Broadband availability for rural businesses in Wales is crucial economically and socially, a forum on the Superfast Cymru Wales project at the Farmers' Union of Wales pavilion during next week's Royal Welsh Show will be told.

The forum (on Wednesday July 23 at 11am) will hear details of the £425 million Superfast Cymru Wales project - a partnership between the Welsh Government and BT with private and EU funding.

One of the speakers, FUW director of agricultural policy Nick Fenwick, said: "Increasing broadband availability to rural businesses in Wales is of critical importance, economically and socially.

"With Rural Payments Online planning to roll out a host of services over coming months and years, including the option to complete Single Application Forms on-line in 2014, any moves which increase broadband availability and quality are welcome.

"While using this type of service will be a steep learning curve for many, we know from our experience with BCMS/CTS Online that people rarely go back to paper once they've realised the advantages which come with such services - for example, in terms of the extent to which errors can be reduced."

BT revealed that under the Superfast Cymru programme, Wales is set to become a global leader in fibre broadband. Using public and private funds, it will deliver fibre broadband to parts of the country not already covered by the existing commercial plans of operators.

Fibre broadband will be of particular benefit to the tens of thousands of local businesses scattered throughout rural Wales because it will provide speeds approximately 15 times faster than those already available. It will enable them to diversify their business, sell to new markets and carry out a much broader range of work online.

Another speaker at the seminar, BT programme director Ed Hunt, said: “We are serious about making fibre broadband available to even the most rural parts of Wales.

"Our engineers are hard at work in places like Abersoch, Criccieth and Dinas Mawddwy and we look forward to telling local people when they’ll be able to access high-speed broadband services as a result of this project.

"Already underway, Superfast Cymru is part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to seek to ensure that all premises across Wales will have access to next generation broadband.

"It will build on BT’s existing investment with the aim being that 96 per cent of Welsh homes and businesses will be able to benefit from world class broadband speeds of up to 80Mbps by 2016. The initiative will take the total amount invested in Welsh fibre broadband to around £425m.

"Superfast Cymru is already helping to transform the broadband landscape in Wales and boost the Welsh economy. Businesses and residents in several areas are already connected, and the roll-out will be underway in all unitary authorities during 2014/15."

Welsh farmers were urged today to beware of spontaneous combustion of their newly-gathered hay following the recent spell of good weather which has allowed them to produce large crops.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales pointed out that after a number of seasons of indifferent harvesting weather and challenging winter conditions farmers can ill afford to face further losses or expenses due to inadequate insurance cover and now is the appropriate time to review covers and sums insured on hay, straw and agricultural produce.

Spontaneous combustion can occur in hay if it is baled at too high a moisture level and is more likely to occur in tightly-baled hay and can cost farmers dearly, especially if insurance cover on hay and straw has expired.

“Over the last few years of poor harvest weather, with little hay produced, insurance cover on this has been reduced or removed,” said FUW director of business development Emyr James.

“In the present economic climate, and after an expensive winter, farmers can’t afford another loss through spontaneous combustion.

“Hay presents its own specific risks even when harvested in ideal weather conditions. Production methods have also changed in recent years with many farmers now relying on contractors rather than having their own hay making equipment that may sometimes result in hay being baled a little fresh.

“We would advise farmers to discuss their hay, straw and agricultural produce sums insured with their insurance advisers to ensure cover is adequate for their needs,” added Mr James.

Well-made hay also presents risks of fire from sparks from tractor exhausts and nearby machinery as well as electrical equipment and other weather conditions such as lightning strike.  Hay stacks in areas closer to urban communities further present an exposure to theft and arson.

“It is important for farmers to understand that their hay, straw and agricultural produce sum insured must reflect the true full replacement value of all agricultural produce on the premises.

“Minimal sums insured will result in any claim being averaged and reduced in proportion to the under insurance resulting in dissatisfied clients and further expense,” added Mr James.

A new Land-Rover Defender will be parked on the Farmers' Union of Wales pavilion forecourt at next week's Royal Welsh Show (July 22-25) to draw attention to the North Wales Police Farm Watch Scheme and similar schemes operated by the other three Welsh police forces.

Farmers will be encouraged to sign up to the scheme which is aimed at preventing rural crime. They will be encouraged to join and be the eyes and the ears of the community to help drive down rural crime even further.

By asking farmers to sign up to Farm Watch, North Wales Police hope to create a network of local farms in the community to help prevent and detect crime and provide instant support and information about what is going on in the immediate area.

PCSO Michelle Williams, who works in the North Wales Police Community Safety Department, said: “Farm Watch is about local farmers and rural communities communicating with each other and with the police at the time they have concerns, and for the timely sharing of any suspicious activity or individuals in their area.

“Farmers often have a great deal of capital spread over a large expanse of land. Some stock and equipment is portable and can be relatively easy to steal.

"Whilst property can never be made totally secure, becoming a Farm Watch member will reduce the risk of becoming a victim of farm crime.”

All who sign up to Farm Watch will receive:

* Regular and practical crime prevention advice to ensure property is kept as secure as possible;

* An SMS text messaging service which will keep members updated with latest crime trends and any suspicious vehicles/activity in the area.

PCSO Williams will be on the FUW stand during the Royal Welsh Show to promote the Farm Watch initiative and other officers will also be in attendance at the Anglesey Agricultural Show (August 13 and 14) Denbigh & Flint Show (August 15) and Merioneth County Show (August 28).

Further information regarding the scheme, including details on how to join are available on the North Wales Police website: www.northwales.police.uk/advice_support?farm_watch.aspx

FUW president Emyr Jones said the union firmly supported the Farm Watch Scheme and the work of North Wales Police, who use a Land Rover Defender provided by Conwy Land Rover to promote the scheme, tied up with a new FUW members' benefit.

Earlier this year the union linked up with Conwy Land Rover to offer an exclusive discount for members which gives savings of up to five per cent on a Land Rover Defender above and beyond the discount customers personally negotiate with Conwy Land Rover.

To qualify customers need to have been an FUW member for a minimum of three months and would have to obtain a discount voucher beforehand from their local FUW county office.

[caption id="attachment_2529" align="aligncenter" width="3264"] TEAMWORK: The Land Rover Defender that will promote the Farm Watch Scheme at the FUW pavilion[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2530" align="aligncenter" width="245"] FARM WATCH LOGO[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2531" align="aligncenter" width="1181"] MEMBERS’ DISCOUNT: FUW president Emyr Jones (left) and Conwy Land Rover franchise manager Jason Ashley clinch the deal.[/caption]

The Farmers' Union of Wales' modern pavilion alongside the main ring at next week’s Royal Welsh Show will be a hive of activity during the four days (July 22-25) of the popular annual event.

In addition to a series of hectic meetings between FUW officers and Assembly, Westminster and Brussels politicians, numerous events are pencilled in and members are invited to pop in at any time for a cuppa and a chat. More substantial refreshments will also be available daily for purchase at the rear of the building.

The union is now an accomplished insurance broker so the FUW Insurance brand will feature prominently in the building. Throughout the week a number of the union's 30-plus area officers will be available to give advice on a huge range of insurance cover for all those involved in the agricultural and rural industries.

Last summer the FUW teamed up with E.ON to help farmers manage one of their biggest costs - energy - so E.ON will also have a strong presence at the pavilion during the show.

They have developed a new service, especially for FUW members, offering face-to-face advice and support from dedicated account managers along with fixed price deals available over one, two or three years.

E.ON has already helped FUW members Glyn and Dorothy Breeze save around £1,400 a year by checking their previous contract, understanding how they use energy and offering them a fixed price tariff.

E.ON has also assisted the FUW in encouraging support for Welsh produce at a number of key events this year. In February, the FUW took its "Buy The Welsh One" campaign to the UK Parliament in Westminster at the first ever Ceredigion Day attended by over 40 MPs from all parties.

They also took part in the FUW's annual promotion of Farmhouse Breakfast Week at the Welsh Assembly and a lunch at the House of Lords.

Farmers looking to find out more about topical issues such as renewable energy, rent reviews and compensation claims can get free advice at the pavilion from specialists at Davis Meade Property Consultants, which has offices at Oswestry and Colwyn Bay and enjoys a close relationship with the FUW.

“We want to give our clients and other show visitors plenty of opportunities to get a free independent opinion on issues that are bothering them,” said land agent Philip Meade. 

“We are expecting wind farms and compensation for electrical apparatus (such as pylons) to be hot topics this summer and also the changing single farm payment and grant regime following the CAP reform negotiations in Europe,” he said.

For further details contact Davis Meade Property Consultants on 01691 659658 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Other events taking place at the pavilion include the formal launch on the Tuesday morning (July 23) of Slow Food Wales whose leader Gareth Johns, of The Wynnstay Hotel, Machynlleth, said the organisation is all about celebrating the best of Welsh produce from local producers.

"We are part of a global network of producers, cooks, chefs and consumers all seeking to produce, prepare, choose and eat food that we can truly call good, clean and fair - good to eat, clean in its impact on the environment, and with a fair return to the producer. It is about uniting the real pleasure of good food with responsibility and sustainability.”

[caption id="attachment_2525" align="aligncenter" width="241"] Slow Food Wales leader Gareth Johns[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2526" align="aligncenter" width="2327"] FUW PAVILION: A hive of activity[/caption]