The FUW’s Livestock and Hill farming committees have described Welsh Government plans to introduce a pan-Wales ‘NVZ’ type regulations as disastrous for the livestock industry.

Speaking after a joint meeting of the two committees on Wednesday (February 22), FUW hill farming and marginal land committee chairman Rheinallt Hughes said: “This was the first opportunity committee members had to consider the plans in detail, and there was a general air of disbelief that the Welsh Government want to introduce reems of restrictions, rules and paperwork for even our most remote and extensively farmed areas.”

Mr Hughes said that farmers were only slowly becoming aware of the plans, and that anger was rising within the industry that such a draconian approach was being brought forward at a time when all the figures suggest Wales’ agriculture industry could be the worst affected by Brexit.

“The fact that such a draconian blanket approach is being planned goes against the Welsh Government's commitment in December 2017 to strike ‘the right balance of comprehensive regulatory measures, voluntary measures and investment’ and ‘...explore further options to provide land managers with flexibility, where these would achieve the same or better outcomes than a regulatory approach,’” added Mr Hughes.

Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths announced the plans in a written statement in November last year, after which it became apparent that the majority of the plans had simply ‘been cut-and-pasted’ from the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) rules currently affecting just 2.3% of Wales.

A successful information evening to discuss bovine TB within the Denbigh and Flintshire counties, arranged by the local Farmers’ Union of Wales branch, has resulted in the formation of a new discussion group.

The event, which was held at the Hanmer Arms, near Whitchurch, heard from APHA representatives and the North Wales TB Eradication Board, with FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright also answering questions.  

FUW Denbigh and Flint CEO Mari Dafydd Jones said: “We held this meeting as we have many members that are being affected by TB within this area.  

“The level of TB in cattle has not shown any significant decline and new TB spikes have developed in the Intermediate TB Area.

“Alongside frustration at the lack of progress in the High TB Area, there is growing concern amongst members that previously clean areas are now at risk of a TB incursion.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has welcomed a call by North Wales police earlier this month to review legislation pertaining to the 1953 Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act in a bid to reduce the number of dog attacks on livestock in Wales.

Current interpretation of the 1953 Act means that Police cannot seize a dog and keep it if the owner is known; even if the same dog is responsible for multiple attacks. A court has no power to ban an offender from getting another dog following a conviction.

Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Senior Policy Officer said: “Livestock worrying continues to be an important issue for FUW members and the Union has repeatedly documented the wide-reaching emotional and financial damage that dog attacks can cause.

“Livestock worrying is complex and we continue to be frustrated that livestock attacks by dogs show no sign of abating.  Despite significant industry investment, many members of the public remain unaware that their family pet can attack, injure or kill livestock.”

Many dog attacks happen by unaccompanied dogs that have strayed from the home environment and messages about keeping dogs on a lead near livestock can therefore only form part of the solution.  The FUW therefore welcomes the call by North Wales police to further scrutinise existing legislation in order to make it fit for purpose and to proactively prevent dog attacks.

The West Wales FUW Academy, including the Ceredigion, Carmarthen, Brecon and Pembrokeshire branches, recently discussed a host of #FarmingMatters , including the threat Brexit poses to farming families, when they met with Mid and West Wales Regional AM Eluned Morgan.

The meeting was held on Thursday, February 7, at Cwmcowddu Farm, Llangadog, a mixed 350 acre family farm, which is home of the Davies’ family, who have diversified into egg production to future-proof their business.  

Delegates enjoyed a tour of the farm, seeing the egg production unit which was set up in 2017 and is now home to 32,000 hens, as well as the dairy, beef and sheep production aspect of the farm.

Speaking at the event, Chris Davies said: “Most people have specialised in one commodity over the last decade but we have rightly or wrongly stayed a mixed unit. We have a daughter Ffion and two sons, Aled and Rhodri, who are the fourth generation on the farm. The boys are both keen to remain in the industry, but with the price of land continuing to rise it is becoming more and more difficult to make a reasonable return from the investment.”

“As a family we therefore decided to diversify into the free range egg sector. The egg industry is very similar to dairy, in the sense that you are still tied to the farm seven days a week, 365 days of the year, with volatile prices, but without the lack of sleep during calving.

“How the business does from now on will to a degree depend on what trade deals we can get, but also what farming policy looks here at home. We’re grateful to have been able to discuss some of those worries with Eluned Morgan here on farm and hope that the Welsh Government will do what is within their power and provide the stability that is desperately needed,” said Sian Davies.

Brexit and its implication for family farms, such as Cwmcowddu, were further discussed and FUW Carmarthen CEO David Waters said: “Contingency planning for a hard Brexit must be stepped up. The Welsh Government has to work alongside other UK Governments to ensure action can be taken at short notice to protect our farmers and food producers from the sort of catastrophe we have only previously witnessed during Foot and Mouth disease outbreaks.