The South Wales FUW Academy, comprising the Union’s Gwent, Glamorgan and Brecon and Radnor branches, are putting on a coach trip to the UK’s leading Farm Machinery Equipment and Services Show, which is moving inside to the NEC in Birmingham.

The trip has been arranged for Tuesday 8 January and those joining the event will be leaving from Monmouthshire Livestock Centre at 8am and returning from Birmingham at 5.30pm.

FUW Gwent CEO Glyn Davies said: “We are really excited about this event. It is a unique opportunity to see the very latest in agricultural machinery, equipment and services with more than 800 exhibitors taking part and its free to get in.

"The only cost to members will be the coach, which is £10 per head. I would advise you to book your seat as soon as possible though as it’s looking to be a popular event.”
Please contact the county office on 01873 853280 or Chris Lewis on 07792 232758 to book your place.

Farmers in Carmarthenshire will have the opportunity to get up to speed with the new tax rules, which come into force on 1 April 2019. The ‘Making tax digital’ scheme will see millions of businesses and self-employed people having to file multiple tax returns each year.

So in order to help those VAT-registered businesses with a taxable turnover above the VAT threshold, the Carmarthen branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is hosting a special information evening.

Held at Llanarthney village hall on Thursday 3 January 2019, at 8.00pm, those attending the event will hear all about the scheme from Eirian Humphreys of LHP accountants and have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.

FUW Carmarthen CEO David Waters said: “This new way of filing your taxes has the potential to be a real headache for our farmers, especially as paper returns will no longer be accepted. I hope that many can join us for the evening and get up to speed on the new way filing their tax returns.”

For more information contact the FUW Carmarthen office on 01267 237974.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the recommendations outlined in the Welsh Government’s Quarantine Unit (QU) review following an announcement made earlier today (Monday 10 December) by the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths.

QUs were introduced in Wales in September 2017 in an attempt to provide industry with an alternative to the six day standstill rule.

Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Senior Policy Officer, said: “At present, the cost and impractical nature of QU rules represent a major obstacle to uptake and the FUW is therefore pleased that the recommendations made by Welsh Government recognised these issues.”

The Welsh Government QU review identified 9 recommendations for improvement, with 7 of these to be given consideration in the New Year.

These include exploring the possibility of amending the 24 hour reporting rule, allowing greater discretion for QU inspectors when considering compliance with requirements and the possibility of a funding stream to aid livestock keepers in meeting the initial costs of QU certification.

The Farmers' Union of Wales has welcomed an extension to funding for Glastir agreements, further investment through the Sustainable Production Grant and the continuation of the Farm Business Grant.