Farming

Union meets new Agri-Commissioner

Published

10 years ago

March 17, 2015

NFU CYMRU President Stephen James used the opportunity to brief Phil Hogan on the importance of food and farming to the economy of Wales. They also discussed the EU agriculture policies that have most impact on farming businesses in Wales at this time, namely CAP implementation, dairy support and sheep EID rules.

On CAP Stephen James said: “All sectors of agriculture in Wales have suffered at different times over the past 12 months from significant price volatility; this has once again highlighted the importance of direct payments to secure the production of adequate supplies of food produced to the highest food quality and animal welfare standards. However the current reform has added additional complexity to what was already an overly bureaucratic system. We are pleased that the Commissioner told us he has CAP simplification as one of his key priorities. We discussed a number of areas where we felt change was needed; this included a light touch to Greening in 2015, given that the Commission was so late in providing the detailed guidance on how these new rules are to be implemented. We discussed mapping issues asking for a pragmatic approach to dealing with deductions for trees and other features in land parcels where agricultural production takes place.”

On Rural Development NFU Cymru highlighted to Mr Hogan that the Welsh Government was unique in having decided to make use of the maximum allowable 15% pillar transfer from 2014. Mr James said: “Our priority is to ensure that farmers have the opportunity to recover this funding lost from direct payments through the new Wales RDP. At present this is being delayed while the Welsh Government await approval of the Wales RDP from the Commission. We asked the Commissioner to do all he could to expedite this process to ensure that the new RDP could be used at the earliest opportunity to support farmers and the rural economy of Wales.”

NFU Cymru used the meeting to raise with the Commissioner the need for increased support from the Commission to support the dairy industry through the current milk price crisis.

Stephen James said: “We pressed Mr Hogan to urgently review the current EU ‘safety net’ mechanisms that are meant to support farmers in the face of extreme price cuts. The current intervention price is set so low as to be irrelevant even at this time. With the majority of Welsh milk processed into cheese and other commodity products our farmers are extremely exposed to global markets, intervention should be used at this time to bring some much needed stability to the sector.”

Sheep EID and individual recording was also a matter that NFU Cymru brought to the attention of the Commissioner with John Davies, NFU Cymru Deputy President, stressing the need for a level of tolerance in the inspection regime. John Davies said: “We are five years on from the introduction of this unpopular regulation, but despite the best efforts of farmers, livestock markets and abattoirs it has not proved possible to ensure 100% read rates 100% of the time. We asked the Commissioner to look once again at the issue of tolerances and for the Commission to come forward with proportionate guidance that takes account of the fact that technology can never be expected to work with the accuracy required by the regulation.”

Concluding Mr James said: “This was a wonderful opportunity to highlight to the man responsible for driving the agricultural agenda across Europe the challenges and opportunities that Welsh agriculture faces at this time. I found the meeting positive and constructive and we will follow up with many of the issues discussed today with further meetings with Mr Hogan and his officials in the near future through our team in Brussels.”

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

1 day 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 day 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 day 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.