The Farmers’ Union of Wales today welcomed the Assembly rural development sub-committee’s call for a “champion” to boost the dairy industry in Wales.

But the union also expressed bitter disappointment that the conclusions of the sub-committee’s inquiry did not deal with the controversial issue of the abolition of milk quotas in 2015.

“We support the wide-ranging recommendations made in this report,” said FUW milk committee chairman Eifion Huws, when it was launched at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.

“Their conclusions tie in with policies advocated by the FUW for many years, particularly in terms of the equitable distribution of profits along the supply chain and the appointment of an ombudsman.

“However, we are disappointed that, in the current climate where hundreds of thousands of dairy farmers across Europe are protesting against the abolition of milk quotas, this issue has been blanked.

“In evidence to the committee the FUW highlighted the findings of numerous reports that show the abandonment of the quota regime will reduce farm-gate prices and milk production in Wales.

“This is a critical issue for the Welsh dairy industry, and there is a real need for a proper debate on the matter.

“That debate is raging on the continent but it is being largely ignored in Wales and the UK despite its critical importance to the sector.”

The Farmers' Union of Wales has selected Wales Air Ambulance as its chosen charity for 2010, it was announced at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair (November 30-December 1).

The union's president Gareth Vaughan said the air ambulance service was a most appropriate and fully deserving cause for a national organisation representing rural areas such as the FUW. "It a registered charity, wholly dependent on public donations.

"The annual cost of sustaining their three air bases, which cover the whole of Wales from Caernarfon, Welshpool and Swansea airports, is £5m and only through continued public support are they able to meet these targets. Due to Wales’ widely scattered population and diverse landscape, there is a proven need for their helicopters to be fully operational throughout the year.

"I am well aware the Air Ambulance has been a lifesaver time and time again in all parts of rural Wales and as a representative of the farming industry I and my fellow FUW officials are proud to be associated with such a vital service and we will do all we can to raise as much money as possible throughout 2010."

Wales Air Ambulance chief executive Angela Hughes said: “We are delighted that the Farmers' Union of Wales has chosen Wales Air Ambulance as their nominated charity.
"Our ability to reach rural locations when time really matters has meant that we have had a long standing association with the farming community in Wales, and this is a fantastic opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between the charity and the rural communities that we serve.

"Active support from the public plays an important role in ensuring that we meet the huge cost of keeping our helicopters flying, and we are proud to be linked with such a prominent investor in the community.

"This exciting partnership will not only help increase awareness of the work of the ambulance crews, but also ensure that we continue to provide a lifesaving service across Wales, and we are looking forward to working with the union and its members over the coming year.”

Wales Air Ambulance is a registered charity providing emergency air cover 365 days a year for those who face life-threatening illness or injuries. Since its launch on St David’s Day in 2001, its three red helicopters, stationed in Mid, North and South Wales, respond to around 1,500 emergencies a year, saving countless lives across Wales.

Owing to the diversity of the landscape in Wales, the "helimed" service is vital for reaching both the remote countryside and busy towns and cities when time really matters. From mountain tops to back gardens, the helicopters can be anywhere in Wales within just 20 minutes.

In heavily congested urban areas, the ability to land within close proximity of the patient has proved critical in response to road traffic accidents. Equally, a helicopter can make a vital difference in rural locations, saving valuable time in areas where a land ambulance simply can not reach.

There are two advanced life support paramedics on each aircraft trained in the latest techniques in pre-hospital emergency care ensure the patient receives the most effective treatment for his or her condition. It is widely believed that a patient’’s chances of survival and early recovery are significantly increased if they receive the right care within the first hour, otherwise known as the "Golden Hour".

The fast response times of the Air Ambulance crews and their ability to reach such difficult locations increases the chances of a patient receiving definitive care within the this crucial hour.

The charitable service does not receive direct funding from central government. Additionally, due to its role as an emergency service, it also fails to qualify for National Lottery Funding. The money is therefore raised through charitable donations, fundraising events, and membership of their lifesaving lottery.

Wales Air Ambulance operates all over Wales and so any money donated to the charity will be used to assist people in their local community in their time of dire need.

The Farmers' Union of Wales has teamed up with Dalton ID Systems to offer its members a discount scheme for cattle and sheep tags that is being launched at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair (November 30-December 1).

The deal provides a 10% discount on Dalton cattle tags, free replacements when ordered from January 1, a 24-hour replacement service, and a free applicator with the first order.

And due to the potential combined buying power of thousands of farmers the union has also managed to negotiate a discount of up to 35% on the costs of electronic tags for sheep if ordered before March 31.

"We in Dalton ID Systems are fully aware that farmers are unhappy with the introduction of electronic tagging of sheep," said the company's UK national sales and business development manager Tudur Wynne.

"However, I'm looking forward to working closely with the union. This deal has meant that we could negotiate with our suppliers to reduce the cost of the materials and therefore reduce the cost of implementing EID on farms across Wales.

"It proves the proverb 'mewn undeb mae nerth' (in union there's strength)," Mr Wynne added.

Dalton was established in 1947 and, despite becoming a worldwide recognised brand, has remained a family-owned business for over 60 years. It was the first company to patent and produce two-piece plastic ear tags.

FUW business development director Emyr James, who helped negotiate the scheme, said: "During the Winter Fair we will have examples of the tags and supporting literature on display on our stand in the Livestock Complex Hall. Details of the ordering procedures for tags are also available at all FUW county offices."

The farming industry and government must act without delay to attract younger people into agriculture in Wales where the average age of farmers is 58, the 19-year-old winner of the Farmers' Union of Wales student bursary has demanded.

Iestyn Russell, who is studying rural enterprise and land management at Harper Adams University College, Shropshire, chose to write a 1,000-word essay on the topic "What should the Welsh farming industry and government do to attract more young people into agriculture?" as his submission for the £700 bursary.

"This question has been the subject of debate for several years. We need to deal with the problem now or our industry will face major problems in the future," the Lampeter farmer’s son wrote.

He added: "Rural Wales’ young people are quite prepared to bridge the gap and take responsibility, but we must ask why they are not offered a chance to move forward within agriculture in Wales.

"Older farmers must take a step back and give young people a chance to experiment with their own ideas. But what encourages this to happen? Not a lot at the moment, but there are plenty of possibilities.

"Firstly, the profile of agriculture has to be raised in the public’s eyes. Farmers in this country do not get the respect, praise or the price they deserve, so this would be a good place to start. An advertising campaign on the television and in the daily newspapers would be worth considering.

"Perhaps the public would be willing to pay more for local produce and support Welsh farmers instead of buying imported food. They should be aware of the high level of care farmers in this country give their stock and they, therefore, deserve a better price for better produce."

Iestyn, an enthusiastic member of Cwmann YFC and this year's Wales YFC best junior stockman, also worked on the family's dairy and sheep farm at Cwmann, near Lampeter, and on a neighbouring beef and sheep farm before deciding to go to university to study for a degree "but my dream of farming is still as real as ever".

Speaking for the bursary scheme's judging panel, FUW agricultural education and training committee chairman Alun Edwards said they were very impressed with the way Iestyn expressed himself during his interview and in his written submission.

"We were confident that his broad knowledge of the industry will serve him well in the future. The submissions of the other award winners were also of a high standard."

Iestyn suggested other ways to attract more young people into farming could include schemes to assist the transfer of farms from the older generation to the younger generation. "Would some sort of pension scheme for the more experienced farmers work?

"Farmers could be offered a pension scheme to enable them to retire earlier, at 55 years old for example. Or keep the age as it is at present but offer them more money.

"Some sort of a succession scheme which would make the process of changing the people who run or own a farm easier would be a good idea. It would motivate both parties and avoid a long, drawn out process which is slow and expensive.

"This would mean looking closely at the rules of inheritance tax. One idea would be to reduce the rate if one member of the family was going to carry on farming the farm."

He acknowledged that the Welsh Assembly Government recently announced a scheme to support people under 40 years of age to make a living out of agriculture by offering a one-off payment of £15,000 to cover the costs new farmers face when they establish themselves as head of a holding for the first time.

"They also offer support to encourage share farming or joint ventures between young people. And another part of the scheme is that young farmers are mentored by an older, more experienced farmer.

“I believe that this is an excellent idea as it combines the new ideas and enthusiasm of young people with the older farmers’ experience and knowledge."

Iestyn stressed that depopulation, especially of young people, in rural areas had been a problem for years. Young people can find better, cleaner jobs elsewhere with more spare time and, more importantly, more money.

"Farming is one of the hardest jobs and, therefore, people who do this job deserve a fair wage. Unfortunately, the prices farmers receive are not enough and a fairer price is needed.

"The Government could set a threshold below which prices could not drop. This would not be favourable to the public or to private processing companies, but it would benefit the milk industry and this could offer a solution and prevent farmers from ceasing milk production.

"A ban on cheap imported foods would mean that farmers in this country could be better supported in order to increase production levels to satisfy the demand for food. It’s likely that this would create more jobs on farms and would reward farmers for their hard work.

"The Government could reduce some of the paper work which cripples and takes up farmers’ time. This would make the industry more attractive for young people to enter and more time would be spent on the land instead of in an office.

"There are numerous ways to tackle this old problem, but something needs to be done at once to give young people a fair chance. The responsibility not only lies with the Government and the industry, but also with the current and future farmers."

Runner-up to Iestyn is 19-year-old David Evans, of Groeswen Farm House, Groeswen, Cardiff, who has just started a four-year agriculture BSc degree course at Aberystwyth University. He receives £200.

Third is 22-year-old Manod Williams, of Tregerddan, Bow Street, near Aberystwyth, who has also just embarked on a BSc course in agriculture with animal science at Aberystwyth. He receives £100.