Supporting future farmers and EU membership were among the important topics that generated lively discussion among Carmarthenshire farmers and a panel of speakers during the Farmers' Union of Wales Carmarthenshire county branch annual general meeting on Monday June 3.
The panel consisted of Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards, FUW deputy president Glyn Roberts, Agri Advisor Solicitors director Dr Nerys Llewellyn Jones and Carmarthenshire YFC rural affairs chairman Iestyn Davies.
Among the questions were:
- Does the CAP payment assist or hinder farming or is an area payment better than production payment?
Responding to the questions after the meeting, FUW Carmarthenshire county executive officer Meinir Bartlett said: "It was generally believed that a hybrid of the two payments would be best.
"The main objective should be the production of food rather than fields being left idle. It was also stated that, at present, farmers cannot survive without the £350 million payment received from Europe and Mr Edwards revealed Plaid Cymru had calculated 48% of farmers who would gain under the new CAP payment.
"It was unanimously believed that old fashioned food security and production was vital."
- Should there be a formal body overseeing or assisting the establishment of share farming?
Mrs Bartlett commented: "It was felt that people were fearful of share farming and there was a suggestion that the Welsh Government should have a webpage available providing guidance, such as sharefarming.com.
"The panel was unanimous in their belief that such a scheme or body would be an advantage to the industry, both in assisting young farmers to enter farming and tax efficient for the other party."
- Given the extreme weather conditions experienced during the last few months, is there sufficient done to assist farming communities?
"Mr Edwards said he was very disappointed with the Assembly Minister's response, who had stated that it would be unfair to provide further support to the agricultural industry," said Mrs Bartlett. "Other industries benefited by receiving ‘bank rate support’.
"It was unanimously agreed that climate change is here to stay and is out of farmers' control. Politicians need to be educated on the problems farmers face. The intention to give financial aid to rural charities was also welcomed."
Further debate took place on the Tir Mynydd payment with members voicing their strong belief that it should be reintroduced, especially due to this year’s hardship.
Mr Roberts provided an explanation on how, under CAP reform, they were redefining areas in Wales. He felt more optimistic that it could be introduced in some format at a later stage.
Members voiced strong concern in the belief that money from Europe was being wasted, with far too much directed to Farming Connect.
- Is media coverage slanted too much towards conservation as opposed to food production?
Mrs Bartlett said: "It was unanimously agreed that too much emphasis is given to conservation, especially with TV programmes such as Springwatch.
"It was noted that 63 million people watch Countryfile which assists in creating awareness to people outside the industry. Adam Henson’s section on the programme, along with Ffermio and Cefn Gwlad were congratulated on their contribution.
"Many believed it is the responsibility of the agriculture sector to provide as much information as possible to the media sector. The best media coverage is to be found in cookery programmes which reflect the high standard of food produced in the county.
- As the Prime Minister has suggested holding a referendum on whether to withdraw from Europe, which way would the panel vote and why?
Commenting on Wales’s place in Europe, Mr Edwards said:
“The interests of Welsh farmers, and indeed Welsh national interests, are served by remaining a part of the EU. Wales is a net beneficiary of European money.
"We contribute €244m per annum but receive €746m each year. Welsh farms alone receive £350m in payments under the CAP - losing this would shut 80% of Welsh farms overnight.
“The argument of those seeking to leave Europe is that a British state scheme would replace current arrangements for agriculture and regional policy. But, as the people of Wales know, the UK is the most unequal wealth state in the whole of the EU and a London government - of any political hue - is incapable of delivering a fair share to Wales.
“Any rural development scheme operated from London will inevitably be focused on the large landowners in the English shires rather than the traditional Welsh family farm.
“What was crystal clear from the meeting is that Carmarthenshire farmers recognise the significant importance of Wales being in Europe.
"Carmarthenshire farmers appreciate the benefits the EU brings to the industry and that the importance of these benefits far outweighs the political games being played by the London parties.”
Mrs Bartlett added: "Panel members were united in their views that it was in Wales’s national interest that we remain in Europe as a huge amount of financial gain comes to Wales.
"Much debate also took place on whether the current average age of farmers is a matter of concern and whether a 41-year-old farmer deserves as much assistance as a 39-year-old, also whether young new entrants are more important than new entrants.
"Many believed that a clear definition for 'active farmer' was required. It was believed in many cases sons/daughter are brought into the partnership in name only, the older generation actually being the farmer."
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From left, Iestyn Davies, Nerys Llewellyn Jones, FUW Carmarthenshire county chairman Catherine Nakielny, Glyn Roberts and Jonathan Edwards[/caption]
WHITSUN WELLY WALK[/caption]
