Farming

Farming communities face ‘unprecedented changes’

Published

10 years ago

November 27, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Llyr Gruffydd: Shadow Minister
for Sustainable Communities,
Energy and Food.

A PERFECT storm is brewing over Welsh agriculture as financial, economic and bureaucratic burdens conspire to present unprecedented challenges for our farming communities, writes Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for Sustainable Communities, Energy and Food. Some of these burdens are out of the direct control of the Welsh Government but many of them are within its power, and indeed some are of its own making. Whilst Plaid Cymru at both Westminster and the European Parliament voted to protect Welsh farmers from cuts to the overall EU budget and subsequently a cut in CAP funding it was clear that Cameron, Clegg and Milliband had different ideas.

The resulting 10% cut to CAP for the 2013-2020 period set the tone for what will be a difficult new settlement for many. Whilst you could argue that this decision was beyond the influence of the Welsh Government the decision to transfer 15% away from direct payments to Welsh farmers was selfinflicted. Given the difficult period of change and economic challenges facing the industry Plaid Cymru had argued for a more modest transfer.

Taking well over a quarter of a billion pounds out of the pockets of Welsh farmers – the maximum allowed by the EU, will be a deeply damaging decision, particularly given that our competitors in other parts of the UK and the EU faced a much more palatable prospect – 12.5% in England, 9.5% in Scotland and 0% in Northern Ireland. Add to this the recently confirmed 7% drop in the exchange rate and you begin to see the scale of challenge facing many of our rural communities in the coming period.

One estimate suggests that a farmer who had received £10,000 in 2013 will receive around £7,879 in 2014 – a 21% drop. This of course comes on the back of the 44% drop in total farm incomes seen over 2013 and the continuing difficulties in farm gate prices for red meat and milk. Given these unprecedented challenges, it is crucial that the Deputy Minister allows farmers time to adapt and offers practical support in doing so. Plaid Cymru for example has consistently called for a dedicated funding scheme for farmers in Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC), particularly those farming in the moorlands who face the most challenging conditions.

Farming moorlands has become increasingly difficult and with much reduced CAP funding the decision by the Welsh Government not to act on our calls means for many, it will simply become unviable. Any business facing challenging economic times must be given as much flexibility as possible to respond to those challenges if it is to emerge the other side. Farming is no different. Government has a key role to play in this respect but at the moment progress is patchy and slow. The Working Smarter Agenda has moved this forward but these efforts must be seriously accelerated – starting with scrapping the six day standstill rule.

I accept that budgets have been squeezed but I’m not convinced that the Welsh Government is doing enough to seek out new additional support for the industry. Through our representation on the committee of the regions in Europe for example, Plaid Cymru has been making the case for the European Investment Bank to take rural aspects of regional economies into account and consider co-financing aspects of the Rural Development Programme.

Allowing programmes to draw down funding from the European Investment Bank to complement its funding through the Welsh Government’s RDP would allow that money to go much further – delivering many more positive outcomes for rural communities across Wales. Difficult times demand difficult decisions. And whilst the Welsh Government will no doubt argue that those are exactly the decisions they are making – the most difficult decision of all is to admit that sometimes you are wrong and that you must steer a different course.

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been found not guilty of breaching a restraining order after being accused of referencing a protected individual in a Facebook post.

Philip Stoddart, 58, of Monkhill Farm, St Ishmaels, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 20) to face the charge. The prosecution, led by Ann Griffiths on behalf of the crown, alleged that between December 4 and December 13, 2023, Stoddart made a Facebook post that, by inference, referred to a person he was prohibited from contacting under a restraining order imposed by Swansea Crown Court on April 16, 2021.

The restraining order, issued under Section 360 of the Sentencing Act 2020, barred Stoddart from making any form of contact with her.

Prosecutors argued that the Facebook post constituted a breach of the order, contrary to Section 363 of the same act.

Stoddart denied the allegations and entered a not guilty plea during a prior hearing on October 1, 2024.

Magistrates Professor N. Negus, Mr. J. Steadman, and Mrs. J. Morris presided over the trial, which concluded on Monday.

After reviewing the evidence, the bench found Stoddart not guilty, dismissing the case.

The dismissal brings to a close legal proceedings that had been ongoing for over a year.

Farming

Get up to £5,000 for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FARMERS in Wales are being called to apply for the next round of funding for on-farm trials.

The Farming Connect initiative, which has funded projects such as growing lucerne in Brecon, is inviting applications for the Try Out Fund.

The new application window opens on January 27, 2025, and will run until February 17.

Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund trials that experiment with new ideas on their farms.

The last round of funding supported several projects, including integrated pest management at a pick-your-own strawberry enterprise.

Menna Williams, the Farming Connect project lead, said: “Farming Connect has developed the Try Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment.”

She added: “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.”

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

Ms Williams said: “Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100 per cent effort right from the start.”

Projects should focus on enhancing production efficiencies and profitability while ensuring environmental protection through adherence to sustainable land management principles.

A guidance handbook is accessible on the Farming Connect website, providing support for farmers in outlining their projects and completing the application process.

To apply, individuals must be registered with Farming Connect and capable of finishing their projects by January 2026.

Ms Williams explained: “Funding can be used for technical assistance, sampling, testing and other reasonable expenses such as those relating to short-term hire of specialist equipment or facilities directly relating to the project.”

The findings will be shared with other producers in Wales by collaborating with a Farming Connect team member.

Interested parties can apply on the Farming Connect website.

To receive the link or get further information, contact [email protected].

Farming

Funding window to re-open for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

WITH Farming Connect-funded trials ranging from growing lucerne in Brecon to establishing sunflowers as a companion crop with maize, farmers are being invited to apply for the next round of funding from the initiative that brought these projects to life.

The new application window for the Try Out Fund opens on 27January2025 and will run until 17 February. Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund on-farm trials that experiment with new ideas. The last round of funding saw farmers supported for several projects including integrated pest management at pick your own strawberry enterprise.

Project lead Menna Williams of Farming Connect said the aim is for farmers to compare different treatments or management systems – the project is not intended to fund new equipment she stressed.

“Farming Connect has developed the Try-Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment,’’ she said. “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.’’

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

“Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100% effort right from the start,’’ said Ms Williams.

Suitable projects must aim to improve production efficiencies and profitability whilst protecting the environment by aligning with sustainable land management outcomes. A guidance handbook is available on the Farming Connect website to help farmers scope their project and complete the application form.

Applicants must be registered with Farming Connect and be able to complete their projects by January 2026.