The Farmers’ Union of Wales Denbighshire branch recently hosted a successful farm visit (October 2) with deputy Minister for farming and food, Rebecca Evans AM at a farm near Wrexham.

Union officials along with regional AM’s Aled Roberts and Llyr Huws Gruffydd visited Rhos Farm, Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham, run by FUW member Paul Jones to discuss a range of current farming issues.

Mr Jones farms 1600 sheep on land ranging from lowland up to the Ruabon Mountain, which is common land.

“We outlined a number of concerns to the deputy Minister regarding the potential impact of the new Basic Payment scheme (BPS), on farm businesses across Wales and the knock-on effects it will have on rural communities, the Welsh language and culture, if upland farms become less viable or sustainable,” said FUW Denbigh and Flintshire county executive officer Rhys Roberts.

Mr Jones showed the Minister his faming system, highlighting the fact that he entered Glastir in 2012, and has adapted his flock by using a more profitable breed in order to improve efficiency.

He expressed concerns that his management decisions are constrained to some extent by the fact the moorland is common land, which is also designated as an SSSI and is part of the extended AONB, along with a large proportion of the in-bye land.

The flock is monitored annually as part of the Aberystwyth University ‘Farm Business Survey’ and Paul believes he is already trying to implement best practice on the farm but feels the reduction in support in the future will compromise his ability to produce a quality product at a profit that allows him to re-invest in the business.

“We enjoyed a fruitful discussion with the deputy Minister on the potential funding sources that the new RDP would make available to farms and rural businesses and it was clear that she was keen to listen to proposals put forward by the farming industry,” added Mr Roberts. 

The issue of Greening and the ongoing process of registering Environmental Focus Areas (EFA’s) were also raised with the deputy Minister.

Mr Roberts questioned the need to undertake this exercise if the individual farm does not exceed the threshold that activates the need for EFA’s, saying that: “This process is placing a huge logistical and bureaucratic burden on farmers, the Farming Unions and also on Welsh Government staff who have to process the forms.”

The deputy Minister advised members that the Greening element of the new Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is subject to ongoing discussions with the EU and that Welsh Government  would continue to press for the measure to be simplified where possible.

FUW Denbighshire county chairman John Roberts thanked Rebecca Evans AM after the visit saying: “We are extremely grateful to the deputy Minister for taking the time to visit Rhos Farm and for listening to the concerns raised by those present. We are confident that our key messages were taken on board and we look forward to seeing some ground breaking and innovative initiatives within the new RDP.”

[caption id="attachment_3096" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] (From left) Plaid Cymru Regional AM Llyr Huws Gruffydd, FUW Denbighshire county vice-chairman Rheinallt Hughes, FUW Denbigh and Flintshire county executive officer Rhys Roberts, FUW Denbighshire county chairman John Roberts, FUW member Paul Jones, and Lib Dem Regional AM Aled Roberts.[/caption]

The Glamorgan branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is holding an open meeting for members to discuss the new Basic Payment Scheme which will come into force next year.

The meeting will be held on Monday October 13 at Heol-Y-Cyw Rugby Club, Heol-Y-Cyw, Bridgend, CF35 6HR and is due to start at 8pm.

“With all the new changes taking effect next year, we felt that it would be helpful for members to attend an open meeting to discuss how these will affect their farm business,” said FUW Glamorgan county executive officer Rachel Saunders.

FUW director of agricultural policy Dr Nick Fenwick, will be in attendance to advise members further on these matters.

The fall in the Euro-Sterling exchange rate for Single Payment calculations to its lowest level in seven years could not have come at a worse time, says the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

The exchange rate, set by the European Central Bank at £0.7773/€1 on Tuesday (September 30), is the lowest since 2007, and comes against a background of falls in farmgate prices, a reduced Welsh CAP budget, and a 15% transfer to the Rural Development Programme (RDP) agreed by the Welsh Government – the highest rate in Europe.

Responding to the announcement, FUW President Emyr Jones said: “The Single Payment makes up a large proportion of Welsh farm incomes, and the poor exchange rate could not have come at a worse time given the collapse in what farmers are receiving for milk, lamb and beef.”

The combined impact of the Welsh Government’s 15% RDP transfer, a reduction in the Welsh budget of around 10%, and an exchange rate of £0.7773/€1 means a farmer who received a Single Payment of £10,000 in 2013 will see their payment slashed by more than 20% in 2014, to around £7879.

“The industry remains angry at the Welsh Government’s decision to reduce Welsh payments by the highest rate in the EU to fund the RDP, and with those who advised the government on this course of action.

“The poor exchange rate will add to this anger at a time when lamb, beef and milk prices have fallen dramatically. There will clearly be a knock-on impact on our rural economies.”

Mr Jones said the imminent fall in farm incomes should further focus the Welsh Government’s attention on ensuring the RDP is used to increase farm incomes.

“We cannot control the exchange rate, and despite our fierce lobbying against it, the decision to transfer 15% has been made. The only area where there is flexibility to act is in terms of ensuring Rural Development Funds are directed at bringing farm incomes back up, and not squandered.”

Mr Jones said he was bitterly disappointed at the recent confirmation that the Welsh Government did not intend to use those funds to implement an Area of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme.

“The FUW’s policy remains clear on this; without an ANC scheme we are at a competitive disadvantage to farmers in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Eire, and the rest of the EU, where such schemes are universally in place.”

Visitors to Pentre Farm, Cwmtirmynach received a warm welcome on Monday September 29, when they met with Farmers’ Union of Wales members Arfon and Rhian Williams, Llyr Huws Gruffudd AM and FWAG Cymru.

The visit, arranged by the FUW Meirionnydd branch and FWAG Cymru, provided members with the an opportunity to see the land,stock, and various elements of the Glastir scheme and for visitors to talk about the latest agricultural policies.

Pentre is situated at approximately six miles north east of Bala and the family farm extends to 250 hectares on the Rhiwlas Estate.  145 hectares is mountain land and around 20 hectares are kept annually for silage making.

The family keep high quality stock, which includes 450 ewes, 300 of which are Welsh Mountain and 150 being Cheviot X and Halfbreds.  Arfon and Rhian use Beltex and Texel rams, and for the first time in 2014 a Berrichon du cher ram was used.  They also keep a herd of 25 Welsh Black Pedigree Cattle, with Arfon Williams being a member of the Welsh Black Cattle Society.

“They have a great deal of interest in breeding Llanwenog sheep and the family have enjoyed  exhibiting in shows, and attend breed sales at Llanybydder. The family has won many prizes over the years which includes the breed championship at the Royal Welsh Show,” said FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones.

Pentre has been able to take advantage of agri-environment schemes over the years, and the family see farming and conservation going hand in hand.  The farm was part of the Tir Cymen Scheme when Meirionnydd was chosen as a pilot area in the 1990’s, and thereafter the farm was part of the Tir Gofal Scheme until joining Glastir in 2014.

The farm has also been fortunate in being chosen for the Glastir Advanced Scheme which has run hand in hand with Glastir entry since January 2014.

Arfon Williams and his family have held the tenancy at Pentre since 2001. He is married to Rhian, and they have 3 children; Lleucu 15, Deio 14, and Owen Clwyd 2. Deio has already shown an interest in coming home to farm at Pentre.

The Cwmtirmynach area is a stronghold of the Welsh language and culture, and Arfon Williams is a  prominent figure in ‘cerdd dant’ singing, and has been a judge at national level on many occasions.

He also contributes extensively to community activities within his area, and has been chairman of the local village hall at Cwmtirmynach.

“I would like to thank Arfon and his family for hosting this visit today. We have found it most informative to see the how they run their enterprise, I would like to thank Birch Farm Plastics for sponsoring the light refreshments,” added Mr Jones.

[caption id="attachment_3086" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Llyr Huws Gruffudd addressing the audience.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3087" align="aligncenter" width="640"] From left, FUW Merioneth county executive officer Huw Jones, North Wales FWAG committee chairman Richard Tomlinson, Llyr Huws Gruffudd AM, FUW policy director Nick Fenwick, FUW president Emyr Jones, Merioneth FUW president Robert Evans, FWAG Cymru Director Glenda Thomas, Merioneth vice-chairman Euros Puw and Arfon Williams who hosted the event.[/caption]