News that a new sugar tax on the soft drinks industry will be introduced in two years' time as outlined in George Osborne’s 2016 budget, has been welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

The levy is to be calculated on levels of sugar in sweetened drinks produced and imported, based on two bands but pure fruit juice and milk-based drinks are to be excluded and small supplies will be exempt.

“This is very welcome news as we aim to have a healthier population. Current levels of obesity are unsustainable and the obesity problem among young people is so bad that the present generation of parents may be the first to bury their children,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

“As such we advocate a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and milk has a part to play in that.

“In light of this we welcome that milk-based drinks are excluded from the sugar tax and encourage parents to ensure that their children get to drink the recommended amount of milk per day,” he added.

The Union further welcomed that fuel duty is to be frozen for the sixth year in a row as a rise could have a devastating effect on the Welsh farming industry.

“Fuel price rises could have a devastating result for farmers and all the rural communities in general as a car is essential in the countryside with public transport being so poor,” said Mr Roberts.

Commenting on the Capital Gains Tax cut from 28 percent to 20 percent, and from 18 percent to 10 percent for basic-rate taxpayers, FUW Director of Finance David Parker said: “This is a positive move for any farmers who are selling any or all of their farm.

“We must also welcome the Commercial stamp duty 0 percent rate on purchases up to £150,000, 2 percent on next £100,000 and 5 percent top rate above £250,000.

“The young person’s ISA is of importance to self-employed people enabling up to £4000 p.a. to be saved tax free up to the age of 50 with government adding 25 percent bonus to savings.

“This is possibly where the wider pensions market will be heading over the next few years with tax relief on the receipt of pensions rather than tax relief at the point of saving.

“This provides a new vehicle for younger self-employed people to commence pension savings aided by the government contribution and must be welcomed,” he added.

[caption id="attachment_6251" align="alignleft" width="380"] Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb, Prime Minister David Cameron and FUW President Glyn Roberts[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales met with Prime Minister David Cameron last week to reinforce the importance of staying in the EU from an agriculture perspective.

The FUW has for many years maintained a clear position on Wales’ membership of the European Union, and was the first Union to declare its support for the ‘Stronger in Europe’ campaign.

“We were honoured to meet with Prime Minister David Cameron last week to discuss how a Brexit would affect farming businesses and were pleased to hear him reinforce the message that we are stronger in Europe,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

The visit took place at Tyfos, Corwen, a farming enterprise extending to over 1,000 acres of land in the Dee Valley and in the Berwyn Mountains.

The Williams family moved to Tyfos over 100 years ago and Richard and David are the fourth generation at the farm.

Over the years there has been a substantial expansion of the enterprise. The business partnership is always extremely keen to reinvest in the farm enterprise by diversifying into renewable energy and this has already involved installing solar panels and a small 30 Kwh hydro scheme and an anaerobic digester.

“As a Union we will continue to support the ‘Stronger in Europe’ campaign so that fifth generation family farms such as Tyfos have a future in agriculture,” added Mr Roberts.

The severity of the uncertainty of a Brexit is becoming clearer to the agricultural industry as the Prime Minister further announced that if farmers had to rely on World Trade Organisation rules rather than EU membership to secure access to the European market, farmers could be faced with tariffs costing £240m a year for beef and £90m for lamb.

“We have to be clear on the facts before we cast our vote - a vote that will affect our future generations and the sustainability and viability of our rural economies.

“A Brexit would mean that farmers still have to comply with all the current rules and regulations but would not have any say on what they are or how future legislation is shaped,” added Mr Roberts.

[caption id="attachment_6250" align="alignleft" width="225"] FUW Managing Director Alan Davies with Prime Minister David Cameron[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6242" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] FUW urges dog walkers to keep their pets on a lead when walking the countryside[/caption]

The utter shocking and devastating images circulating around once again of sheep who have been savagely attacked by dogs and died as a result come as a stark warning to those who are thinking of enjoying the countryside this Easter break with their dog on the loose.

Recent Police figures reveal that there have been 68 attacks on sheep over the last year in Wales, a figure far too high according to the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

“Looking at these figures - even one attack is one too many,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

With the weather improving and the Easter holidays around the corner many people are going to visit the countryside to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery in Wales but with lambing in full swing the FUW is asking dog walkers to take extra care to reduce the risks to heavily pregnant ewes and newly born lambs.

“Recently we have seen an overall increase in the UK in sheep being attacked and this is why we are calling on the support of the public to help minimise incidents of attacks on livestock by dogs.

“The weather is warming up and many people want to visit the countryside, so we are appealing to dog owners to follow the Countryside Code to keep their dogs under close control, preferably on a lead when using public paths where livestock is present.

“Of course we don’t want to alienate dog walkers by advocating draconian measures, but we would ask that owners keep dogs on a lead around livestock,” added Mr Roberts.

The Union has supported the Farmers Guardian ‘Take the Lead’ campaign since its launch in 2014 and continues to spread the message to the farming and non-farming community.

“If you see livestock in a field, even if there is a public footpath, please keep your dog on a lead. Sheep suffer greatly when they are chased, worried or attacked by dogs and ewes may be extra protective of their young at this time of year.

“We want to work with the public on this matter and hope that with a common sense approach we can all enjoy the countryside together and keep our livestock and pets safe,” added Mr Roberts.

[caption id="attachment_6239" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] FUW Anglesey County Chairman Tegwyn Jones, FUW Anglesey County Executive Officer Heidi V Williams, FUW President Glyn Roberts, FUW Senior Policy Officer Hazel Wright, Hub Cymru Africa representative Bran Devey and Lis Perkins of Fair Trade Wales[/caption]

A Fair Trade Big Breakfast has been organised by the Anglesey branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales in support of the National Fair Trade campaign “Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers!”. The breakfast was held on Wednesday, March 9 at Cartio Môn Karting, Bodedern and was attended by over 50 farmers and raised £600 for the British Heart Foundation Cymru.

Joining the breakfast were representatives of Fair Trade Wales, FUW President Glyn Roberts who talked about fair prices for Welsh Farmers and FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright provided an update on climate change and how it has affected Welsh farming.

In 2008 Wales became the first ever “Fair Trade Nation” and the FUW announced its support for Fair Trade at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in December that year.Since then the FUW has been working closely with Fair Trade Wales to highlight the need for farmers all over the world to get paid a fair price so that food security can be achieved across the globe.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “While our produce and farming methods are on the one hand extremely different, there are many similarities between our major issues of concern.
“Despite our differences, the principle that a farmer should receive a fair price for his produce transcends international boundaries, and is one that we should all support, whether as individuals or as organisations – and this principle should also extend to procurement by public bodies.”

Brân Devey of Hub Cymru Africa who attended the event on behalf of Fair Trade Wales said: “It was great to see the support for Fairtrade by the farmers at the breakfast during Fairtrade fortnight.

“By choosing both locally sourced and Fairtrade products you are able to support food producers locally and internationally.
“Fair trade doesn’t just mean a better price for us as farmers, choosing fair trade means choosing a better environment, sustainable growth, education and much more.”

The FUW believes Welsh farmers who want a fair price for their lambs in the market should also want a fair price for coffee farmers in other countries.

FUW Anglesey County Executive Officer Heidi V Williams, who organised the Fair Trade Big Breakfast, said: “I would like to thank all our members, staff and guests who supported the event. It demonstrates the Union backing of this worthwhile national campaign on a local level and highlighted the issues facing the industry and the importance that farmers are paid a fair price for their produce.

“I must also of course thank all those attended for helping to raise such a great amount of money for BHF Cymru.”