A top-level delegation of Farmers' Union of Wales leaders and officers today (Monday September 19) began a four-day stint of talks in Brussels to spell out their concerns and aspirations for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy for 2014-2020.

The five-strong group is meeting MEPs from across the EU and senior EC and Welsh Government Brussels-based officials in a visit coinciding with crucial CAP discussions by the Council of Ministers and the EU Agriculture Committee.

“The decisions made over the coming months at an EU level will have far reaching consequences for the economy, landscape and culture of Wales, not to mention the ability of the EU as a whole to face the looming food shortages that experts predict will hit us sooner rather than later,” said FUW president Emyr Jones, who is leading the delegation.

“Over the coming days we will be highlighting the importance of a strong CAP which supports the family farm where the overwhelming majority of our food is produced.”

A package of proposals for the CAP 2014-2020 has already been circulated to all EC departments as part of an ongoing consultation and these papers have been leaked to the press.

The seven papers within the package are: direct payments, the common organisation of markets, rural development, financing and monitoring of the policy, aids and refunds related to agricultural products, the wine market and direct payments in 2013.

Mr Jones said the FUW had already written to Welsh deputy minister for agriculture, food, fisheries and European programmes Alun Davies highlighting key areas of concern in the leaked EC draft CAP proposals which, when finalised, will lay down the rules for future direct payments to farmers throughout Europe.

"They could have far-reaching consequences for Welsh farmers if left unaltered," said Mr Jones.

"This leaked document is a very early and incomplete draft and the main thrust of our visit to Brussels is to take the opportunity to lobby for changes.

"We intend to highlight to the Welsh Government and Brussels the impact that the proposed regulations would have on Welsh farmers if left unchanged.

“We know from modelling carried out by the union over the past two years that some of the proposals in the draft papers would be disastrous for our rural communities."

FUW members and other Welsh agricultural industry officials will have an opportunity to voice their views about the EC's proposals on Thursday October 20 during a conference organised by the union at Aberystwyth Arts Centre under the theme “Unravelling CAP Reform".

The speakers will be: Tassos Haniotis, Director of Economic Analysis, Perspectives and Evaluations at the EC Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development; George Lyon MEP, former Rapporteur for the EU Agriculture Committee; Jeremy Walker, National Chairman of the Tenant Farmers’ Association and Dr Nick Fenwick, FUW Director of Agricultural Policy.

"The conference will provide an ideal opportunity to hear about developments to date and the possible or likely impact of CAP reform on the agriculture, economy, and landscape of Wales and similar regions," added Mr Jones.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales today called a Welsh Government decision that fences on the Brecon Beacons should be taken down - despite having been in place for 10 years - as irresponsible.

The fences, erected to help control foot and mouth disease (FMD) in 2001, divide parts of the Brecon Beacons, Vaynor and Buckland Commons.

Graziers on the land affected had applied in September 2009 for the fences to remain in place, on the grounds that they continued to be important from a disease control, animal management and environmental perspective, but the Open Spaces Society, the Ramblers and the National Trust objected.

FUW’s common land committee vice chairman Dilwyn John, who recently attended a joint meeting of the three graziers associations affected by the decision, said: “A large number of graziers attended the meeting and they were angry and dismayed by the Welsh Government’s decision.

“Taking down the fences will have a major impact on graziers’ ability to manage their flocks and the environment, and will increase the risk of diseases spreading.

“The government has ignored animal health issues and the needs of those who make a living off this land, and has sided with a tiny minority whose only interests are recreational.

“The general public have access to well over a million acres of land in Wales, yet the Ramblers, Open Spaces Society and National Trust are not satisfied. They want these fences taken down even if it means increasing the threat of animal diseases spreading and many extra long hours of work for the graziers in one of Wales’s harshest environments.”

Mr John added that claims the fences impede access and are visually intrusive were nonsense.

“There are stiles and gates at regular intervals and the fences are barely visible. When you talk to walkers in the area the fences are simply not an issue and their main complaints relate to conifer plantations.

“This is clearly a case of a tiny vocal minority being listened to by a government which has ignored the needs of local businesses. The interests of those who make a living off the land and who now rely on these fences should have been the Assembly Government’s priority.”

Mr John’s views appeared to be confirmed in a recent BBC news report in which the presenter stated that “……without a perilous climb down steep sides, it was difficult for our cameras to see [the fence]……”

“If we have another FMD outbreak as in 2001 - God forbid - new fences will have to be erected, and the government’s decision could lead directly to thousands of animals being slaughtered unnecessarily.

“The strength of feeling is running extremely high, and the graziers are currently seeking legal advice regarding their options. The FUW is committed to fighting for the rights of those who rely on these mountains to make a living.”

[caption id="attachment_4478" align="aligncenter" width="550"] FUW members meet Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns[/caption]

Farmers' Union of Wales members in Carmarthenshire expressed their concerns at the Welsh Government's failure to drive the bovine TB eradication programme forward when they met Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns recently.

"During the meeting we were pleased to hear that Mrs Burns' views on this issue echoed our own concerns," said Ian Rickman, chairman of the union's Carmarthenshire county executive committee.

Mrs Burns told the committee she too was very concerned that the eradication programme had lost momentum.

"There was a moment in time when the Assembly overwhelmingly supported the Government, the chief veterinary officer and the scientists yet a mere 90 days later the new environment minister, who is now the person in charge of animal welfare, called a sudden halt to the programme," she said.

"It's a complete about turn and leaves the dairy farming industry in confusion and concern," added Mrs Burns, who stressed farming must be recognised as an essential business.

Mr Rickman said the union agreed that the main objective of the agricultural industry is food production and maintaining rural family life whilst caring for the environment.

"It is a specialised industry which must be protected," he added.

Mrs Burns also expressed concern that the proposed CAP reform could have a dramatic affect on Welsh farms and that the negotiations needed to be fair to all.

She feared the Welsh Government's decision to put rural affairs under a deputy minister answerable to the Minister for Business and leaving the significant challenge of animal health with the Minister for the Environment would have a damaging effect on farming.

The committee also discussed whether large dairy units were acceptable. It was felt an honest debate must be held between producers and consumers and Mrs Burns accepted that large herds in traditional village farms had to ensure their environmental management was rigorous.

Further discussion took place on a number of other topics such as ground water regulations and the requirement for wider buffer strips near water courses.

Members maintained the countryside has been shaped by farming practices over centuries and if livestock did not graze the uplands there would be a dramatic affect on the landscape.

Mrs Burns felt it was important that production and processing should be kept locally to contribute to the local economy.

Members also raised the issue of the rural road system and infrastructure. They believed funding should be made available to improve rural roads rather than finance improved links between Wales and Heathrow.

[caption id="attachment_4475" align="aligncenter" width="500"] AT THE PUMPHOUSE: From left, Lord Elis-Thomas, Emyr Jones and Tegwyn Jones.[/caption]

The chairman of the Welsh Assembly's environment and sustainability committee Dafydd Elis-Thomas visited a farm in his constituency today (September 14) to see how steep slopes, fast flowing water and a 90-inch annual rainfall help generate power for the National Grid.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd AM Lord Elis-Thomas joined Farmers' Union of Wales president Emyr Jones and other union officials at Talglannau, Mallwyd, an upland family farm run by union member Tegwyn Jones, his wife Catrin and sons Guto and Huw.

In 2001, they built a 93KW hydro electric scheme on the farm which generates enough electricity for about 70 homes and they have now almost completed another 100KW scheme, which will generate electricity for 90 homes. They are also planning a third hydro scheme - a smaller 28KW facility.

Tegwyn said: "Our diversification into hydro-electric generation brings extra income to the farm and therefore enables Guto and Huw to gain employment from the holding.

"I have a passion for generating clean and renewable energy but it is often tempered by the frustrations of working through the logjam of red tape which has greatly hindered our work in developing the hydro schemes.

"Some of these frustrations include the protracted time it takes to get permission from the Environment Agency and the Welsh Government's highways department."

Tegwyn's inspiration in setting up the hydro schemes has been his great interest in the fact that many upland farms had their own schemes years ago.

His grandfather, the late Roland Evans, set up many hydro schemes in the area in the 1930s, including one to serve Dinas Mawddwy village which ran for 30 years. The whole issue of hydro schemes is, therefore, very much in his blood.

Tegwyn's first scheme has now been running for over eight years and the income it produces has given a tremendous boost to the farming operations, with minimal labour input and low maintenance. Much of the work on the power house and pipeline was done by himself with the assistance of a local contractor.

But the one big drawback is that there is no direct power connection for the family's needs. Like everyone else, they have to pay for their electricity.

The family's holdings currently extend to a total of 1,030 hectares comprising Talglannau, Braich Llwyd and Gelliddolen in Mallwyd and a further 205 acres at the recently-purchased farm known as Elgar, Bow Street, near Aberystwyth.

All of the land is farmed organically and stocking includes 750 Welsh mountain ewes and 500 Lleyn ewes. The lambs are sold through live markets or directly to Dunbia slaughterhouse.

A total of 27 suckler cows are also kept with the calves sold as stores in Dolgellau market at 18-24 months.

"Tegwyn can certainly be considered an enterprising and successful farmer and needs to be congratulated warmly on his achievement," said Emyr Jones.

Both Tegwyn and Catrin Jones also have much wider interests and contribute immensely to their local communities. He is also a well known name in bardic circles and eisteddfodau and has composed many outstanding works of poetry.