Farming

Shoppers asked to back Welsh farming

Published

9 years ago

September 28, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Harnessing shoppers to the cause: NFU Cymru

NFU CYMRU brought a ‘taste’ of the countryside to Carmarthen Town Centre last Friday (Sept 11) to help explain to shoppers why it’s more important than ever to #backWelshfarming In what is an extremely challenging time for the Welsh agricultural industry, with local lamb producers and dairy farmers in particular facing severe price pressures, NFU Cymru organised the promotional event in Carmarthen to showcase the quality and versatility of Welsh local produce first hand to consumers. NFU Cymru members from across Carmarthenshire were on hand to explain to shoppers why the farming industry is currently struggling and how they can help.

Tasters of Welsh lamb, Welsh cheeses and Welsh milk will be given out along with flyers explaining the three ‘Ls’ that shoppers should look for when out shopping: Logos – indicating quality standards and origin of ingredients Labels – indicate where products are from and how they are made Location – point of sale locations like shops or supermarkets should be placing Welsh products in highvisibility areas Rhys Jones, NFU Cymru Carmarthenshire Chairman, a dairy farmer from Llanwrda said, “We’re keen to harness Welsh consumers’ powerful voice so we can use it when it comes to getting retailers, restaurants and government in Wales to back the Welsh farming industry.

“The Welsh public are our greatest asset, the tasters we will be giving away on Friday are our way of thanking them for the support they already provide in backing Welsh farming but we will ask that they continue to help us through this crisis by holding to account retailers and food service providers who are failing to ensure that Welsh produce is clearly promoted and displayed. “I’m looking forward to spending the day in Carmarthen town centre thanking shoppers for supporting us this far, talking through the world leading production standards that our farmers practice day in and day out and encouraging shoppers to do all they can to buy Welsh wherever possible in the future.

Farmers are naturally shy individuals but recent knocks to the industry have brought them out of their shells. What we want to deliver on Friday is a positive image of farming whilst we’re on the streets in Carmarthen, after all, Welsh food and farming are a cornerstone of the Welsh economy – delivering £5.8billion.” NFU Cymru Director John Mercer said: “The Welsh consumer has been extremely supportive throughout this present crisis and we have been inundated with calls from the public asking how they can support Welsh farmers and for this, we are extremely grateful. Our event on Friday was another way of highlighting this crisis, showcasing our produce, thanking the consumer and explaining first-hand how the Welsh public can get behind and show support for Welsh farmers.”

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.