Over ?recent  months, the Farmers’ Union of Wales has met with many major UK retailers to highlight the current and future concerns of the Welsh dairy sector following the sustained downturn in dairy commodity prices.

“Sustained low prices, coupled with the recent review of the dairy sector in Wales and the abolition of milk quotas in April, created a perfect storm and presented a prime opportunity for the union to actively discuss dairy farmer concerns and aspirations with UK retailers,” said FUW senior policy officer Dr Hazel Wright.

Many of the major retailers have attempted to foster public loyalty by publicising the prices paid to farmers on retailer aligned contracts and the union acknowledges that these prices tend to be at the higher end of the league table.

However, in Wales, such contracts account for just 4 percent of the milk produced  and this is very low compared to the 25 percent of milk production that is on retailer aligned contracts in the UK.  With this in mind, the FUW has been a strong proponent of expanding the Groceries Code Adjudicator’s powers to cover all dairy producers and not just those on retailer aligned contracts.

During discussions with retailers, the union aimed to ensure that time was given to highlight the impact of retailer price battles and the associated effect that such ?aggressive competition has  upon Welsh and UK producers.

Dr Wright stressed that price wars remain one of the most prominent tactics in UK retailer armouries but warned that this tactic inevitably leads to important and staple products, such as those involving dairy, being ?used in a bid to enhance ?market shares?.

“It is imperative that Welsh dairy producers are not expected to enlist in retailer price battles.  Is it not, and never has been, the job of the producer to fund supermarket price cuts or to enhance a retailer’s market share.  Sacrificing producers to a retailer price war can only function to further break an already fractured supply chain,” added Dr Wright.

Alongside concerted lobbying on the powers conferred to the Groceries Code Adjudicator, the FUW would also seek to ensure that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) takes greater responsibility for ?investigating and reviewing the  UK dairy markets in order to improve the way in which ?the sector works for both producers and consumers.

“The CMA is the UK’s lead competition and consumer authority and has the power to scrutinise the functioning of markets for the benefit of businesses and consumers.  Much of the work of the CMA has focused on issues pertaining to the payday lending market and the union believes that the groceries retail market would benefit from similar scrutiny,” said Dr Wright

“Whilst the FUW found the meetings to be informative and constructive, there remains much work to be done before the UK dairy supply chain fully works to the benefit of Welsh producers.  The union hopes to continue its working relationship with UK retailers in the future and looks forward to being an active and prominent member of the Welsh Dairy Leadership Board that was mooted in the Welsh dairy review,” added Dr Wright.

[caption id="attachment_5318" align="aligncenter" width="284"] New FUW insurance adviser, Clare Morris[/caption]

The Insurance Services arm of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has appointed a new insurance adviser at its head office in Aberystwyth.

Ms Clare Morris, 28, who lives in Capel Bangor with her partner Jason, has joined the 60 person strong Insurance team at the beginning of April and will provide administrative support to the Insurance services branch network across Wales.

“I am looking forward to a progressive career within the FUW Insurance Services, and hope my wealth of knowledge will be of an asset to the company,“ said Ms Morris.

Prior to joining FUW Insurance Services, Clare worked for local broker Rees Astley where she proved herself a valued member of staff.

FUW Insurance Services managing director Mark Roberts said: “This new appointment is in addition to our recent creation of the sales manager role for David Lush, the claims handler role for Sally Phillips in Lampeter and the insurance administrator roles for Sophie Rees and Becci Heath in Newtown and Carmarthen.

“Area officers’ will soon have more support and assistance than at any time in our 60 year history; we will be launching new schemes through new insurers with rates, cover and service that will be the envy of our competitors. Our future is looking bright!”

[caption id="attachment_5313" align="aligncenter" width="300"] (from left to right) FUW Glamorgan county chairman Richard Walker, FUW Finance and Organisation committee south Wales member Brian Bowen, Ashley Yeo and FUW Glamorgan county president John Llewellyn.[/caption]

A new area officer has joined the FUW Insurance services team in Glamorgan to replace long standing employee Nia Jones who has retired and emigrated to France with her husband at the beginning of the year.

Ashley Yeo, who grew up and lives in Gorseinon, Swansea with his partner, has nearly 10 years’ experience in the insurance industry and has previously worked for Admiral as well as two other commercial insurance brokers.

“I very much look forward to increasing our customer base and hope to be a vocal and trusted area officer in South Glamorgan for FUW Insurance services,” said Mr Yeo.

FUW Insurance services managing director Mark Roberts said: “These are very exciting times for the insurance arm of the Farmers’ Union of Wales and we are look forward to working with enthusiastic, energetic and skilled people like Ashley to drive our business forward.”

“Members and customers wishing to contact me about any insurance issues they may have can reach me in the Carmarthen office on 01267 222570 and mobile 07850 653421 or email me This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ,” added Mr Yeo.

[caption id="attachment_5310" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Life Insurance Consultant, Mark Williams[/caption]

FUW Insurance Services have appointed a new Life Insurance Consultant to progress the organisation in the Pure Protection insurance market.

Mr Mark Williams, 48, from Felinfoel, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, joins the FUW insurance team with plenty of experience after previously having worked for the Cooperative Insurance Society for 14 years.

Mark, who has also been an Independent Financial Adviser for the last 9 years, said: “I am very excited by my appointment as The Life Insurance Consultant with the FUW Insurance Services Ltd.

“I feel that, in my experience, people are keen to cover their cars, houses, farms, commercial vans etc, but sometimes neglect to protect the most important thing in their lives - their family. I look forward to advising new and existing customers on this area and offer this service to FUW customers.”

Mark is married to Angela, who is an insurance administrator in the Carmarthen office and has three children, Ben 17, Sam 14 and Rosie 10.

“Our direct selling of Pure Protection products such as mortgage protection insurance, critical illness cover and income protection is a new venture for FUW Insurance Services, having for many years simply acted as an introducer of these products. I am convinced that with Mark’s knowledge, experience and expertise in this market, this new venture will prove a huge success,” said FUW Insurance Services managing director Mark Roberts.