[caption id="attachment_4387" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Farmers' Union of Wales Denbighshire area officer Natasha Lewis[/caption]

Farmers' Union of Wales Denbighshire area officer Natasha Lewis has been presented with the union's award for the highest insurance book growth last year.

Natasha, 26, of Hengoed, near Oswestry, received her award from the union's new president Emyr Jones, of Rhosygwaliau, Bala, who said FUW Insurance is by now probably the biggest rural broker in Wales.

"Premium income is growing at £130,000 per month and we can insure all rural risks," he said. "Area officers are working hard and achieving their growth targets.

"To be an effective union we must be properly funded. This award is to acknowledge the best growth performance."

Natasha joined the FUW just over four years ago. "Previously, I worked for the NFU so I have been employed in the insurance industry for just over six years.

"I enjoy being out and about in the countryside meeting lots of different people. I was bought up on a sheep and beef farm in the village of Glyn Ceiriog and attend Llangollen YFC and Whittington and Oswestry YFC."

She lives with her partner Rob Davies who is a dairy farmer. "I have a very strong interest in horses and I have my own Welsh Cob stud Glynllan and in my spare time I enjoy helping on the family farm."

Natasha would be pleased to discuss any aspect of insurance requirements with both new and existing customers. She can be contacted on 07791 561 848.

[caption id="attachment_4384" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Farmers' Union of Wales Carmarthenshire county executive officer Meinir Bartlett[/caption]

An award in memory of the Farmers' Union of Wales top officer in Carmarthenshire for over 20 years has been won by the current county executive officer Meinir Bartlett and her Carmarthen-based team.

Meinir picked up the Owen Slaymaker Award given annually to the county branch that has best promoted the interests of members and the union at every opportunity and effectively raised the union's profile through organised events, functions and meetings.

Mr Slaymaker was the FUW's Carmarthenshire county secretary from 1970-90 and county executive officer from 1990-91 when he died in service.

Presenting the award to Meinir at the FUW's recent annual general meeting, new president Emyr Jones said: "Our agricultural policy, public relations and administration departments assess the winner on the basis of what’s been achieved during the year and who has gone that extra mile on behalf of members.

"They look for quality of policy consultation responses, press contributions and promoting the union and its activities at every opportunity, whilst taking good care of members’ needs."

In addition to farm visits and many other activities, Meinir and her team organised two events at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, including a fund-raising dinner and an “Agriculture & Countryside” display during a Scarlets v Ulster match when a Welsh Black bull was paraded around the pitch.

Meinir joined the FUW 15 years ago after working for the Milk Marketing Board and Milk Marque. During her time with Milk Marque she was in charge of the department dealing with the introduction of the automotive data collection department responsible for recording the number of litres collected and quality results from individual farms.

Paying tribute to her staff and union officials, she said: "I thoroughly enjoy dealing with farmers and all aspects of rural life which I believe are of paramount importance to Wales."

Her hobbies include spending time with her family, history, reading and walking.

[caption id="attachment_4381" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Farmers' Union of Wales South Pembrokeshire area officer Susie Morgan[/caption]

Farmers' Union of Wales South Pembrokeshire area officer Susie Morgan has been presented with the union's insurance services award for the most improved performance linked to business development.

Presenting the award at the union's annual general meeting in Aberystwyth, new president Emyr Jones said: "This award is associated with all aspects of an area officer’s work.

"We have seen dramatic changes to our insurance services delivery system during the last four years and this award reflects positive attitude to these changes.

"It reflects growth, collecting on time, administration, electronic trading, new business and customer care. Indeed, becoming a better area officer."

Susie, of Jeffreyston, Kilgetty, said: "Having worked with the FUW now for 10 years the recent changes within the insurance department mean we are no longer dependant on a single insurer.

"This has set me in good stead to service my customers with a wide range of products underwritten by a panel of specialist commercial, agricultural and personal lines insurance companies.

"Coming from a farming background I have pleasure in visiting farms to discuss their insurance needs and ensuring the cover provided is adequate for their needs. It is not just for farmers that we can offer competitive insurance but also cover for shops and offices, builders and contractors, small businesses, private and commercial vehicles, and home and contents."

In her spare time she enjoys helping on the farm and looking after her horses along with being secretary of her local show, Martletwy Show, which will be held on Wednesday August 24 at Carew Airfield, Sageston.

She would be pleased to discuss any aspect of insurance requirements with both new and existing customers. She can be contacted on 07968 076 180.

The decision of MEPs from across the political spectrum to support the "Dess Report" on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was described by new Farmers' Union of Wales president Emyr Jones today as a significant step forward.

However, in welcoming the report's general thrust and its emphasis on food production, Mr Jones expressed concern over proposals to introduce further "greening measures" into the regime.

"The significant emphasis on the need to retain the CAP budget and ensure continued food production in the EU is welcome, and demonstrates that MEPs are aware of the major challenges facing the world over the coming decades," he said. "However, unless we are careful ''greening'' will simply serve to limit food production.

"The FUW continues to argue that any greening measures should be focused on maximising production while minimising environmental impact in a way which actually benefits both the environment and farmers, for example by reducing input costs and increasing efficiency."

The report approved by the MEPs proposes that payments are subject to farmers choosing greening measures from a menu which could include lowering carbon emissions, capturing greenhouse gas emissions, buffer strips, field margins, hedges, maintaining permanent pasture, crop rotation and crop diversity plans.

The report also gives the go-ahead to capping of individual CAP payments made to farmers.

"The FUW has consulted widely with its membership over capping and the clear view is that the membership does not object to the principle so long as the number of employees or family members supported by farm businesses is taken into account," said Mr Jones.

The report also calls for suitable policy instruments to be put in place to support the dairy industry after the abolition of milk quotas in 2015.

"The FUW has long been opposed to the abolition of the quota regime because of the disruption and dangers which will accompany the move, not least increases in price volatility and the dangers of over-production without any safety net. It now seems that Europe has finally woken up to these.

The Commission's detailed legislative proposals on CAP reform are due to be released in October and must be drawn up in light of the contents of the report.