Farming

Union’s ‘Brexit’ concerns

Published

9 years ago

February 1, 2016

Nigel Farage: ‘Catastrophic for Wales’

AFTER the debate between Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones and UKIP leader Nigel Farage, organised by the Institute for Welsh Affairs, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has described the prospect of a Brexit as a dangerous step into the unknown.

Speaking shortly after attending the debate, recently appointed FUW Managing Director Alan Davies, said: “The frustrations of others are shared by Welsh farmers in terms of the EU’s many shortcomings, but the FUW’s long established view is that a Brexit would have dire economic consequences for Wales and the UK, with our rural communities hit the worst.”

According to a recent report by Agra-Europe entitled ‘Preparing for Brexit’, Wales benefits financially more than any other region of Britain, receiving an average of around £185 per capita each year.

“In 2001 the foot and mouth disease outbreak meant we were not able to export our main agricultural products to the rest of the EU. Welsh farmers lost around £100 million in today’s terms, and the already low incomes of our hill farmers who make up the majority of our industry fell to an average of £1,700 per annum.

“The impact was basically the same as being outside the EU and having an import quota of zero; so from the point of view of our access to the 500 million or so EU consumers who are on our doorstep we need to know what our likely export quota for Welsh lamb, Welsh cheese or Welsh beef would be after a Brexit? What would the import tariffs for our products be? What would replace the current support in place for agriculture and our rural communities through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)?

“There are so many unanswered questions that any vote in the near future would be a dangerous step in the dark.”

Mr Davies said, Welsh agriculture and rural communities would be severely undermined by many of the policies on agriculture advocated by successive UK Governments, including those aimed at undermining the CAP, and that this underpinned the FUW’s concerns over the future of Wales outside the EU.

“Only last week Secretary of State Liz Truss confirmed there is currently no ‘plan B’ for agriculture should the electorate decide we should leave the EU, yet an in-out referendum may be just months away.”

Last month the FUW’s Welsh Assembly election manifesto called for a detailed financial analysis of the likely impact of a Brexit on Wales and its rural communities, and Mr Davies said such work must be prioritised so people know exactly what they are voting for.

“Unless we see some contingency planning, outlining the possibilities, some people will be voting for a dangerous step into the unknown, which we believe will be catastrophic for Wales and the UK.

“The FUW has been a strong voice for farmers in Wales in relation to Europe and has been at the forefront of the debate since the very beginning. We will continue our fight for Welsh farmers at all levels.”

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.