[caption id="attachment_6801" align="alignleft" width="300"] (l-r) Paul Davies AM, FUW Pembrokeshire County Chairman David Nicholas and FUW Pembrokeshire County President Hywel Vaughan highlight that #FarmingMatters[/caption]

The importance of negotiating favourable trade deals and securing strong support for #FarmingMatters were at the forefront of discussions when Farmers’ Union of Wales officials met with Paul Davies AM at the Pembrokeshire County Show.

Union officials stressed the point that Wales must under no circumstances be placed at a disadvantage compared to the rest of the UK when it comes to allocating budgets post 2020 and that the Welsh Government had a responsibility to its farmers, not just here in Pembrokeshire but across Wales.

FUW Pembrokeshire County Chairman David Nicholas said: “I would like to thank Paul Davies AM for meeting with us at the show - it was a productive meeting and we discussed a wide range of issues. As an Union we emphasised that politicians of all parties need to recognise that #FarmingMatters, not just now but also post 2020. Farmers are money making machines and every pound we get converts into at least  six in our rural economy. We now have an excellent opportunity to shape our own future, one that suits Wales and our governments can’t hide behind Brussels any longer. Brexit is hugely important to our country especially when we talk about negotiating trade deals and I would urge all of our politicians and key decision makers to throw their full support behind our farming industry.”

Union officials advised Mr Davies that it is consulting its members on what they consider to be of utmost importance in light of our departure from the EU and that the FUW will be making recommendations to Government shortly based on the feedback received from members.

“We also reminded Paul Davies AM that whilst exit plans are being drawn up at UK government level, there is something they can do in Cardiff to support our Welsh farming industry. We reiterated that it is in the gift of both the Welsh and UK Government to start planning for more sustainable and supportive public procurement policies and reminded him that hiding behind state-aid rules is no longer an option: our schools, hospitals, armed forces and all other public services deserve access to the top quality produce that we grow here in Wales, and our farmers and rural economies deserve recognition for what they produce.

“In our meeting we called again for immediate action to initiate draft legislation which will mandate the procurement of British produce by the UK public Sector. This will support rather than spite the sectors which lie at the heart of our rural economies. But we also reinforced our call to take immediate action on tackling the bovine TB problem. If we do not change our policy on the wildlife vector in regards to bovine TB, our exports to the European Union, in a post-Brexit world, are under considerable threat and it is high time that Welsh Government act fast to ensure that exactly that doesn’t happen,” added Mr Nicholas.

[caption id="attachment_6798" align="alignleft" width="300"] (l-r) FUW President Glyn Roberts, Simon Hart MP, FUW Pembrokeshire County Chairman David Nicholas, FUW Vice President Eifion Huws, FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright and FUW Pembrokeshire County President Hywel Vaughan discuss #FarmingMatters at Pembrokeshire County Show.[/caption]

A delegation of Farmers’ Union of Wales officials have met with Simon Hart MP at Pembrokeshire County Show to discuss #FarmingMatters, bovine TB, the future of agriculture post-Brexit and the state of the dairy industry.

Focusing strongly on how farmers can cope with volatility in the dairy industry, FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright said: “In the absence of a proper functioning supply chain we must protect producers from being exposed to unfair practises. We have repeatedly called for a strengthening of the Groceries Code Adjudicator role to include indirect dairy contracts as well as direct contracts to retailers.

“The FUW remains concerned that producers in remote areas with little choice of contracts remain vulnerable. Given the current volatility in the market and the slow adjustment of milk volume to supply needs, we need to further discuss the way in which producers might be protected and given greater supply chain power.”

Union officials also highlighted that budgets post 2020 need to be allocated carefully to ensure that agriculture in Wales is not placed at a disadvantage. In addition the FUW reinforced the point that if we do not change our policy on the wildlife vector in regards to bovine TB, our exports to the European Union, in a post-Brexit world, are under considerable threat.

The Dyffryn Conwy branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is looking forward to a busy day at Llanrwst Show this Saturday (August 20).

Union officials will welcome all including local politicians, including Guto Bebb MP, to discuss on farm policy and funding post Brexit at the FUW stand throughout the day.

FUW Caernarfonshire County Executive Officer Gwynedd Watkin 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.”

[caption id="attachment_6792" align="alignleft" width="300"] Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths, Eirlys Thomas and FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas[/caption]

A delegation of Farmers’ Union of Wales officials meet with Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths (Monday, August 15) to discuss the wider economic and social importance of agriculture to the rural and urban economy as well as the importance of encouraging the next generation into the industry.

The meeting was held at Llwyncelyn Lan farm, Llanfyrnach – home of FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas who has been farming here since 1988. The delegation then visited Mansel Davies & Son Ltd. to discuss the history and nature of the business and its interrelationship with the agricultural industry and rural economy.

Brian Thomas, who farms 280 acres, 30 acres of which is woodland, in North Pembrokeshire, runs a herd of 100 beef shorthorn cattle and a flock of 300 ewes, with cereals also being grow.

Speaking after the meeting about why farming matters to our rural economy, FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas said: “ I would first of all like to thank Lesley Griffiths for meeting us here at my home farm. We had wide ranging discussions on farming matters and used the opportunity to highlight the important role farming plays in our rural economy.

“If we are to encourage the next generation to take up farming it has to be viable for them. Looking around here there are only 1 in 8 farms that have children who want to take over the family business. The average age of farmers in my local area is 60 plus, so we need to put measures in place that ensure these farms have a future for the sake of our rural economy.

[caption id="attachment_6791" align="alignright" width="300"] Pembrokeshire FUW representative John Savins, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths and FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas[/caption]

“I see the future for farming in youth. However, with farm household incomes averaging around £13,000 a year and working hours exceeding 60 + per week - why would they? Due to the nature of the business we are only ever 1 step away from a crisis.

“Our farming businesses provide stability for the rural economy, income for our children and our families and hold communities together. We now have an opportunity to do something great - and that is shaping our own future in terms of markets and legislations, a point we made clear to the Cabinet Secretary here today.”

Highlighting how important the second and third sector businesses are in making the wheels of our rural economies go round, were Stephen and Kaye Mansel Davies of Mansel Davies & Son Ltd.

The company was established in 1875 by the late John Davies. Mansel Davies, his son, joined the business in 1900 and the company still uses that name today. The company is now run by Kaye Mansel Davies (Chairman), 4th generation, and his son Stephen Mansel Davies (Managing Director) - the next generation are already involved in the company.

[caption id="attachment_6793" align="alignleft" width="300"] (l-r) Stephen Mansel Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths, Kaye Mansel Davies, FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas and FUW President Glyn Roberts[/caption]

They currently employ over 300 people and operate 180 trucks, with all of its employees living within a 40 mile radius of Llanfyrnach. Apart from the local authority and the oil refinery they are the largest employers in Pembrokeshire with an annual turnover just short of £30 million.

Stephen Mansel Davies highlighted that 90% of the company's work is linked to agricultural, saying that: “We are the largest milk haulier in Wales, collecting 1.4 million litres per day for 7 different buyers and doing UK distribution for a further two buyers. Our total milk or milk products movements comes to about 4 million litres per day.”

The company delivers milk and milk products into processors in Newcastle Emlyn, Llangefni, South Caernarfon, Felinfach, Acton, London, Southampton, Droitwich , Bridgewater, Westbury, North Tawton, Aylesbury, Chester, Severnside and a number of other factories around the UK.

Another important sector of the business is the distribution of animal feed in the area. Mansel Davies & Son are also the largest suppliers of ground limestone, which they also spread on to the land for soil neutralisation.

Following the meeting with the Cabinet Secretary, Stephen Mansel Davies said: “All of those who are involved in Government need to understand  how important agriculture is to Wales - it's the only sustainable long term industry we have. When you look at the numbers employed directly and indirectly into the sector it is far more important than people and Government give it credit for.

[caption id="attachment_6790" align="alignright" width="300"] (l-r) FUW President Glyn Roberts, Stephen Mansel Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths and Kaye Mansel Davies[/caption]

“Agriculture and in particular the dairy industry, has just gone through very hard times with farm gate prices dropping in the region of 30% which is not sustainable. As a direct result of low milk prices we have seen volumes drop 11% from July 15 to July 16. If managed correctly I think Brexit could bring long term positives to Agriculture - the important part will be the management by government of the transition period and the short term.”

The Union will continue to highlight how much farming matters , through regular meetings with key decisions makers, industry stakeholders, as well as Governments in Westminster and Cardiff.