The Farmers' Union of Wales today welcomed deputy agriculture minister Alun Davies' statement following the union's lobbying over farmers' fears that they would be penalised if they withdrew from the Glastir land management scheme should compulsory greening be introduced as a result of CAP reform.

"We have been lobbying the Minister since the publication of the CAP 'greening' proposals as we were concerned those farmers entering Glastir could be disadvantaged if, after 2014, the things they were being paid for under Glastir became compulsory under the new greening element of the CAP," said FUW land use and parliamentary committee chairman Gavin Williams.

"The fact that farmers will now be able to withdraw from their agreements if this becomes a reality is a positive move as is the clarification that any capital items already undertaken can be reimbursed in full," said Mr Williams, of Llynfaes, Anglesey.

"Farmers were concerned that as they had to undertake their capital works early in the scheme agreement, if the scheme then became untenable due to the CAP reforms they would be out of pocket as payments for the works are paid over the five years of the agreement.

"The FUW has lobbied hard on this issue, so we welcome his announcement that Glastir contracts will allow farmers to withdraw from the scheme without penalty or repayment should substantive changes to the scheme be introduced as a consequence of the possible 'greening' of Pillar 1 payments of the CAP.

"We are pleased that the Minister has offered this re-assurance to farmers considering signing up to Glastir this year that they will not be disadvantaged," Mr Williams added.

The Farmers' Union of Wales today expressed its disappointment with the Welsh Government's decision to confirm a designation order to extend the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley area of outstanding natural beauty.

FUW Denbighshire and Flintshire counties executive officer Marian Jones said members would be disappointed that the union''s objections and concerns over the impact the designation would have on farming and local communities within the area had been ignored.

She said: "It has long been recognised that farming has helped to create and maintain the landscape in this area of Wales.

"We are naturally very disappointed that despite the majority of respondents objecting to the plans outlined in the draft designation order consultation, the Welsh Government will allow the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) to pursue its proposal to extend the Clwydian Range AONB.

"It is the farming systems employed by generations of farmers which have created the landscape so cherished by the visitors who contribute significantly to the economy of the local area."

The FUW formally objected to the extension of the Clwydian Range AONB on the basis that sustainable development, both on-farm and within rural communities, would be stifled by the more onerous planning controls applied in designated areas.

"The union also believes that, given the number of existing designations in the area, any further designation is unnecessary and will only serve to increase the bureaucracy and red tape encountered by farmers.

"For rural communities to prosper and survive they need to be able to continually evolve and develop over time. The union is concerned that the increasing levels of statutory designation in rural areas could have a negative effect on development in these areas and encourage the stagnation of the Welsh countryside at the expense of thriving rural communities and its indigenous industries.

"Rather than considering further designations of any kind, which can foster resentment in rural areas, more effort should be made to encourage a partnership approach to conservation through positive policies, such as agri-environment schemes, encouraging diversification and working with rural people."

[caption id="attachment_4568" align="aligncenter" width="500"] CHRISTMAS CARD DESIGN COMPETITION WINNERS[/caption]

Cancer Research Wales - the Farmers’ Union of Wales president’s chosen charity - is a winner thanks to a national children's competition to design a Christmas Card.

"The competition was a roaring success, attracting hundreds of entries from across Wales," said FUW president Emyr Jones.

"The standard of entries was very high and presented the judges with a tough task when it came to choosing the winners. I would like to thank every single child who entered the competition, and to tell them that without their participation the contest would not have been such a success.

"I would also like to thank the schools up and down the country who have assisted the FUW in the running of this competition," said Mr Jones.

"It gave children in both the urban and rural areas of Wales an opportunity to connect with the farming industry and to express their thoughts in a creative and colourful way.

“I believe it is vital that we as farmers maintain a strong link with young people so that they understand the way that food is produced in this country."

The competition, run by the FUW, was split into two categories - English and Welsh designs. The criterion for the entries was that they should depict a farming scene with a Christmas theme.

The Welsh category was won by nine-year-old Rhys Williams, a pupil at Ysgol Llanafan near Aberystwyth. His winning design depicted Santa Claus driving a tractor and a row of sheep at the bottom.

The winner of the English category was nine-year-old Alex Mary Charman, a pupil at Priory Church in Wales School, Brecon, whose winning picture showed Santa flying into the sky on a tractor pulled by a reindeer. Both participants win a £25 Argos voucher plus £100 of Atebol vouchers for their respective schools.

A last minute decision by the judging panel also saw five-year-old Gwilym Workman of Brecon, a pupil at Ysgol Pontsenni, being selected for a prize as they were delighted with his design of a snow man. Gwilym will also receive a £25 Argos voucher.

All the competition entries will form a colourful centrepiece to the FUW's stand at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Builth Wells on November 28 and 29, where the public will be able to purchase the cards in packs of 10 for £5 with the proceeds going to Cancer Research Wales.

The cards are also available to purchase from FUW offices around the country or by mail order from the union's head office in Aberystwyth.

[caption id="attachment_4565" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Mark Williams MP ,left, FUW Ceredigion county president John Hughes ,centre, and county chairman Fred Williams with county executive committee members in the background[/caption]

Next year's planned fuel duty rises could have a devastating effect on the Welsh farming industry, Ceredigion MP Mark Williams has been told.

Farmers’ Union of Wales members in Ceredigion have met Mr Williams to express their concerns about the Westminster Government plans to put up fuel duty in January and August next year.

"These rises will add 7.3p per litre or 33p per gallon to the already massive cost of petrol and diesel," said FUW Ceredigion county executive officer Adrian Evans today, just before the Commons debate on lower fuel prices.

"Fuel price rises of this nature could have a devastating result for farmers and all the rural communities in general as a car is essential in the countryside with public transport being so poor.

"Whilst Mr Williams supported the Government in suspending the proposed rise in duty during this year, the proposal made initially by the previous Government is still on the table for increases in 2012.

"Mr Williams was left in no doubt by FUW Ceredigion members how he should vote. There has to be important gestures by Westminster to the farming and rural community."

FUW president Emyr Jones said: "We have regularly highlighted the need for an equitable system that reflects the unique needs of rural Wales yet in recent years we have seen the most significant rises in fuel prices in history.

"Nowhere have these rises impacted more than in rural Wales where the majority of domestic journeys must be made by car and businesses, particularly farm businesses, rely significantly upon diesel vehicles.

"In view of the acute and growing pressure that rises in fuel prices represent for rural Welsh businesses, I believe that we have reached a critical point at which action must be taken by the present Chancellor to significantly reduce fuel tax in order to aid the economy.

"I also believe that an equitable vehicle taxation system must be sought that recognises the stark differences between those who choose to drive 4x4 vehicles and those who do so out of necessity.

"The impact of having to pay higher rates of fuel taxes in rural areas is also exacerbated by the fact that fuel prices are usually higher in such areas.

"Our members believe that a system which recognises the disproportionate level of fuel tax paid in rural areas should be introduced, possibly in the form of a tax rebate for rural dwellers."