The importance of family farms and the benefits they bring to the countryside remain at the top of the agenda for the Farmers’ Union of Wales at this year’s Royal Welsh Spring Festival (16 – 17 May).

“Having supported and fought for the needs of Welsh family farms for 60 years, the union is once again highlighting the plight of those who make a living off the land here in Wales and what better place to do it than at the Spring Festival,” said FUW president Emyr Jones.

“We do need Governments to understand and appreciate the importance of those family farms. As family farmers we are passionate about the food we produce but passion alone cannot sustain our businesses.”

Mr Jones stressed that the role farming plays in maintaining our natural environment and rural communities, coupled with the importance of maintaining and strengthening those political frameworks which protect our food security, mean agriculture, and in particular the family farm, should be high up on the agenda for any Government.

The union will work with the new Westminster Government to get the best possible deal for Welsh agriculture, just as it has done since 1955 when it was first established, and is looking forward to meeting the representatives of agriculture in the near future.

“We are also raising money for our charities T? Hafan and T? Gobaith in a bid to hit the £50,000 mark by the Royal Welsh show. Visitors to our stand have the chance to win a top quality BBQ set by purchasing raffle tickets, with all the proceeds going to the charity fund ,” added Mr Jones.

Cardiff-based T? Hafan and Oswestry-based Hope House Children’s Hospices which includes T? Gobaith at Conwy will share the proceeds of the fund that will come to a close in July.

“The FUW is looking forward to welcome members and friends of the union to the stand in the South Glamorgan Hall over the course of the Spring Festival weekend,” added Mr Jones.

[caption id="attachment_5295" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Vale of Glamorgan police force update FUW members on rural crime prevention[/caption]

A recent Rural Watch demonstration and information event gave Farmers’ Union of Wales Glamorganshire members an insight into the latest developments in rural crime prevention.

The demonstration was held at FUW Glamorganshire county executive officer Rachel Saunders’ farm at Blackland Farm, Bonvilston last Friday (April 23) and organised with the Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Farmers heard that the Vale of Glamorgan Police force is in the process of creating a rural crime strategy to target typical rural crime in the hope that a standard rural crime strategy can eventually be enforced across Wales.

Wildlife Crime Officer PC Mark Goulding said the police recognising that there is a need to protect the rural economy from theft and crime in order to support and maintain a strong rural community - a sentiment long supported by the union.

“It was great for our members to be able to discuss some of the methods currently used to prevent rural crime for example with trial cameras which record activity during the day and night to capture what is happening in barns and fields,” said Mrs Saunders.

“We were particular pleased to hear that the police want to build on the simple methods of community messaging systems which in the Vale is Rural Watch and includes Gate Safe, e-mails and texts to inform members of the rural community about suspicious activities.

“The Gate Safe scheme was set up during the time when fly grazing was at its peak in the Vale and was a great way to engage with farmers and the rural community.

“The signs were handed to farmers who were victims of crime to display on their gates so that patrolling police would see the sign, recognise that the particular farm had been a recent victim of crime and spend more time patrolling that area,” added Mrs Saunders.

Farmers further discussed basic security systems that are inexpensive and will help rural communities to protect their property from theft.

“All who attended found the demonstration very informative and left with a lot of information and ideas to protect their property as well as important contact details of the police officers in charge of rural crime in the Vale area,” added Mrs Saunders.

Farmers’ Union of Wales Montgomeryshire county chairman Mark Williams is opening his farm gates to host a general elections hustings for members of the union.

The event, which will take place on the family farm on Friday, 1 May at Pen Y Derw, Forden, Welshpool, will start at 11am.

Speaking at the hustings will be Conservative party candidate Glyn Davies, Liberal Democrat party candidate Jane Dodds, Plaid Cymru candidate Ann Griffith, UKIP candidate Des Parkinson, Labour party candidate Martyn Singleton and Green party candidate Richard Chaloner.

“It is not hard to guess that the general election is upon us soon with the countryside in Montgomeryshire becoming more colourful lately and awash with political placards. For me, I think it is the most important election during my voting history, with a possible referendum on Europe on the cards.  It could have huge consequences on agriculture without a doubt,” said Mark Williams.

“So to clarify some of the election issues I am hosting a hustings on behalf of the FUW at my farm and it will be a great chance to question the general election candidates on their policies. I would like to invite members and friends of the union to join us for this important event and hope to see especially a few of our younger members there,” added Mr Williams.

Mark has been running the sheep and beef farm since 2001, following the retirement of his parents from the industry after the foot and mouth crisis.

In total he keeps a flock of 1000 ewes and a herd of 40 suckler cows on the 700 acre holding.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy here in Montgomeryshire as it is in communities across Wales and the UK. It is essential that Members of Parliament and those in power after the 7 May elections recognise the importance of supporting our industry.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has warned of a desperate need for improved farmgate returns given low farm incomes and the uncertainty facing the industry over the coming years.

Speaking in response to falling cattle prices, FUW livestock, wool and marts committee chairman Dafydd Roberts, said: “Last year saw prices fall by 15 percent between January and July, and current prices have fallen to around five percent below what they were this time last year. If prices follow last year’s trend it will have a severe impact on the sector.”

Mr Roberts said all sectors in Wales were facing major challenges, highlighting a fall in farm business incomes of around 40 percent over the past five years, with a 20 to 25 percent fall over the past year alone.

“On top of this we now face a period of extreme uncertainty due to the changes to the payment regime and the likelihood of delayed payments over the next twelve months,” he added.

Mr Roberts said supermarkets and other key players in the supply chain needed to demonstrate awareness of the challenges facing agricultural and the risks of failing to ensure fair farmgate returns.

“Despite consumer support for British agriculture, poor profitability has hit cattle numbers in particular, with numbers down 20 percent in Wales compared with a decade ago.

“Action needs to be taken to show solid commitment to Welsh and British agriculture in order to protect supplies. Otherwise unacceptably low farm incomes and the financial uncertainties facing us over the next twelve months will have an impact on the supply chain as a whole, with a major knock-on effect for rural economies,” added Mr Roberts.