[caption id="attachment_4680" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] (from left) FUW Meirionnydd county branch president, Robert Wyn Evans, Welsh Government director of agriculture, food and marine, Andrew Slade, shadow minister for sustainable communities for Plaid Cymru, Llyr Huws Gruffydd AM and Hafod y Llan, Nant Gwynant farm manager and former FUW director of policy Arwyn Owen.[/caption]

Meirionnydd members of the Farmers’ Union of Wales discussed the current state of the agricultural industry and its future direction at the recent county annual general meeting (January 30) at Clwb Rygbi, Dolgellau. 

The meeting was chaired by FUW Meirionnydd county branch president, Robert Wyn Evans and speakers for the evening included shadow minister for sustainable communities for Plaid Cymru, Llyr Huws Gruffydd AM, Welsh Government director of agriculture, food and marine, Andrew Slade and Hafod y Llan, Nant Gwynant farm manager and former FUW director of policy Arwyn Owen. 

FUW county executive officer Huw Jones, who gave a short report of the branch’s activities during 2014 at the start of the meeting, said: “Once again we have had a strong representation of members from all parts of the county. The meeting was an ideal opportunity to consider the future of the industry in the short and medium term.  

“Amongst the many subjects we discussed was the outcome of the Moorland Judicial Review in the context of the Basic Payment Scheme, and the current modelling work undertaken in preparation for future payment methods. We discussed the possibility of an extended transition period, and also the possibility of a tiered system of payments.”

Once again the Caernarfonshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales rang the wake-up alarm bells to promote the wonderful food produced in Wales and highlight the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast during last month’s annual Farmhouse Breakfast Week (January 25 to 31). 

And as result of the generosity of all throughout the county, the branch were able to raise not just the profile of the great Welsh breakfast produce, but also raised an amazing £7,000 for charity. The money will be split between the union president’s chosen charities Ty Gobaith and Ty Hafan as well as Wales Air Ambulance and British Heart Foundation Wales. 

Seven functions were held across the county in support of the annual Farmhouse Breakfast Week campaign, which has been organised every year since 2000 by the Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA).  

A warm welcome and a full Welsh breakfast was prepared by Anwen Jones and Sara Evans of Lleuar Fawr, Penygroes, Anita Thomas of Ty’n Hendre, Tal-y-bont, Bangor, Annwen Williams of Hirdre Fawr, Tudweiliog, Ifora Owen of Glyn Uchaf, Tynygroes, Conwy, Rhian Jones of Cae’r Graig, Efailnewydd, Pwllheli, Eleri Roberts of Dylasau Uchaf, Padog near Betws y Coed and Anne Franz at her café in Bryncir, all supported by their neighbours and friends. 

“The theme for HGCA’s campaign ‘Shake Up Your Wake Up’ encourages us to make small changes to our morning routine to make sure you have time for breakfast every day. And it is as always down to the little things that make a huge difference to people’s lives,” said FUW Caernarfonshire county executive officer Gwynedd Watkin.  

“Having a good meal to start off the day helps the body through the rest of the day, and what better way than to eat local produce to do just that. 

“Through hosting these breakfast functions we were able to bring our community together for more than just one good cause and I thank all our staff and members and of course those who have helped to make these breakfasts such a huge success, not only for Welsh food produce but also for our wonderful charities,” added Mr Watkin. 

“I would also like to thank all the businesses that donated the food for the breakfasts for which we are extremely grateful and without which we could never have raised such a fantastic amount of money: South Caernarfon Creamery; Cotteswold Dairies; Llaeth y Llan – Village Dairy; Dafydd Wyn Jones, Butcher, Caernarfon; O G Owen, Butcher, Caernarfon; Harlech Frozen Foods, Four Crosses; Elystan Metcalf, Butcher, Llanrwst; Glasfryn Farm Shop, Four Crosses; Asda; Ieuan Edwards, Butcher, Conwy; John Williams & Son, Butcher, Llanfairfechan; Spar, Nefyn; Co-op, Llanfairfechan; Dafydd Povey, Family Butcher, Chwilog; K.E.Taylor, Butcher, Cricieth; G.Williams & Sons, Butcher, Bangor; DJ Fruit & Veg, Cricieth; Stermat, Gaerwen; A.L. Williams, Butcher, Edern; Siop Min y Nant, Caernarfon; Ian Jones Wyau Penygroes; Popty’r Foel, Llanllyfni; Llechwedd Meats, Llangefni; Ann Williams, Bryn Teg, Tudweiliog; Gwen Jones, Ty’n Rhos, Tudweiliog; Tudweiliog Post Office; Morfa Nefyn Garage; Moch Ll?n, Penarfynydd, Y Rhiw; Bryn Jones, Cig Ceirion Butcher, Sarn; G&S Supplies, Dinas; Oinc Oink, Llithfaen; Wyau Plas, Llwyndyrus; Becws Glanrhyd Bakery, Llanaelhearn; AF Blakemore, Bangor; Tesco; Morrisons; Welsh Lady, Four Crosses; Wyau Ochr Cefn Isaf Eggs, Ysbyty Ifan; Belmot, Llanddoged; Popty Tandderwen, Betws y Coed; L & R.O Jones Butcher, Llanrwst; Bookers Cash & Carry, Llandudno Junction; Ceri Owen, T? Mawr, Bryngwran; Dei Hughes, Pencraig Uchaf, Betws y Coed; Islyn Bakery, Aberdaron; Popty Pen Uchaf, Ysbyty Ifan; Popty Lleuar, Penygroes and Emyr Evans Tractors” added Mr Watkin.

[caption id="attachment_4673" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Ifora Owen (red striped apron) with her team of Ruth, Margaret, Eleri, Mair and Margaret.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4674" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Anwen Jones, Sara Evans, Elliw Evans, Gwenda Evans and Bethan Lloyd Jones hosted the Lleuar Fawr breakfast[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4675" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Anita Thomas (red apron) with Eleri, Jan and Eirwen ably assisted by Osian[/caption]

The Farmers' Union of Wales has rejected proposals to ratchet up Red Tractor Farm Assurance rules on the grounds that it would add to bureaucracy and increase costs along the whole supply chain.

A consultation issued in January by Assured Food Standards on the Red Tractor Assurance scheme proposes that cattle should only achieve farm assured status if they have spent all their lives on assured farms – under the current rules animals achieve the same status after 90 days on a Red Tractor assured farm.

However, Farmers’ Union of Wales members have rejected the proposal, saying it will increase costs for farmers throughout the supply chain without any guarantee that sufficient premiums will be returned to the industry in order to reflect those costs.

“Wales already has a world-wide reputation for producing high quality, grass fed beef, acknowledged by the PGI branding that accompanies Welsh beef into homes across the UK and beyond,” said FUW livestock wool and marts committee chairman Dafydd Roberts.

“All cattle keepers in Wales have to adhere to strict animal health and welfare and traceability rules which are not present in other countries.

“Additional costs and restrictions have been introduced this year as part of the new Common Agricultural Policy rules, so this is the worst possible time to propose yet more bureaucracy and costs for the industry,” Mr Roberts added.

The union has consistently rejected proposals for lifetime assurance, including in its 2014 consultation response to Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers Ltd, the main body responsible for farm assurance in Wales.

“The appetite for dictating more and more management practices on farm is inappropriate and an unnecessary burden on the industry. Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) cost of production figures highlight that even the top third of beef producers are struggling to cover their costs.  Lifetime assurance would add to these costs without any guarantee of improved returns from the marketplace,” added Mr Roberts.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is highlighting the reopening of the Glastir Advanced window to those farmers who might be interested.

Following the Fairness for the Uplands judicial review outcome and the removal of the Moorland layer from the scoring, Welsh Government is reopening the Glastir Advanced window between February 9 and March 6.

“Those farmers who had already submitted an Expression of Interest (EoI) will have received a rather confusing letter from Welsh Government, which informs them that they need not re apply unless there have been material changes to their circumstances,” said FUW land use and parliamentary committee chairman Gavin Williams.

“Anyone else interested in applying for Glastir Advanced 2016 will need to submit an EoI via an RPW Online account before the  March 6. As a consequence of the judicial review, Welsh Government has also had to review the balance of their Rural Development expenditure and so there are no current plans to open a Glastir Entry window this year,” added Mr Williams.