The Gwent branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is looking forward to a busy day at Usk Agricultural Show on Saturday September 8.

Glyn Davies, FUW Gwent CEO, said: “We are really looking forward to the show and hope to see many of you there for plenty of #FarmingMatters and #FairFarmFunding chats.

“The Welsh Government Consultation, “Brexit and our land” will form the focal point of discussions and I urge anyone with an interest in the survival of our rural economy to speak to us about their concerns and join our campaign to get proposals to phase out direct payments rejected - all you have to do is fill out a postcard which we will then send to the Cabinet Secretary Lesley Griffiths.”

In addition, joining the FUW on the day are Dr Christianne Glossop, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Gwent Police & Crime Commissioner, Jeff Cuthbert, as well as local AM Nick Ramsay and MP David Davies.

“Everyone is invited to call at our stand, which is opposite the main ring - you’re guaranteed a warm welcome and of course a cuppa,” added Glyn Davies.

The Carmarthen branch of Farmers’ Union of Wales is seeking nominations for this year’s FUW - United Counties Agriculture and Hunters Society Award for the person judged to have made the most Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture in Carmarthenshire during the past few years.

The judges will include representatives from the FUW, HSBC Bank plc and the United Counties Agricultural and Hunters Society. The award will be presented at the FUW’s Eve of the Welsh Dairy Show event.

FUW Carmarthenshire County Executive Officer David Waters said: “The nomination should be in the form of a letter or citation giving full details of the work and achievement of the nominee with great emphasis on the positive or beneficial effect on agriculture in Carmarthenshire.”

Previous winners of the award include John James (2004), David Lewis FRICS FRAgS (2005), Bryan Thomas FRAgS ( 2006),  Haydn Jones FRAgS (2007), Lynn Davies ARAgS (2008), Dai Lloyd (2009), Eirios Thomas (2010), Brian Walters (2011), Roy Davies FRAgS (2012), Meinir Bartlett (2013), Mary James (2014), Revd. Canon Eileen Davies (2015), Rita Jones (2016) and Brian Jones MBE FRAgS (2017).

The closing date for nominations is Monday October 8.

The Meirionnydd branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales enjoyed a successful county show held at the Rhug Estate near Corwen on Wednesday, (August 22), with #FarmingMatters such as the current Welsh Government consultation on the future of agriculture top of the agenda.

FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones said: “The show itself was an outstanding success and we were pleased to be here as they celebrated the shows 150th birthday. This one day show really is going from strength to strength.

“Our marquee was a hive of activity throughout the day, and we enjoyed catching up with members, friends, guests and politicians. The main topic throughout the day was of course the current consultation ‘Brexit and our Land’.

“Members expressed serious concern about the implications of removing direct payments from Welsh farms,  which would undoubtedly lead to disruption and uncertainty and financial hardship on an unprecedented scale, which would effect the rural economy of Meirionnydd in its entirety.”

Strong opinions were expressed to Liz Saville Roberts MP and Llyr Huws Gruffydd AM and members were encouraged to sign a postcard to be sent to Lesley Griffiths, the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, highlighting their worries about the proposed phasing out of direct payments.

“We had an incredibly busy day and are as always extremely grateful to all the volunteers and staff from the County branch for all their assistance and cooperation. Without all of their hard work and dedication, the day would not have been such an outstanding success,” added Huw Jones.

Technical notes to help the agricultural sector prepare for a ‘No-Deal’ Brexit scenario offer little comfort for the farming sector in Wales, the Farmers’ Union of Wales has said.

Whilst there were some welcome elements, such as a renewed assurance that eligible beneficiaries will continue to receive payments under the terms of the UK government’s funding guarantee, any clarification on funding post 2022 is still outstanding.

Worryingly exporting businesses are urged to find out themselves what the likely changes to customs and excise procedures will be and engage with other elements of the supply chain to ensure planning is taking place at all levels.

In addition, the Government has also called on businesses to ‘consider how they will submit customs and export declarations’, suggesting it may be necessary to engage customs brokers, freight forwarders and logistics providers, or acquire the appropriate software – all of which will ‘come at a cost’.

Other recommendations include re-negotiating commercial terms to reflect any changes in tariffs.

Responding to the news, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “What these technical notes highlight is the mammoth task at hand and how unprepared the Government still is - they keep talking about the unlikely event of a ‘no-deal’ scenario - which is certainly a possibility but still don’t actually offer any contingencies.