A genuine friend of Welsh farmers and farming in general is how North Wales AM Brynle Williams should be fondly remembered, said Farmers' Union of Wales president Gareth Vaughan today.

Mr Williams was vice chairman of the FUW's Flintshire branch in 2000 when he was one of the leaders of farmers' protests at Stanlow oil refinery at Ellesmere Port when week-long blockades over escalating fuel prices spread and brought the country to a standstill.

"Brynle went on to become chairman of the branch between 2001 and 2003 until he was first elected as a Conservative AM for North Wales," said Mr Vaughan.

"He was also an enthusiastic and popular member of the union's central land use and parliamentary committee at this time and I know FUW members across Wales would want me to pass on their heartfelt sympathy to all his family and friends.

"Since becoming an AM he stayed firmly rooted in his farming background and fought tirelessly for farming and rural areas. He remained a genuine friend of Welsh farmers and farming in general.

"He was always easily accessible, helpful and cheerful. His selfless devotion to securing a better future for Welsh farming will be sorely missed by everyone."

The Farmers' Union of Wales has organised a meeting tomorrow night (Thursday March 31) at the Eagles Hotel, Llanrwst, for electors to meet prospective candidates for the Aberconwy constituency in the Welsh Assembly elections on May 5.

The candidates present will be Janet Finch Saunders (Conservative); Iwan Hughes (Plaid Cymru) and Eifion Wyn Williams (Labour) plus a representative from the Liberal Democrats.

FUW Denbighshire county executive officer Marian Jones said: "We hope that this will be an opportunity for the party representatives to present their policies for the election and it will be a chance to ask questions and discuss various issues with them.

"This is an important meeting as this is the way in which the electorate can ensure the candidates are made aware of the concerns of rural areas, such as the agricultural industry, affordable housing, various services in rural areas, and local government policies."

The Farmers’ Union of Wales today expressed its disappointment after a specially convened meeting of the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) in Llangollen decided to proceed with the proposed extension of the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The proposal will now be sent to the Welsh Assembly Government for a final decision.

The meeting received a number of presentations from parties with an interest in the proposal including FUW Denbighshire and Flintshire counties executive officer Marian Jones who spoke about the union’s objections and concerns over the impact the designation would have on farming and local communities within the area.

Following the meeting Mrs. Jones said: “It has long been recognised that farming has helped to create and maintain the landscape in this area of Wales. We are disappointed that despite the majority of respondents objecting to the plans outlined in the draft designation order consultation, the CCW has decided to pursue its proposal to extend the Clwydian Range AONB.

“The union will continue to highlight its opposition to the designation during the run-up to the Welsh Assembly Government elections,” she added.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales today welcomed the National Assembly’s large majority vote in support of a north Pembrokeshire badger cull but has slammed anti-cull AMs for misleading statements made during the debate at the Senedd.

FUW member and north Pembrokeshire farmer Brian Thomas, who attended the debate, said: “The overwhelming support for the policy is welcome, and gives a clear sign that the majority of AMs are prepared to grasp the nettle and act responsibly regarding a severe disease crisis, despite misleading campaigns by animal rights activists.

“However, I was stunned by the inaccuracy and misleading nature of some of the statements made by those proposing the motion to stop the cull, and it is a disgrace that such statements were made in our National Assembly chamber.”

AMs Peter Black, Lorraine Barrett, Irene James and Jenny Randerson had tabled a motion to annul The Badger (Control Area) (Wales) Order 2011. It was rejected by 42 votes to 8.

“Mr Black quoted what he described as the latest data published by the Independent Science Group in February 2010," said Mr Thomas.

“Yet that group was disbanded almost four years ago, and he chose to quote data and conclusions which he knows were superseded and corrected in July 2010."

Mr Thomas said that this was just one of a series of totally misleading statements made by the anti-cull AMs.

“People have a perfect right to object to culling on whatever grounds they see fit, but for Assembly Members to mislead the National Assembly, whether by accident or otherwise, is disgraceful.

“It is not too much to ask that those who are elected to rule Wales are properly briefed. If Assembly Members receive figures from groups such as Pembrokeshire Against the Cull, which has admitted giving out untruthful and unsubstantiated information in the past, they should be astute enough to check their facts before speaking in our Assembly."

Mr Thomas also hit out at rock star Brian May for his involvement in the anti-cull campaign.

“Brian May describes TB as a ‘‘virus’’. This is so inaccurate it is like describing cattle as a species of fish, and shows that everything else he says should be taken with a massive pinch of salt.

“People who have strong views and are obsessed with single issues tend to be blinkered when it comes to looking at the facts and inevitable get things seriously wrong.

“Thankfully, the majority of AMs have taken a step back, properly assessed the evidence, and supported the cull.”