Following months of lobbying by the Farmers’ Union of Wales, significant changes have been made to the Tourism Investment Support Scheme, which will now allow small and medium businesses to benefit from Welsh Government support to upgrade their facilities.

The new initiative ‘Building for 2012’, is intended to provide small and medium sized Welsh tourism business the opportunity to apply for between £5,000 and £25,000 of grant aid, up to a maximum of 40 per cent of eligible upgrading costs, allowing businesses to upgrade the quality of their facilities irrespective of business size, number of units, bedrooms or visitors.

Welcoming the announcement, FUW farm diversification chairperson Deilwen Breese said the union had been lobbying hard to improve the support available within the Tourism Investment Support Scheme, for smaller farm-based tourism enterprises.

“Farm diversification provides an important second income for many farming families in Wales which is why the new initiative is a welcome move. However this opportunity is time limited and all applications have to be made by March 31 2012,” added Mrs Breese.

“Small, tourism businesses in Wales need help to invest and upgrade their facilities, particularly in the current economic climate. The ‘Building for 2012’ project means that, businesses of all sizes will now have the chance to make vital improvements.”

The Farmers' Union of Wales urged the Welsh Government to forge ahead with plans to tackle the disease in north Pembrokeshire after welcoming today's Defra announcement to carry out controlled culling of badgers in two areas of England.

Westminster environment secretary Caroline Spelman revealed the devastating problems caused by bovine TB are to be tackled by a package of measures which include controlled culling of badgers as part of a science-led and carefully managed badger control policy.

She confirmed that policy is expected to be piloted initially in two areas in early Autumn next year. Both pilots, carried out over a period of six weeks, will be closely managed and monitored to examine how safe, effective and humane a method this is.

An independent panel of experts will be asked to oversee and evaluate the pilots and report to Ministers before a decision is made on whether to roll out the policy more widely.

FUW bovine TB spokesman Brian Walters said: "For years Wales was well ahead of England in terms of implementing an holistic approach to tackling bovine TB on all fronts but the Welsh Government's decision to place plans on hold, pending a review of the science which had already been done, has led to a massive loss of momentum and now leaves Wales well behind England.

"The English and Welsh proposals are very different and, given the hard work which has been put into the Welsh plan, it is essential we forge ahead with our own programme rather than procrastinate.

"The free shooting approach which is to be investigated by Defra has been advocated by bodies such as the RSPCA as a humane approach to pest control, so those bodies which now raise concerns regarding Defra's plans are being extremely disingenuous."

Mr Walters' comments echoed demands made earlier this week by FUW president Emyr Jones who also accused the Welsh Government of betraying Welsh farmers by continuing to delay a decision on a badger cull in West Wales.

Mr Jones wrote to Assembly environment and sustainable development minister John Griffiths expressing "extreme dismay" that the decision - originally expected early last autumn - is now being delayed until the New Year.

"These continued delays are a betrayal of the Welsh farming industry's commitment to a holistic approach to controlling bovine TB," said Mr Jones.

Mr Walters added: "The confidence of the farming industry in the Welsh bTB eradication programme is falling away rapidly, and those burdened with the extra costs of cattle controls feel betrayed by the failure to take action against the massive disease reservoir which exists in badgers and is infecting cattle on a daily basis.

"The only way to regain that confidence is for Wales to forge ahead with its original plans to cull badgers in north Pembrokeshire, which all the science shows will significantly reduce bovine TB incidences in the area."

Assembly Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development John Griffiths was today accused of betraying Welsh farmers by continuing to delay a decision on a badger cull in West Wales.

Farmers' Union of Wales president Emyr Jones revealed he had written to Mr Griffiths expressing "extreme dismay" that the decision is being delayed yet again.

"These continued delays are a betrayal of the Welsh farming industry's commitment to a holistic approach to controlling bovine TB," said Mr Jones.

The most recent delay - announced by First Minister Carwyn Jones last week - has also sparked a backlash from opposition AMs.

In June Mr Griffiths revealed badger cull plans, agreed by the previous Welsh Government, were being put on hold while a review was carried out into the science behind culling.

He initially promised the government would publish its results in the autumn, then said it would make an announcement before Christmas but a decision is not now expected until early 2012.

Emyr Jones' letter to Mr Griffiths expresses extreme dismay that the minister has delayed making a decision in light of the report by the Bovine TB Science Review Panel despite having previously committed to making a decision in the autumn.

"The farming community has acted in good faith since the commitment in 2008 by the previous administration that an holistic bTB eradication programme would be pursued.

"Nowhere is this more true than in north Pembrokeshire, where heightened cattle controls in anticipation of a badger cull have necessitated a complete restructuring of many farm businesses and significant increased financial and emotional pressures for all cattle keepers."

The letter added that the FUW firmly believes "further procrastination regarding an holistic approach to controlling bTB represents a betrayal of the commitment of the industry" and the partnership approach which has developed throughout Wales and led to significant successes.

"Moreover, I also believe that it represents a betrayal of those public servants who have undertaken so much hard work in order to pursue the eradication programme," Mr Jones added.

"Farming families throughout Wales continue to suffer both financially and emotionally on a daily basis as a result of bTB, while thousands of animals continue be slaughtered as a result of the disease.

"Further indecision can only prolong this misery and delay the ultimate goal, which is eradication - something which is in the interests of all species.

"I would therefore urge you to reconsider your decision to renege on the commitment you gave previously."

[caption id="attachment_4610" align="aligncenter" width="210"] Mark Roberts[/caption]

The Farmers' Union of Wales insurance arm, FUW Insurance Services, today announced it has become a member of Broker Network - the UK's leading network for independent commercial insurance brokers.

Aberystwyth-based FUW Insurance Services has 13 branch offices across Wales and employs 30 field staff and 12 at head office specialising in insurance cover for all forms of farming and rural trades.

It was recently confirmed as being the third largest insurance broker in Wales. The business has seen a 50 per cent increase in premium income since 2007 with 15 per cent of that income being added in 2011.

As a Broker Network member, FUW now has access to exclusive insurer products and markets plus support from central HR, Marketing, Compliance, IT and Finance teams.

FUW operations director Mark Roberts said today: “We have enjoyed significant growth in income over the past four years by increasing our market share and working closely with insurers to ensure profitable and flexible working relationships.

"In order to maintain these levels of growth, we have taken the decision to join Broker Network in order to gain access to additional markets and products.

"We have also been impressed by the provision of business services, such as marketing, which will help us reach out to new customers in a professional and creative manner.”

Broker Network and Countrywide managing director Nick Houghton said: “FUW is a classic example of a business wanting to make the very most out of their membership.

"With ambitions to increase market share and premium income, they will work closely with our central support teams to realise these goals. We look forward to playing a part in their continued success.”