Farming
Unions meet after protest
LIVESTOCK board Chairmen from the UK farming unions have met in Brussels to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the beef and sheep sectors. The discussions followed Monday’s (Sept 7) protests when around 5,000 farmers from across Europe joined forces on the streets of the Belgium capital for a COPAorganised demonstration. Talks involving NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland, the NFU and the Ulster Farmers’ Union centred around the current pressure on the farm gate price of lamb, imports, as well as the outcome from the Red Tractor consultation on lifetime assurance for beef, while progress was made on TSEs and sheep carcase splitting and red tape reviews. Lyndon Edwards, NFU Cymru’s Livestock Board Chairman said: “We have seen further pressure on the farm gate price of lamb and it has been an extremely challenging time for the UK’s sheep producers.
With an increase in production, the strength of sterling which continues to make exports challenging, the UK is attractive to imports. When this is combined with a fall in consumption, we need now more than ever, a focus on promotion and product innovation from our respective levy bodies.” Naturally, on the table for discussion was the significant shift in trade patterns of New Zealand lamb entering Europe since the original GATT agreement and current TRQ came into force. Lyndon Edwards said: “New Zealand has a fixed EU quota of 228,000 tonnes. We believe that the move from frozen to fresh, and from carcases to bone in cuts represents a substantive change in the trade since the original agreement in the 1980s and this change is having an effect on the UK and EU sheep market. We will be taking these issues to the Commission and will work with the sheep task force to ensure these matters are addressed.” Ulster Farmers’ Union beef and lamb Chairman Crosby Cleland said: “In addition to the New Zealand quota requiring greater attention from the Commission, concerns remain at a national level about how NZ lamb is labelled in the UK.
“There have been a number of examples of New Zealand lamb found in retail stores being labelled as ‘produced in the UK from New Zealand and Australia’. This is a clear breach of EU labelling laws for lamb and we would ask that Government take firm action against those who attempt to take advantage of labelling laws in place to protect UK sheep producers.” NFU Scotland livestock committee chairman Charlie Adam said: “There is huge frustration among sheep farmers that despite being at peak season for home produced lamb, we continue to see imported product from New Zealand promoted on some supermarket shelves.
We’re pleased that some supermarkets back our farmers by taking 100 percent British lamb – not just at this time of year but for a full 12 months. We’d also like to see other supermarkets really delivering on their commitments to back our farmers. “The UK livestock unions are committed to challenging our retail sector to put more effort into promoting home produced lamb on supermarket shelves. Their support would be a huge boost to confidence in the face of challenging market prices. But we also need Europe to act and urgently review the trade terms around New Zealand import volumes to establish if these are still relevant.”
With the call for a European task force to address market transparency in the sheep sector, the group discussed a proposal to introduce a processor code for sheep. This would be similar to the beef processor code and would ask processors to provide their producer suppliers with 12 weeks’ notice of any change to their terms and conditions. NFU livestock board chairman Charles Sercombe said: “There is no standardised dressing specification for sheep and currently there are two in operation: MLC Standard (tail on or tail off) and ‘company spec’, of which there could be many operating at plants on any given day.
With very limited guidance available it is difficult for farmers to make informed decisions. Sheep carcass classification in the UK remains voluntary and it is still commonplace for many abattoirs, especially the smaller ones, to pay based on weight. An EU Commission report found that in 2013 only four processors were actively participating in price reporting across England and Wales. Given that the UK is legally obliged to report prices to the EU and that the UK is the largest producer of sheep meat in the EU this level of participation is inadequate. We would like a processor code to address these issues leading deadweight price reporting and to see an end to the practice of rounding down of weights to the nearest half kilo.”
Crime
Police offer advice after 60 reports of stolen quad bikes from farms
DYFED-POWYS POLICE is advising the rural community to make sure security measures are in place to protect quad bikes and other farm equipment, in response to a spate of thefts.
There have been over 60 reports of stolen quad bikes across the force in 2024.
Farmers and other owners of quad bikes are reminded to be vigilant of suspicious vehicles and people in their community and to report any concerns to police.
Dyfed-Powys Police has acquired 150 SelectaDNA Rural Kits to support their efforts in combating rural crime. These advanced DNA asset-marking kits will be used to offer free property marking services to farmers, helping them protect their valuable equipment and machinery.
In addition to property marking, our Rural Crime Team officers, who are also qualified Crime Prevention Tactical Advisors (CPTAC), will visit farms to conduct comprehensive crime prevention audits. These audits are designed to ensure farms have the best security measures in place to deter criminal activity and safeguard their livelihoods.
The SelectaDNA Rural Kits use a unique DNA solution that can be applied to tools, vehicles, machinery, and other valuable assets. This marking is virtually invisible but can be detected under UV light, providing an indisputable link between stolen property and its rightful owner. This has proven to be a powerful deterrent against theft and an invaluable tool in recovering stolen items.
Rural communities are often targeted by criminals due to their remote locations and the high value of farming equipment.By offering free property marking and crime prevention visits, Dyfed-Powys Police aim to empower farmers with effective tools and advice to protect their assets and reduce the risk of crime.
Sergeant Paul Roberts from our Rural Crime Team, said: “I ask that local farmers and other quad bike owners take appropriate action to minimise the opportunities of these thefts occurring. This includes removing keys from ignitions after use and locking barns or outbuildings wherever the vehicles may be kept.
“I’m aware that thefts of quad bikes and farming machinery causes disruption to farmers’ work, as well as the financial implications, and I would like to reassure the public that police are thoroughly investigating these matters.
“I encourage anyone living in rural communities to remain vigilant to this type of theft, and to report any suspicious vehicles or behaviour to police either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.”
The Rural Crime Team will be attending marts across the force, where community members can bring items such as tools, machinery, and bikes to be marked.
Farmers can also arrange a visit from our Rural Crime Team to mark equipment and conduct a security audit by emailing [email protected]
Visit our website for more information and advice about rural crime and what prevention measure you can take – https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rc/rural-crime/
Farming
Farmers’ Union recognises lifelong success of leading business founders
THE Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) presented its ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ to the founders of a leading North Wales business during a special dinner held at the Kinmel Hotel, Abergele, on Friday, November 8, 2024.
Gareth and Falmai Roberts, founders of the popular yoghurt business Llaeth Y Llan, started their venture in 1985 from a converted cow shed at their farmhouse in Llannefydd, Denbighshire – with the first product trials carried out at the back of their airing cupboard!
Over the past three decades, the business has gone from strength to strength. In 1995, they moved to a modern dairy designed and built using a disused barn and other farm buildings. By 2015, with their brand stocked across Wales in four major retailers and dozens of independent shops, the old dairy had reached full capacity. A larger production facility was designed and built on the Roberts’ farm and was officially opened in 2017 by Lesley Griffiths MS, the then Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs.
The business combines traditional values with modern techniques, producing 14 different yoghurt flavours using Welsh milk sourced from the local area. The yoghurt is sold across Wales and England, with the business having already won the Food Producer of the Year award at the inaugural Wales Food and Drink Awards in 2022.
The FUW Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Gareth and Falmai Roberts by FUW President Ian Rickman. The evening also featured entertainment from operatic baritone John Ieuan Jones.
Ian Rickman, President of the Farmers’ Union of Wales, said: “The Farmers’ Union of Wales was unanimous in recognising Gareth and Falmai’s incredibly successful business, and we were delighted to host this dinner to honour their achievements and present this award to them.
From producing their first yoghurt pot to their current success as one of Wales’ most renowned food producers, Llaeth Y Llan is an outstanding example of Welsh entrepreneurship, with local farming and food production at the heart of their success.
I congratulate them on this well-deserved achievement, and I have no doubt that their business will continue to grow from strength to strength.”
Proceeds from the dinner and the highly successful auction will be donated to the Dai Jones Memorial Appeal Fund, administered by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.
Farming
Farmers fight back: Inheritance tax row at Welsh Labour conference
THE Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno, Conwy, on Saturday (Nov 16) became the backdrop for a large and impassioned protest by farmers opposing the Labour government’s controversial inheritance tax changes. Hundreds of farmers descended on the venue with tractors and vehicles, voicing their frustration at what they describe as policies that will devastate rural communities and family farms.
The protest was a coordinated effort by Digon yw Digon (“Enough is Enough”), a group advocating for rural communities. Protesters carried signs reading “Labour War on Countryside” and “No Farmers No Food,” while tractors lined the promenade outside Venue Cymru.
Starmer’s absence deepens anger
Farmers had hoped to confront Prime Minister Keir Starmer directly and present their concerns. However, Starmer avoided the protesters, leaving the venue without meeting them. This decision was sharply contrasted by the actions of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who earlier this year attended the Welsh Conservative Conference and took time to speak with farmers about their challenges.
One farmer remarked, “Starmer didn’t have the guts. He left without facing us.”
The farmers’ message
In lieu of a direct meeting, the farmers delivered a strongly worded letter addressed to Starmer, outlining their grievances:
“Dear Prime Minister,
Croeso i Gymru,
Today you can see the depth of feeling and concerns that you are creating as the PM of this country towards the rural areas and farming community.
The outcome of your Budget highlights the government’s incapacity to look at the position as a whole rather than a tick-box exercise to fulfill your selfless ambition.
The inheritance tax debacle highlights this case. This new tax represents a considerable challenge not only for farmers but also the broader agricultural sector. The £1 million threshold is alarmingly low, and many farmers will face impossible decisions to sell portions of their land to cover these costs. This will affect the smaller family farm the most.”
Why farmers are protesting
The changes announced in the Autumn Budget include:
- A new 20% inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million.
- Modifications to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR), effective from April 2026.
Farmers fear these changes will force many family-run farms to sell land, leading to reduced food production and driving up food prices.
Becky Wall, a farmer at the protest, made an emotional appeal:
“Please support our farmers; they work hard over long hours to feed us. Without them, we have no food. These changes will also impact small businesses connected to farming, posing a serious threat to our economy and our bellies.”
Rural Wales under pressure
The letter also highlighted the cumulative challenges faced by Welsh farmers, including the draconian impact of Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) regulations, increasing incidences of bovine tuberculosis (TB), and uncertainty surrounding the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).
“This cumulative approach has created despair in the countryside,” the letter continued. “As food supplies decrease, it will become more expensive, and the poorest in society will suffer the most.”
Gareth Wyn Jones, a farmer and broadcaster, expressed the emotional toll on rural communities:
“They’re destroying an industry already on its knees mentally, emotionally, and physically. We need government support, not hindrance, to feed the nation. Enough is enough.”
A strike as a last resort
As frustration boils over, some farmers have announced plans to go on strike starting Sunday. While economically challenging, the strike reflects the growing anger in the countryside.
The protest in Llandudno is part of a larger movement, with a major demonstration planned for Westminster next Tuesday. The event has already drawn so much support that its location was moved from Trafalgar Square to accommodate the expected turnout.
Starmer defends budget
Inside the conference, Starmer defended the Budget, describing it as a tough but necessary measure to stabilise the economy:
“Make no mistake, I will defend our decisions in the Budget all day long. Tough decisions were necessary to protect the payslips of working people, fix the foundations of our economy, and invest in the future of Wales and Britain.”
Starmer also hailed Labour’s collaboration between Westminster and the Welsh government as a “gamechanger,” promising that communities in Wales would benefit from Labour-led governments pulling in the same direction.
Investments and promises
Despite the protests, the conference included announcements of major investments:
- A £160 million investment zone for Flintshire and Wrexham, described by Starmer as a turning point for the region’s economy.
- An additional £22 million to tackle NHS waiting lists in Wales, adding to the £28 million pledged earlier this year.
- A record £21 billion Budget allocation for Wales in 2025.
First Minister Eluned Morgan touted the “power in partnership” between the two Labour governments and emphasised their commitment to delivering for Welsh communities.
Farmers and rural advocates insist that their voices will not be ignored. The inheritance tax changes have become a flashpoint for broader frustrations with government policies affecting rural areas.
As the protest letter concluded: “Prime Minister, we ask that you revisit the whole approach to farming and rural communities as a matter of urgency. This is a last resort, but growing anger in the countryside has brought us here. The one thing Labour has achieved is uniting farmers, businesses, and rural communities against these policies.”
With protests expected to intensify in the coming days, the farming community’s fight for their livelihoods and the future of rural Wales continues.
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