THE Farmers' Union of Wales today revealed efforts they have made to persuade Environment Agency Wales (EAW) to cancel controversial claims of up to £17,000 sent to North-West Wales farmers for land drainage works have been successful.

Marshland farmers in parts of Anglesey, Meirionnydd and the Conwy Valley were up in arms last year when EAW issued demands - backdated over six years and ranging in value from £12 to £17,000 - for maintenance work carried out on drainage ditches.

Described as Internal Drainage District (IDD) payments, the bills came out of the blue and angered those who received them who claimed much of the ditch clearance work came to a stop in 2000, four years after responsibilities under the Land Drainage Act 1991 transferred to EAW from the now defunct National Rivers Authority.

FUW's Anglesey county branch raised the issue with EAW with the assistance of the union's land agents - Davis Meade Property Consultants Ltd - and landowners have just been informed that due to "a number of practical difficulties" EAW are cancelling all invoices issued in April 2011 for outstanding charges up to 31 March 2012.

"If you are one of the people who have already paid this bill you will receive a full refund in the near future," EAW stated.

Residents within the Malltraeth Marsh IDD on Anglesey met on numerous occasions since receiving their invoices back in May 2011 and formed a group to discuss the way forward and how to go about challenging the bills.

Group chairman Iolo Owen welcomed the news and said he was “extremely pleased at the way Davis Meade had challenged every aspect of the bills”.

He also thanked FUW Anglesey county executive officer Heidi Williams for administering all the meetings and discussions.

"This case proves that such agencies as the EA are not always in the right and, thankfully, common sense has prevailed on this occasion,” Mr Owen added.

Welsh farmers will be extremely disappointed that the Chancellor ignored mounting pressure to cut fuel duty in today's Budget, Farmers' Union of Wales president Emyr Jones said.

"Although he announced the fuel duty rise planned for September will not happen, we are naturally concerned that he didn't go further and cut duty by a few pence in a budget aimed at 'building a resilient economy'.

"The biggest expense for farmers and anyone else living in rural areas is fuel costs so it is extremely disappointing that his decision to freeze duty for a fourth year will do little to help businesses in our rural communities to prosper.

"Fuel costs are unavoidable and are becoming more and more difficult to bear for those living and working in rural areas," Mr Jones added.

Welcoming the Chancellor's decision to increase the maximum tax relief - from £250,000 to £500,000 - under the Government's Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) scheme, Mr Jones said it would highlight that many agricultural and construction firms are unaware of how much they are entitled to claim against newly-purchased machines and are already missing out.

"A recent survey by machinery manufacturers JCB revealed that out of 250 businesses surveyed only five (two per cent) correctly answered that they could claim through the scheme so it would have helped considerably if the Chancellor had announced it was to become permanent to allow rural industries to make proper future plans.

"The JCB survey showed there's confusion in the construction and agricultural sectors over the size and eligibility of the available tax relief. It seems that some financial advisers have been slow in coming to terms with the new rules and some tax-saving opportunities have already been lost.”

The Farmers' Union of Wales today urged farmers to make their views known on CAP reform by attending open meetings organised across Wales by Farming Connect over the next month.

The four meetings, to be attended by Natural Resources and Food Minister Alun Davies, will be held on Thursday  March 20 at the lecture theatre, Llysfasi College, Ruthin Rd, Ruthin, LL15 2LB; on Thursday  March 27 at Hafod a Hendre, Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, LD2 3SY; on Thursday  April 3 at Nantyffin Hotel and Motel, Llandissilio, Clynderwen, Pembrokeshire, SA66 7SU and on Monday  April 7 at the lecture theatre, Glynllifon College, Clynnog Rd, Glynllifon, Gwynedd, LL54 5DU.

FUW president Emyr Jones said: “We know it is a busy time of year for farmers, many of whom are busy lambing, but these meetings provide a good opportunity for farmers to question the Minister on all aspects of the CAP reforms and I would urge people to attend.”

The meetings will all run from 7.30pm until 9pm, with tea and coffee served at the end.

FUW members are urged to book their spaces by contacting Einir Davies on 01970 636297 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Farmers' Union of Wales were delighted to sponsor the recent public speaking competitions run by Clwyd YFC federation. The English-speaking event was held at Treuddyn and the Welsh version at Dewi Sant School, Rhyl.

Cheques for £100 were presented to representatives of Clwyd YFC at each event by local FUW branch members.

FUW Denbighshire and Flintshire county executive officer Rhys Roberts said the union is always happy to support the YFC movement, both locally and nationally, and believes that public speaking is a great way for members to improve their communication skills.

"It also allows them to gain confidence in airing their views on a variety of topics," Mr Roberts added.

[caption id="attachment_2794" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Clwyd YFC chairman Jonathon Hulme (left) receives a cheque from FUW Flintshire member Alan Gardner.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2795" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Erina Roberts (centre), of FUW Denbighshire ladies committee, presents a cheque to Clwyd YFC representatives Fiona Jones and Dewi Parry.[/caption]