Farming

EU aid payments linked to milk production for UK farmers

Published

10 years ago

November 4, 2015

Tom Sinclair

“We need a government that understands farming”: Sian Davies,
NFU

UK dairy farmers will receive a one-off support payment linked to milk production to help with cash-flow problems caused by volatile prices, Defra has confirmed.
Ministers in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales had flexibility about how to allocate their share of the UK’s £26.2m overall direct aid package but all have opted to pay in line with England.
The united approach across the UK will make it easier for the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) to adopt a standard method of payment and ensure aid reaches farmers’ bank accounts in December.
The UK’s overall direct support package is the third largest of all the member states.
In England, dairy farmers will share £15.5m in recognition of the prolonged period of low prices in this particular farming sector. Northern Ireland was given a boosted allocation – worth £5.1m – in recognition that Northern Irish farmers have been suffering from some of the lowest prices across Europe.
UK Farming Minister George Eustice said: “We recognise that many dairy farmers in the UK are suffering financially at the moment and the support will offer some relief.
“Dairy farmers are a vital part of our £100billion food and farming industry and I’m pleased to confirm that ministers across the Union have agreed to distribute the aid in the simplest way – linked to milk production – to ensure the RPA can get this money into farmers’ bank accounts promptly.”
In England and Wales, the one-off payment for an average-sized dairy farm would come out at around £1,800 per farmer.
“In Northern Ireland farmers will be allocated, on average, just short of £2,000. In Scotland, because they have larger dairy units on average, it will be just over £2,500.
Surprisingly, Andrew R.T. Davies, the Welsh Conservative Leader who has berated Rebecca Evans AM, the Welsh Farming Minister and the Welsh Government for not making payments to farmers before December has not jumped up and down with rage at the policy of the Conservative Government in Westminster on the same point. Perhaps ashamed of having his political opportunism exposed, Mr Davies has not offered a comment on the topic at this time.
Sian Davies, the NFU’s chief dairy adviser attended the meeting with Mr Eustice and reported back to the NFU, saying: “When we met with George Eustice this week, I called for a number of short-term measures, including prompt payment of BPS monies, giving farmers who’re losing money more time to pay tax which is due in January, plus bringing in the five year tax averaging that was announced earlier this year.
“We need a government that understands farming and that has a long-term ambition for the growth of our industry.”
Calling for specific action by the government, Ms Davies continued: “I also believe government has a role in urging allied industries and the banks to be supportive and understanding of the current market downturn. They can also make a difference when it comes to clearer labelling and I’m glad to see movement in strengthening the UK voluntary code on labelling across all sectors, and the plan to bring in more signatories, including DairyUK.
“The government’s own procurement policy for dairy products is another area which Defra should be looking at to ensure all departments are supporting British agriculture in its time of need. Defra has a role in promoting British agriculture outside our shores too, and I urged the Mr Eustice to raise our concerns in Brussels, where alongside changes to market management measures such as private storage aid and intervention, there is work being carried out on labelling, school milk, promotion and reopening the EU dairy package.
“We need a government that understands farming and that has a long-term ambition for the growth of our industry. It must send the right business signals to the UK’s dairy farmers in challenging times, as well as in the future.”

Farming

Lucky escape for cows as livestock trailer overturns on M4

Published

4 days ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THREE cows had a lucky escape on Monday morning (May 12) after the livestock trailer they were travelling in overturned on the M4 near Pont Abraham.

The incident took place at around 10:38am on the westbound carriageway and involved a pick-up truck towing a livestock box, which flipped onto its side.

Crews from Ammanford and Llanelli fire stations were called to the scene and worked to make the area safe. The animals were successfully transferred into a replacement trailer that was brought in to recover them.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the cows were unharmed in the incident. The fire crews left the scene at 11:27am.

The overturned trailer caused temporary disruption to traffic while the road was cleared.

Photo caption:

Lucky escape: Fire crews attended the overturned livestock trailer near Pont Abraham on Monday morning (Pic: MWWFRS)

Crime

Llangadog man charged over livestock theft near Llandysul

Published

4 days ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A LLANGADOG man has been charged in connection with the theft of dozens of sheep from a farm near Llandysul.

Hywel Williams, aged 40, was arrested on March 25 following a report that between 70 and 75 lambing ewes had been stolen from the Rhydlewis area earlier that month.

Following a detailed investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police’s Rural Crime Team, Williams was formally charged with theft on May 10.

He is due to appear at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court for a first hearing on Wednesday, May 28.

Sergeant Paul Roberts of the Rural Crime Team said: “The arrest and charge of Hywel Williams demonstrates to our farming communities that all allegations of livestock theft will be fully investigated.

“Legal proceedings are now underway, and it is important that the case is allowed to progress without further public commentary.”

Livestock theft remains a serious issue for rural communities, and Dyfed-Powys Police continues to urge anyone with information relating to rural crime to come forward.

Farming

Welsh farming’s challenges discussed with Shadow Cabinet Secretary

Published

5 days ago

May 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

EARLIER this week, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) met with Welsh Conservatives Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Education and Rural Affairs, Samuel Kurtz MS to discuss the changes and challenges facing Welsh agriculture.

The meeting followed the announcement earlier this month that the Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire Senedd Member, had been reappointed as the party’s Rural Affairs spokesperson, having previously held the portfolio between 2021 and 2024.

With a year to go until the Senedd elections, the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss a range of issues facing Welsh agriculture, including the continued impact of bovine TB, the implementation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zone regulations, and the future of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, which is due to be announced later this year.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the ongoing concerns over the UK Government’s changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) outlined in the Autumn Budget.

The FUW’s own analysis suggests as many as 48% of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) recipients in Wales could be affected by the changes,with the union warning the changes could have devastating impact on family farms and food production.

Commenting following the meeting, FUW President, Ian Rickman said: “We welcomed the opportunity to meet Samuel in the Senedd, and congratulate him on his re-appointment to the Rural Affairs portfolio. Through his farming background, Sam has an in-depth understanding of the sector and the many issues we face, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with him over the coming months.

“At a time when Welsh farmers are facing a perfect storm of changes and challenges, the meeting provided a useful meeting to discuss many of these aspects further – including the NVZs, SFS, and the dark shadow bovine TB continues to cast over the Welsh farming sector.”

Commenting, Samuel Kurtz MS added: “Our farmers are the backbone of our communities. They don’t just produce our food, they support our rural economy, uphold Welsh culture, and care for our countryside. I will always stand up for farmers across Wales and continue to fight for a future in which agriculture can thrive.

“I have been consistent that farming needs a friend, and I will continue to be that friend to farming in Wales.”