon on Monday November 7, for catering purposes.

The Pembrokeshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has organised a bingo evening in aid of British Heart Foundation Cymru, on Thursday November 10.

The event will be held at Haverfordwest Cricket Club and doors open at 7.30pm with eyes down from 8pm.

FUW Pembrokeshire County Executive Officer Rebecca Voyle said: “I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our members and friends of the Union to join us for what promises to be a fun evening. We hope that as many as possible will join us on the night to help us raise money to support the fantastic work BHF Cymru do.”

BHF are the nation’s heart charity and the largest independent funder of cardiovascular research. Coronary heart disease is the UK’s single biggest killer and their pioneering research has helped to transform the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions and their work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are helping to change the face of the UK’s fight against heart disease.

Jayne Lewis, BHF Cymru’s local Fundraising Manager, said:  “It is partners like FUW who help to get our work off the ground to find even more discoveries into heart defects and treatments.  With 1 in 4 people dying of heart disease in Wales, and over 350,000 living with its burden there is still much more we need to know about how to stop this devastation.

“Funds raised by our supporters help us in this fight. Our research journey over the last 50 years has been phenomenal but until research provides all the answers, we are committed to supporting heart patients and their families to get the best possible care and advice. Well done FUW for your help and support."

For more information on the event, contact the Pembrokeshire FUW office on 01437 762913.

With bonfire night and Halloween fast approaching, the Farmers’ Union of Wales is today urging people to remember the distress fireworks and sky lanterns can cause to livestock and pets and reminds them of the dangers posed by bonfires.

“We call on people to stick to the firework safety code at all times, especially over the bonfire and Halloween season, to minimise the risk to livestock, pets and humans,” said FUW Land Use Policy Officer Bernard Griffiths.

“This time of year poses many dangers to animals and children – so don’t let negligence and ignorance be the cause for a real-life horror,” added Mr Griffiths.

Animals in general are not fond of the noise of fireworks and can become quite anxious during this time of year. Therefore, the FUW urges people to be considerate and not let them off near livestock.

“It is also a good idea to make sure that your pets have been micro-chipped by a vet and that the details on the chip are up to date prior to bonfire night, just in case they go missing,” said Mr Griffiths.

The FUW recommends that people visit an organised display but if you are having a display at home please make sure you follow the firework code at all times to minimise the stress for farm animals and children.

It is also advisable to give neighbours a few days notice of your firework display, particularly if they are elderly, have young children or pets.

“We further urge people not to use sky lanterns, which have been banned by nearly half of county councils in Wales, as they pose significant dangers to livestock and are, of course, a considerable fire safety risk,” added Mr Griffiths.

[caption id="attachment_7149" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW Caernarfon County Executive Officer Gwynedd Watkin, Aberconwy AM Janet Finch Saunders and FUW President Glyn Roberts discuss #FarmingMatters[/caption]

The Caernarfonshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has met up with Aberconwy AM Janet Finch Saunders to discuss #Farming Matters, including future funding for agriculture, bTB and broadband.

Gwynedd Watkin, the FUW County Executive Officer for Caernarfonshire, said: “I would like to thank Janet Finch Saunders again for meeting with us to discuss #FarmingMatters.

“Top of the agenda was of course funding for agriculture post-Brexit, bovine TB and the severe difficulties with broadband issues and mobile phone coverage in the area. We emphasised the importance of availability of broadband for farmers all over the county and that those without a connection cannot diversify their businesses as some might do.

“Those in rural areas without access to broadband cannot support children with homework as many need to do and they cannot connect readily with Government programmes for advice and support payments as they are mandated to do. In simple terms they are still being ignored and the gap continues to widen.”