Farming

NFU back EU membership

Published

9 years ago

April 4, 2016

Welsh farmers ‘better off in EU’: Llyr Gruffydd

FOLLOWING a specially convened meeting of NFU Cymru’s governing body, the Union has concluded that, on the basis of the current available evidence, the interests of Welsh agriculture are best served by the UK remaining within the European Union.

This policy decision was taken by NFU Cymru Council at a meeting held in conjunction with the Union’s commodity boards and Next Generation Policy Group.

However, NFU Cymru respects that voting on an issue as important as the EU Referendum is an emotive and deeply personal matter and it is therefore for each member to vote how they see fit.

NFU Cymru recognises that the referendum question is both hugely complex and highly contentious with many factors adding to the debate, which may ultimately sway an individual to vote one way or the other.

NFU Cymru President, Stephen James said: “NFU Cymru has spent the past few months helping to inform our members of the issues at stake in the referendum. Our EU report, which was launched last autumn, examines our current relationship with the EU and has proved extremely popular.

“It has helped stimulate debate within the Union and has given members some of the key information to help them make an informed decision. Over the course of the last few weeks we have held a series of meetings in every county of Wales.

“At these meetings we have provided information to our members and given them an opportunity to air their views. Through this comprehensive process we have been able to engage with a significant proportion of our membership and we have heard forthright views, covering both sides of the debate.

“The culmination of this process of engagement was a special meeting of our NFU Cymru Council that included our commodity boards and the Next Generation Policy Group, which was convened today to agree our position ahead of the referendum. ”

Our position, and all the discussions leading up to it were all based purely on Welsh agriculture and what the Union believes is at present the best option for Welsh farming. We have purposely stuck to agriculture and steered clear of many of the other elements of the debate that we do not believe directly impact on Welsh farmers.”

Stephen James continued: “We very much recognise that the EU is far from perfect, the new CAP which has added much complexity and bureaucracy and individual movement recording of sheep, are just two areas that frustrate us about the EU and this needs to change. However, in our opinion, over-regulation is a fault of Government at all levels and this is something that must be tackled in Cardiff Bay, Westminster and Brussels going forward.

“The EU must continue to evolve to ensure it remains relevant; NFU Cymru through our dedicated team in Brussels and our Government has a role to play to make this happen.

“There is a lack of any clarity or certainty of what Brexit would mean for Welsh agriculture, for example we have no international trade agreements in place, no commitment from our Government to future financial support and no agreement that regulations would be scrapped or reduced if we were to leave the EU.

“Our future depends on our ability to trade and to have ready access to the widest possible range of markets, our present situation highlights the importance of having the necessary support mechanisms to deal with periods of extreme volatility.

“It is for these two key reasons that following extensive discussion and consultation, NFU Cymru Council reached the conclusion that Welsh agriculture is best served by remaining within the EU.”

Plaid Cymru shadow minister for rural affairs, Llyr Gruffydd AM, said: “NFU Cymru, like the FUW, has decided that Welsh agriculture is better off by us remaining as members of the European Union.

“Wales will benefit by around £2 billion between 2014 and 2020 through the Common Agricultural Policy payments that support more than 80% of farms.

“In that context, leaving the European Union would be disastrous for the farming industry in Wales – but that’s the position taken by the Welsh Conservative leader.”

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.