Farming

Union Leader’s New Year message

Published

10 years ago

January 19, 2015

Appointment welcomed:
Rebecca Evans’ approach
endorsed by both FUW & NFU

The year, 2014, ended as it started with uncertainty within the farming industry as to how the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) will be distributed across Wales from 2015. Throughout the entire CAP reform process NFU Cymru has consistently argued for a policy solution that seeks to minimise disruption, as much as possible, in the move from historic to area based payments. NFU Cymru has stressed to Welsh Government the importance of reconsidering all the options available under the EU regulations to help inform its new consultation. As well as a differentiated payment rate system, consideration should also be given to the approach to CAP direct payments adopted in Ireland, the so called ‘tunnel approach’ which seeks to limit the losses for farmers in the transition towards an area based payment.

Once the Welsh Government comes forward with a new set of options NFU Cymru will consult widely with our membership to ensure that our response takes account of the views of members across all regions and all sectors of agriculture in Wales. Since the new Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture took over the reins in July we have welcomed the constructive and positive dialogue that we have had with her and her team. Rebecca Evans has highlighted her intention to produce an Agriculture Strategy for Wales in 2015 and NFU Cymru looks forward to this being developed in a genuine partnership to help achieve our goal of a productive and profitable agriculture industry in Wales.

This strategy must come forward with some key actions and targets, tying in wherever possible with the ambitious targets set within the Food Strategy launched last summer. Once these actions and targets are identified then all policies, schemes and projects must work towards delivering against the strategy. The Wales Rural Development Programme (RDP) can play an integral role in delivering on the Agriculture Strategy. For this to happen we need to see schemes and projects developed that offer clear farmer benefit, ensure high levels of uptake and participation, are easily accessible and adequately resourced.

Price volatility has impacted upon all sectors of agriculture in Wales in 2014. Whilst the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) does help farming businesses to manage volatility, this support is changing and levels of support are declining. We continue to meet with processors and retailers to stress the importance of working with farmers on long term supply chain relationships that seek, wherever possible, to reduce exposure to the ups and downs of global commodity markets. 2015 will see a Westminster general election and I see this as an opportunity for all our political parties to reaffirm their commitment to the work of the Grocery Code Adjudicator (GCA). I will be looking to see the powers and resource given to the GCA increased so that the GCA can investigate all links in the supply chain.

This will help drive out unfair trading practices between the farm gate right through to retailers and food service companies. Public Food Procurement is an area where I see room for improvement at both a Welsh and Westminster Government level, with our Governments ensuring that public food procurers place far greater emphasis on quality marks like PGI and assurance standards like the Red Tractor. Whilst I welcome the current downward trend in the number of new bovine TB incidents, and cattle slaughtered as a result of TB, we must not forget that this disease continues to cause untold misery to farmers and their families.

Dairy farmers responding to the Welsh Dairy Farmer survey published in 2014 highlighted bovine TB as ‘the greatest issue affecting their business’ and the HCC commissioned Beef Review came to the conclusion that the Welsh beef industry is ‘no doubt badly handicapped by endemic bovine TB’. Farmers are doing their utmost to get on top of this disease through complying with the stringent cattle control measures, but I continue to maintain that eradication of bovine TB from the Welsh countryside can only be achieved through the removal of diseased wildlife alongside the cattle measures we already have in place.

Despite the challenges posed by CAP, global markets and bovine TB, I remain optimistic for our future. The key fundamentals in terms of a growing domestic and world population evermore seeking assurance over the quality and provenance of their food remains in place and Welsh farmers are well placed to capitalise. What makes me most confident about our future is the professionalism, commitment and dedication that I have seen from our younger and next generation of farmers. As NFU Cymru President I am committed to doing my utmost to ensure that we create the conditions that, through Government policy and in the marketplace, gives them the best possible chance for a long and prosperous future farming the land.

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.