FUW welcomes BPS announcement but warns system must be developed - not scrapped

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed today’s (Monday, November 25) announcement by Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths that 75% of farmers (almost 12,000) will receive their full BPS 2019 payment on day one of the payment window, while businesses that do not receive their full payment, and have applied for the BPS Support scheme, will receive up to 90% of their BPS 2019 claim value.

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We understand the Welsh Government has been under pressure due to preparations for Brexit and therefore welcome the fact that despite the challenges 75% of farmers will receive their BPS payment.

“The Minister’s decision to once again implement a loan scheme this year was also very welcome, and we have encouraged all our members to apply, and helped many thousands to do just that.

“I would also urge those farmers who have not applied for the BPS loan yet, to do so before the November 29 deadline,” he added.

Those who have applied for the BPS loan, worth around 90% of their estimated 2019 BPS payment, can expect their money to be with them from 9 December. 

Mr Roberts said that most of the money arriving in farm accounts through the BPS would go out in the coming weeks to other businesses which are directly or indirectly involved in agriculture, such as agricultural suppliers and vets, thereby supporting tens of thousands of Welsh livelihoods and businesses.

The Union President also welcomed the confirmation that the Welsh Government intended to extend the Basic Payment Scheme to 2021 - but warned of the dangers and disruption that could be seen if such direct support was abandoned in the future.

“Abandoning direct support that underpins safe, high-quality food production when our key competitors have no intention of doing the same would damage our economy, environment, landscape, language and culture.

Mr Roberts said that the Welsh Government’s excellent track-record over the past fifteen years of releasing a large percentage of direct payments on the first day of the payment window demonstrated how important it was to develop the current scheme and online system, which he described as second to none compared with others in the UK and EU.

“We have the opportunity to carefully develop the current system into something that delivers so much more without losing its core advantages.

“Changes which result in the loss of the current system, which is the envy of the rest of the UK, and its replacement with complex environmental contracts would be a massive own goal and a step backwards - not to mention immensely damaging for Welsh businesses.”

Pembrokeshire Bingo Night Extravaganza raises over £700 for charity

The Pembrokeshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales held a successful bingo evening in aid of the DPJ Foundation, raising over £700 on the night.

The DPJ Foundation was set up in July 2016 following the death of Daniel Picton-Jones. The foundation aims to support people in rural communities with poor mental health, especially men in the agricultural sector. 

Agriculture carries one of the highest rates of suicide and with mental health being such a big problem across society the foundation aims to break down the stigma that surrounds mental health and provide support services for those in rural communities.

FUW Pembrokeshire County Executive Officer Rebecca Voyle said: “A big thank you to everyone who came along to support our recent charity bingo, you helped us raise the fantastic sum of £746.01 for the President’s charity, The DPJ Foundation. A big thank you is also extended to Cuckoo Mill Farm for their continued support.”

Farming Unions and YFC to host General Election hustings for Preseli Pembrokeshire

Both farming unions and the local YFC have come together in Pembrokeshire to ensure that their membership has the opportunity to quiz the prospective parliamentary candidates for the Preseli Pembrokeshire constituency at an upcoming General Election hustings. 

The hustings, which will take place on Thursday 28th November at the Wolfscastle Country Hotel at 7.30 pm, will give members the opportunity to hear from the candidates about their respective parties’ policies for agriculture. 

In a joint statement, the organisations noted: “In a period of political uncertainty, where our future trading relationship with the European Union remains unclear, this is an important opportunity for every farmer to quiz their prospective member of parliament on how they view the way forward. 

“With much of the debate centred on national and international issues, these events are also an opportunity for our farming members to engage with the candidates about some of the more local issues that affect their livelihood and community. 

“We would encourage members of the farming community to take up this opportunity to pose questions to those that seek to represent them in the Preseli Pembrokeshire constituency in the next parliament at Westminster.”

Farming Unions host Vale of Glamorgan hustings

Wales’ two farming Unions - NFU Cymru and the Farmers’ Union of Wales -  have come together in the Vale of Glamorgan to ensure that their membership has the opportunity to quiz the general election hopefuls in an agricultural husting event. 

The details for  the events are as follows: 

The Bear Hotel, Cowbridge - Wednesday, 27 November, 7.30 pm

In a joint statement, the organisations noted: “In a period of political uncertainty, where our future trading relationship with the European Union remains unclear, this is an important opportunity for every farmer to quiz their prospective member of parliament on how they view the way forward.

“With much of the debate centred on national and international issues, these events are also an opportunity for our farming members to engage with the candidates about some of the more local issues that affect their livelihood and community.

“We would encourage members of the farming community to take up this opportunity to pose questions to those that seek to represent them in the next parliament at Westminster.”

Unions join forces to hold hustings in Vale of Clwyd

Wales’ two farming Unions - NFU Cymru and the Farmers’ Union of Wales -  have come together in Denbigh and Flintshire to ensure that their membership has the opportunity to quiz the general election hopefuls in an agricultural husting event. 

The details for the events are as follows: 

Llysfasi College, Lecture theatre, Ruthin Road, Llysfasi, Ruthin LL15 2LB - Monday 9 December at 7.30 pm

In a joint statement, the organisations noted: “In a period of political uncertainty, where our future trading relationship with the European Union remains unclear, this is an important opportunity for every farmer to quiz their prospective member of parliament on how they view the way forward.

“With much of the debate centred on national and international issues, these events are also an opportunity for our farming members to engage with the candidates about some of the more local issues that affect their livelihood and community.

“We would encourage members of the farming community to take up this opportunity to pose questions to those that seek to represent them in the next parliament at Westminster.”

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