A plan to re-introduce a pair of European beavers into the Welsh countryside has been criticised by the Farmers' Union of Wales.

Ceredigion-based Wales Wild Land Foundation is in the process of building an enclosed habitat for the beavers at Artist's Valley, near Machynlleth, and is hoping to introduce the beavers this coming summer.

"The introduction of any non-native species into the country is a great concern for farmers in Wales," said FUW's land use and parliamentary chairman Richard Vaughan.

"We only have to look at the problems associated with the grey squirrel and rabbit, both non-native species, to see the potential for conflict in the future.

"The Union is also concerned at the problems Scotland is currently experiencing where beavers have escaped from private collections and are evading capture whilst travelling long distances, causing significant damage to trees.

"It seems a re-introduction of a species that has not been native to Wales since the 12th century is crazy .

"We are concerned that the introduction of these animals could ultimately cause conflict with agricultural and forestry management. If these animals should escape they are legally protected by EU legislation and, as currently reported in Scotland, controlling them could prove difficult.

"Recent experiences within the industry, particularly with regards to controlling the spread of bovine TB in wildlife, has left many farmers wary of any project that could introduce a potentially problem species into Wales," Mr Vaughan added.

[caption id="attachment_4294" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Gareth Vaughan[/caption]

The next Welsh Assembly Government and its AMs were urged to recognise the key role family farms can play in tackling the major challenges of our age when the Farmers' Union of Wales launched its election manifesto today.

The manifesto "Farming For All Our Futures" has been posted on the FUW's website www.fuw.org.uk and published in an eight-page bilingual supplement of the April edition of the union's monthly newspaper Y Tir/Welsh Farmer which is distributed to all members.

The manifesto - which includes sections on the Common Agricultural Policy, red tape and bureaucracy, bovine TB, local procurement, the rural economy, rural broadband, the environment, and more powers for Wales - can also be found on Y Tir/Welsh Farmer's website www.welshfarmer.com

Revealing the manifesto document, FUW president Gareth Vaughan told the union's finance and organisation committee, meeting in Aberystwyth today, that after the May 5 election the incoming AMs and Government will be faced with tackling a host of challenges - many unprecedented - with a significantly reduced budget.

With the world's population estimated to rise to nine or ten billion by 2050 and global agricultural productivity facing major challenges, he said, their policies must ensure we are prepared for the imminent challenges global warming, rising sea levels and peak oil production levels represent in terms of food security.

"The FUW believes that ensuring a vibrant and prosperous farming industry is pivotal to addressing these issues, and that at the centre of the picture lies a key entity which is often overlooked and undervalued, namely the family farm.

"Compared with other regions, I believe that Wales has genuinely benefited from successive administrations which recognise the importance of agriculture to our economy, landscape and culture.

"However, if Wales is to rise to these new challenges, our politicians must resist the temptation to introduce short-sighted policies which undermine the family farm, and those politicians who ignore the family farm do so at our peril."

Advances in the devolution process mean that those elected to the Assembly have significant control over Welsh agriculture and have a duty to lobby those at higher levels of government for what is best for Wales, Mr Vaughan added.

"The FUW's concerns and aspirations regarding the most significant of these issues are highlighted in this manifesto.

"The FUW is not affiliated to any political party and, therefore, has a duty to work with the government of the day and the opposition parties, irrespective of their political persuasions.

"For the period of the next National Assembly and beyond the FUW is committed to lobbying all those in Cardiff to ensure that agriculture and family farms receive the attention and respect that they warrant - for the sake of all our futures."

The Farmers' Union of Wales' Flintshire branch has arranged a meeting at the Stamford Gate Hotel, Holywell, on Monday April 18 (starting at 7.30pm) for local farmers to meet the prospective candidates for the Delyn constituency of the four main political parties in the Welsh Assembly Elections on May 5.

The four candidates present will be: Mathew Wright (Conservative); Carrie Harper (Plaid Cymru); Sandy Mewies (Labour) and Michelle Jones (Lib Dem).

FUW's Flintshire county executive officer Marian Jones said: "We hope that this will be an opportunity for the candidates to present their policies for the election and it will be a chance for people to question and discuss various issues with the prospective candidates.

"This is an important meeting as it is the way in which the agricultural industry can ensure the candidates are made aware of the various situation which concern the rural areas, such as the agricultural industry, affordable housing, various services in rural areas, and the policies of the Local Government."

The Farmers' Union of Wales today announced its support in principle of the National Trust's bid to buy an iconic farm in Snowdonia.

Llyndy Isaf, a 614-acre farm in Nant Gwynant, Beddgelert, has been offered for sale to the National Trust by present owner, Ken Owen, who is retiring after farming the land for 35 years.

Mr Owen has given the National Trust a year to raise funds as he believes the organisation is best placed to continue his work and manage the farm sensitively in the future, keeping a balance between farming and conservation and allowing people to have quiet enjoyment of the area.

FUW's Caernarfonshire county executive officer Gwynedd Watkin said: "We welcome the National Trust's plans to invest in the farm and provide an opportunity for a local farmer to earn a living at Llyndy whilst bringing economic and cultural benefits to the community.

"We understand there will also be an offer of part-time work at neighbouring Hafod y Llan which sounds like an ideal package for potential young entrants to the industry.

"This is a unique opportunity to purchase a very special farm that has been very well looked after by the present owner, and if the National Trust is successful in raising sufficient funds we understand they will work with the local liaison committee established 13 years ago by the Trust after it bought the Hafod y Llan farm on Snowdon."