The Insurance arm of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is today reminding its customers to be aware of the cost of burst pipes, as the cold weather approaches.

The reminder follows the launch of the ‘Wrap Up Wales’ campaign by D?r Cymru Welsh Water, who say that unprotected water pipes, which could burst after freezing weather conditions , could cost thousands of pounds to repair.

D?r Cymru Welsh Water have said that the problem is usually linked to pipes that are exposed to very low temperatures, such as those in garages, sheds and other outhouses and can of course be found aplenty on farms.

“Burst pipes can be very expensive to fix, not just on farm but also in the home and we urge our customers to follow the advice provided by D?r Cymru Welsh Water to ensure that they don’t have to go through the hassle of dealing with burst pipes,” said FUW managing director Mark Roberts.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), severe cold weather experienced during the winter of 2010 saw around 3,500 calls a day being made to insurers to report frozen pipes at its peak. An average repair cost for damage caused by bursts pipes can be up to £7,000.

FUW Insurance and D?r Cymru Welsh Water would advise the following to prevent pipes from freezing:
• Make sure you know the location of your stop tap so you can reach it quickly in an emergency (TIP: It's often under the kitchen sink).
• Make sure any exposed pipes are wrapped or lagged.
• Keep an eye out for frozen pipes, bursts or leaks.
• Fix dripping taps – a gentle trickle of water can freeze and completely block the pipe

In the event of pipes freezing the advice issued is:

• Find your internal stop tap and turn it off.
• Turn on nearby cold taps, to allow the water to escape when it thaws.
• Don't turn hot taps on until the central heating is switched off.
• Move things that might be damaged if the pipe bursts when the water thaws.
• Apply a hot water bottle or hot wet towel to a frozen pipe.
• If you notice a leak after thawing, turn off the internal stop tap and call a plumber.
• If you are unsure of anything at any time call a plumber who is registered with the WaterSafe scheme at www.watersafe.org.uk

D?r Cymru Welsh Water are asking customer to take the Wrap Up Wales test at www.WrapUpWales.com and can get themselves a free lagging kit.

Advice on insulating water pipes can be seen on the Welsh Water website http://www.dwrcymru.com/en/My-Water/Prepare-your-home-for-winter.aspx

[caption id="attachment_5897" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FUW Denbigh chairman John Roberts and FUW Denbigh president Iwan Jones with HCC's Industry and Market Information Officer John Richards, Owain Bebb a’i gwmni accountant Rhys Harris, Eifion Bibby of Davis Meade and Director of Padog Farms Ltd Dafydd Wynne Finch.[/caption]

Denbighshire members of the Farmers’ Union of Wales came together at a recent annual general meeting to discuss EU membership, young entrants and the Finance Act 2015.

The event, which was held at the Brookhouse Mill on Monday November 9, welcomed Director of Padog Farms Ltd Dafydd Wynne Finch, Owain Bebb a’i gwmni accountant Rhys Harris, Eifion Bibby of Davis Meade and HCC's Industry and Market Information Officer John Richards as their guest speakers.

“Despite the poor weather many of our members attended and held interesting and varied discussion. It was nice to hear plenty of questions being asked by members, which ranged from are we better in or out of EU to a question about how do we get young farmers back into the industry,” said FUW Denbigh and Flintshire county executive officer Mari Dafydd Jones.

EU membership is a topic the FUW is quite clear on, having long recognised the value of remaining a part of one of the largest common markets and trading blocks in the world, and the irreparable damage caused to farm and food businesses as a result of our exclusion from the EU market during the BSE and Foot and Mouth disease crises stand as testament to the dangers of being locked out of Europe.

“We know that there are plenty of young enthusiastic people who wish to enter the industry and we also know that there are those looking at the future of their farms who don’t necessarily want to relinquish everything, so it was good to discuss succession with our members in an open format,” she added.

Mr Finch focused his presentation on how important discussion groups are in developing the industry through upskilling people and sharing information and he also discussed the topic of succession. Lamb prices and HCC marketing strategies and Europe were discussed by John Richards; Mr Harris gave a presentation on the Finance Act 2015 and discussed 10 main points including changes to capital allowances and averaging profits and Mr Bibby talked about buying and renting land, the Renting Homes (Wales) bill and the trading of entitlements.

“I would like to thank the speakers and members for attending a very successful evening and hope they all enjoyed the evening as much as I did. It was nice to see new members attending and we hope to see them again soon,” added Mari.

[caption id="attachment_5892" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FUW younger voice for farming committee chairman Darren Williams (l) highlighted CAP concerns to EU Agricultural Commissioner Phil Hogan (r) in July[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5893" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Darren Williams highlighted key elements that need simplifying during a farm visit with Commissioner Phil Hogan over the summer[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed moves announced by EU Agricultural Commissioner Phil Hogan aimed at simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy and reducing red tape for farmers and administrations.

The announcement, made by the Commissioner at the Council of Ministers meeting held on Tuesday November 17, includes the introduction in 2016 of preventive preliminary checks as part of the Basic Payment application process and a more proportionate approach to on-the-spot checks. However, the Commissioner also outlined further simplification measures which would be drawn up in 2016.

Speaking after the announcement, FUW president Glyn Roberts said: “Despite a previous EU commitment to simplifying the new CAP, the rules have become even more burdensome in the last year.

“As such, we welcome the changes and commitments announced by Commissioner Hogan, key elements of which have been called for repeatedly by the Farmers’ Union of Wales, including in response to the Commissioner’s call for suggestions earlier this year.”

Mr Roberts said many farmers would be frustrated at the rate at which such changes were likely to be introduced and how these would be interpreted by the Welsh Government.

“However, Mr Hogan’s commitment to continuing to work on simplification, rather than making a ‘big bang’ announcement then closing the door is welcome.”

The announcement included:
• Allowing administrations to identify problems with Basic Payment applications so that even up to 35 days after the final date of submission corrections can be made without the application of penalties
• Under certain circumstances, allowing administrations to target on-the-spot checks to where they will have greatest effect in order to reduce the burden for farmers and administrations alike
• Providing farmers with further possibilities in terms of modifying their declarations regarding the use of agricultural parcels for the purpose of BPS greening requirements
• A commitment to consider how the penalty system can be adjusted to ensure penalty levels are not disproportionate and accurately reflect the seriousness or otherwise of any breach of scheme rules while maintaining sound financial management of budgets

“We look forward to further announcements over the coming months in line with those priority areas identified by the FUW,” added Mr Roberts.

[caption id="attachment_5884" align="aligncenter" width="300"] (l-r) Welsh Dairy Show committee chairman Lynn Davies, HSBC agriculture relationship manager Sarah Raymond, Revd Canon Eileen Davies, FUW deputy president Brian Thomas and Welsh Dairy Show president Brian Jones.[/caption]

The Reverend Canon Eileen Davies, BTh, ARAgS has been recognised for her services to agriculture with the Farmers’ Union of Wales/United Counties Agricultural & Hunters Society award.
The award is presented to the person judged to have made the most outstanding contribution to agriculture in Carmarthenshire during the past few years.

Eileen was born at Aberdauddwr, Llanllwni, a family farm and after getting married to Dyfrig Davies in 1990 became a partner in the family farm at Gwndwn, Llanllwni where she continues to farm with her husband and son, Owain.

It is a 300 acre mixed farm where they milk 75 pedigree Holstein cows under the prefix ‘Llanllwni’ and they also keep 200 commercial breeding ewes.

In 2013, Canon Eileen Davies was honoured by the Royal Welsh Society by being presented with the Associate of the Royal Agricultural Society for her work supporting people working in agriculture who are in need.

FUW deputy president Brian Thomas, who presented Canon Davies with the award, said: “The judges were delighted by the high calibre of candidates presented to them this year but the Rev Canon Eileen Davies stood out for her work in assisting farmers and rural communities in their hour of need.

“We can only be grateful for people like Eileen Davies and it is therefore an honour to present her with this award.”

She is a past, faithful and successful member of Carmarthenshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs and attended Llanllwni YFC where she was club chairman between 1984 and 1985.
Also she served as club secretary and club treasurer and later became a dedicated club leader and more recently was president of the club.

During her time as a member of the YFC, Eileen gained great success at county, Wales and national level of England and Wales arranging flowers, poultry trussing and jointing, stock judging, public speaking, drama and half an hour’s entertainment competitions.

In 1985, she became a county attendant and in 1989 served as an exceptional county queen.

The following year due to her commitment, Eileen was nominated as county chairman and gained great respect during her year in office.

In 2001, although already busy, Eileen decided to become a part time priest and after studying for three years was ordained at St. David’s Cathedral in 2005.

Between 2004 and 2008 she served as a Curate at Lampeter and Llanddewi Brefi. In 2005 she was elected as the rural co-ordinator for the St. David’s diocese, a post she holds until the present day. In 2008, she gained the Bachelor of Theology degree and from then until the present has been a full time vicar at Llanerchaeron, Ciliauaeron, Dihewyd and Mydroilyn churches.

In 2012, Eileen became an honorary Canon at the diocese of St. David’s and 2014 became an official full time Canon at the diocese.

In 2015 in the name of the St. David’s diocese, Eileen Davies established “Tir Dewi”, an initiative which aims to provide a listening ear for local farmers facing modern day challenges and aims to provide them with support and guidance to help them through the difficult times.

Carmarthenshire YFC county organiser, Eirios Thomas, who nominated Canon Davies on behalf of the county, said: “Eileen has worked tirelessly for the agricultural and rural communities of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion for many years and has been a listening ear to many when they have been at their lowest.

“People feel they can turn to Eileen and discuss matters in total confidence due to her understanding of the agricultural and rural communities. The respect people have towards this lady is incredible.

“She is professional and yet approachable in her work and I have followed and supported her career throughout the years. She is truly worthy of being recognised for all her hard work in our agricultural and rural communities.”