In the run-up to the 2016 Welsh Assembly elections, branches of the Farmers’ Union of Wales have organised hustings throughout the month of April, to provide members and friends of the union with an opportunity to quiz election candidates across Wales.

“It is essential for farmers and landowners to have the opportunity to question and query party candidates as well as hearing their views on the future of rural Wales,” said FUW Managing Director Alan Davies.

“I urge our members to attend their local hustings event, so that they can make a fully informed decision on May 5,” added Mr Davies.

Candidates for all the parties were invited but not all have accepted the invitation.

The Brecon and Radnor branch are holding a hustings on Tuesday, April 5 at the FUW Pavilion, RWAS showground, Builth Wells commencing at 7pm.

Confirmed candidates for the event are Grenville Ham (Green Party), Freddie Greeves (Plaid Cymru), Gary Price (Conservative) and Kirsty Williams (Liberal Democrats).

Speaking at the Glamorgan hustings on Wednesday, April 6 at St Mary’s Hotel, Pencoed, commencing at 7.30pm will be Andrew RT Davies (Conservative), Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour) and Denis Campbell (Liberal Democrats).

On Tuesday, April 19, the Carmarthen branch will be hosting their event at The White Hart Inn, Llandeilo and the Pembrokeshire branch is holding their event at the Mariners Hotel, Haverfordwest. Both hustings commence at 7.30pm.

Confirmed for the Carmarthen husting are Cllr Aled Davies (Conservatives), William Powell (Liberal Democrats) and Adam Price (Plaid Cymru ).

Speakers confirmed for the Pembrokeshire hustings are Paul Davies (Conservative), Val Bradley (Green Party), Dan Lodge (Labour), Bob Kilmister (Liberal Democrats) and John Osmond  (Plaid Cymru).

Ceredigion farmers have the opportunity to quiz their prospective candidates on Thursday, April 21 at Lampeter Rugby Club at 7.30pm.  Elizabeth Evans  (Liberal Democrats), Elin Jones (Plaid Cymru) and Gethin James (UKIP) have confirmed their attendance. A Green Party representative will be there but have not confirmed who at this stage.

Further hustings will be held on Wednesday, April 27 at Anglesey showground with Julia Dobson (Labour), Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru), Clay Theakston (Conservatives) and Aled Roberts (Liberal Democrats) confirmed to attend.

The Montgomeryshire branch of the FUW is holding their hustings on Monday, May 2, at Welshpool mart. Russell George (Conservative), Jane Dodds (Liberal Democrats) and Aled Hughes (Plaid Cymru) have confirmed their attendance.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy as it is in communities across Wales and the UK. It is essential that the Welsh Government and those in power after the May 5 elections recognise the importance of supporting our industry,” added Mr Davies.

Welsh Government have commissioned Bristol University to undertake a sheep scab survey in conjunction with HCC, NSA and WLBP.  The aim of the survey is to determine the incidence of sheep scab in Wales in order to inform future eradication programmes.

The FUW is therefore encouraging members to fill in the survey in order to ensure that the results are a fair representation of the disease in Wales.

Sheep Scab Survey

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has today congratulated Ceredigion County Council for joining the Union it in its efforts to eradicate Bovine TB from Wales.

In light of the complete breakdown of the inadequate current non-scientific vaccination programme the Council considered a motion that called on the Welsh Government and all political parties to support and implement a programme of targeted badger culling.

This has been a long standing demand of the Farmers’ Union of Wales: “On average over 150 cattle a week, many perfectly healthy, are destroyed every week in Wales as a result of a weak-willed effort to eradicate Bovine TB” said Alan Davies, Managing Director of the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

“The pressures under which our members and many other farmers operate as a result of many failed Bovine TB interventions, generate enormous strain on families and communities. This has to stop and the only sensible way forward is to adopt a proactive programme of Badger control. That means culling”

Political parties may find it difficult to respond positively to this demand as the emotive language of culling jeopardises political support. “That is totally unacceptable as a response: livelihoods are at risk, physical and mental health is challenged and families suffer incredibly when dealing with an outbreak of TB. We must therefore stop protecting badgers and institute positive, proactive controls to reduce the badger population significantly.”

[caption id="attachment_6264" align="alignleft" width="300"] Lord Dafydd Wigley, FUW President Glyn Roberts, FUW Managing Director Alan Davies and David Jones MP[/caption]

Two political heavyweights went head to head at today’s Farmers’ Union of Wales EU debate, putting the spotlight firmly on the upcoming referendum.

The FUW was the first Union out of the starting block to host Lord Dafydd Wigley from the ‘Stronger in Europe’ campaign and David Jones MP, a former Secretary of State for Wales, at the debate, which was held at IBERS, Aberystwyth.

The event was attended by over a hundred FUW members and members of other farming Unions in Wales and firmly confirmed why the FUW has been a strong supporter of remaining part of the European Union.

Alan Davies, FUW Managing Director, who chaired the debate, said: “We have got the ball rolling and the FUW’s role in kick starting the platform for a debate is invaluable to agriculture and to Wales’ rural economy.

“The agri industry needs to be informed on all the aspects of what it means for us to leave the EU and what it will mean for us to remain part of the EU.

“Today was the first out of a series of 4 EU debates that will continue after the Welsh Assembly elections in the run-up to June 23 as we strive to provide our members with as much information as possible so they can make an informed decision when it comes to the vote.”

[caption id="attachment_6265" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Rt Hon. the Lord Wigley[/caption]

Arguing for the UK to stay part of Europe was Lord Dafydd Wigley, who said: “As far as the agricultural industry here in Wales is concerned I have no doubt whatsoever that the arguments for remaining part of the European Union are totally overwhelming in terms of our market share, in terms of the financial aid we get from Europe, in terms of our ability to build on the markets we have already developed and have the potential to do more. The argument for Welsh agriculture must be to remain part of the European Union.”

[caption id="attachment_6266" align="alignright" width="300"] The Rt Hon David Jones MP[/caption]

Making the case for a Brexit was David Jones MP, a former Secretary of State for Wales, who said: “I am pleased to be here at the FUW EU referendum debate, which is extremely important and it is particularly important for farmers to hear both sides of the argument.

“I know that the FUW has taken a corporate position to support remaining part of the EU, but that may not be the opinion of all of its membership, so I think it’s an important part of democracy that we have these debates.”