Farmers were advised today to check if they need a certificate of professional competence to drive heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) following new advice from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

Farmers' Union of Wales policy officer Andrew Gurney said it appears advice previously provided by the DSA, that farmers may be exempt, has now changed.

"The DSA's current advice is that any driving activity using a HGV (a vehicle which requires a C1/C1+E or C/C+E driving license category) that directly or indirectly results in a profit being made will mean the driver needs to obtain, and hold, a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) before the deadline of 10th September 2014.

"Whilst there isn’t any case law in respect of Driver CPC, the DSA have provided a number of examples on their website - https://www.gov.uk/driver-cpc-exemptions-examples - which outlines when they believe drivers will need to hold a CPC.

"The DSA also believes that these are the lines that would be adopted by the courts should a case be brought before them for not holding a CPC when one should have been held."

Relevant examples on the DSA website of the need to hold a CPC that principally apply to the farming sector are:

• Driver E

Driver E is a farmer.  On an average of once a month, he transports some of his livestock to a local cattle market for auction.  He needs to have Driver CPC when doing this, as he is not carrying materials or equipment for his use in the course of his work - he is carrying cattle intended for sale.

• Driver F

Driver F is a farmer.  Twice a month he drives a lorry on public roads around his farm, repairing fences. The vehicle carries the tools and materials he needs to make these repairs. He doesn’t need to have Driver CPC because he is carrying materials to be used in the course of repairing fences.

• Driver H

Driver H is a farm labourer.  His normal duties include transporting livestock and crops around the farm in a lorry. He needs to have Driver CPC when driving on public roads while doing this as he is carrying goods intended for sale, as opposed to materials or equipment.

Farming Connect has confirmed that farmers are able to undertake the CPC training through the Skills Development Programme, therefore farmers can receive 80 per cent funding.

"Farming Connect have a number of approved training providers across Wales but farmers are reminded that they must receive funding approval in advance of attending a training course."

The Farmers' Union of Wales today reminded farmers the deadline for appeals over the provisional map of open access to mountain, moor, heath, downland and registered common land in Wales runs out in three weeks time.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) published the provisional map on August 7. It identifies the proposed areas where people will have a right of access to the Welsh countryside.

It is the first time the map has been reviewed since it was first introduced nearly 10 years ago and it takes into account feedback NRW received from a consultation on the draft map last year.

It includes some new areas of access land and other places where boundaries have been changed although it covers roughly the same amount of land as previously.

FUW land use and parliamentary committee chairman Gavin Williams said it was extremely important for farmers and landowners to take a good look at the draft maps in case any of the new areas are included on their land.

If they're not satisfied, they can appeal against what’s in the map by contacting the Planning Inspectorate at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The new maps can be seen at www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk and appeals must be lodged before November 7 this year.

The appeals process ends on May 9 next year and the All Wales conclusive map will be issued on September 24 2014.

First Milk's incoming chairman Sir Jim Paice MP predicted a great future for UK dairy producers with excellent export potential when he addressed the Farmers' Union of Wales reception during Welsh Dairy Show on Monday night (October 14).

Sir Jim said First Milk had opened an office in Hong Kong and if the population there increased its dairy consumption by just 100g a year it would equate to an annual total of 1.3 million tons.

He said Great Britain is one of the main producers of choice that could take the full benefits of the potential increase of exports.

"Britain also produces a greater variety of cheese than other countries including France - a fact I believe is not known by many," he added.

Answering a question from a member of the audience of over 100, Sir Jim said he was extremely disappointed by the Westminster Government’s decision to remove ministerial rank from the Defra farming role following the recent sacking of farming minister David Heath after holding the position for only a year.

He said the decision raised questions about the Government’s commitment to food and farming.

Before the reception Sir James paid a visit to the dairy farm of FUW members Dyfrig and Elizabeth Davies (trading as Penycoed Farm Ltd), at Penycoed Farm, Llangynin Road, St Clears, near Carmarthen.

Mr and Mrs Davies have a traditional farm with a flying herd of 300 cattle, calves being sold whilst purchasing maiden heifers between 15 and 30 months, and over the past few years they have successfully diversified by developing a leisure complex known as Llety Cynin (www.lletycynin.co.uk).

They have also invested in creating an under-pass connecting two separate parcels of land, thus avoiding the need for stock to cross a busy road.

The future of family farmers and bovine TB issues were the main topics for discussion during the farm visit.

[caption id="attachment_2619" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FARM VISIT: From left, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart, farmer Dyfrig Davies and Sir Jim.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2620" align="aligncenter" width="300"] TIME FOR A CUPPA: From left, Dyfrig Davies, Sir Jim and FUW president Emyr Jones[/caption]

Farmers' Union of Wales Carmarthenshire county executive officer Meinir Bartlett has received this year's FUW/United Counties Agricultural & Hunters Society award for outstanding service to agriculture in Carmarthenshire.

Mrs Bartlett, who commenced her career in agriculture as a switchboard operator/receptionist with the then Milk Marketing Board (MMB) in Llanelli over 40 years ago, has worked at the FUW's Carmarthen office for the past 17 years.

While employed by the MMB she oversaw the introduction of the automatic recording of milk litres collected from individual farms throughout South Wales.

After the MMB ceased to exist in October 1994 she worked for its successor body, First Milk, until October 1995 when the office in Llanelli closed.

She then worked for West Wales TEC until April 1996 when she joined the FUW as administrative assistant. She was promoted to senior administrative assistant during February 2001 and to county executive officer in November 2006.

FUW president Emyr Jones said: "Mrs Bartlett has been an outstanding success in her role as county executive officer and has made a most significant contribution to agriculture in Carmarthenshire.

"She attends many ‘outside’ meetings on behalf of the industry, not just on behalf of the FUW, and she is an excellent ambassador and spokesman for agriculture."

For many years, Mrs Bartlett has organised a number of important agricultural events in the county including the FUW/HSBC Bank plc eve of the Welsh Dairy Show function and award for outstanding service to the Welsh dairy industry.

She also organised a dinner at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, in 2010 which raised £2,660 for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).

[caption id="attachment_2616" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Meinir Bartlett receiving the award from FUW president Emyr Jones during yesterday’s Welsh Dairy Show.[/caption]