Farming

Plaid challenges Fox on agriculture

Published

8 years ago

August 19, 2016

Simon Thomas: Lack of planning puts jobs at risk

PLAID CYMRU Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Simon Thomas AM, has challenged Liam Fox MP, the Secretary of State for International Trade, who appears to be favouring a settlement based on World Trade Organisation (WTO) trading arrangements to come up with a plan to protect the Welsh rural economy post-Brexit.

Simon Thomas warned that negotiating trade deals with the EU and the rest of the WTO will be a long-winded and drawn-out process and almost impossible to do without affecting the sector in Wales.

Adhering to WTO commitments post-Brexit will create difficulties in the case of imports and exports under tariff rate quotas. WTO rules on non-discrimination imply that it may not be easy to maintain the market access granted under the EU’s Regional Trade Agreements without full-fledged negotiations to agree parallel agreements with the 50 or so countries that have signed free trade agreements with the EU.

In practice, the WTO option could means an average tariff of around 14% of agricultural imports from non-EU countries, with higher rates on individual items. Dairy exports could attract a 36% tariff, and beef exports could be between 58 % and 70%. Relying on World Trade Organisation rules, the extra cost of exporting British beef could be £240 million a year, with an extra £90 million added to the cost of exporting lamb.

Furthermore, the time pressure on the UK to secure agreements will leave it in a relatively weak bargaining position vis-à-vis its trade partners implying that it may have to yield more concessions than might otherwise be the case in order to secure these agreements.

Simon Thomas AM said: “The lack of contingency planning and empty promises made by Brexiteers during the referendum campaign will undoubtedly put the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people in Wales who work in or depend on the agriculture and food sector at risk.

“The EU accounts for over 90% of Welsh agricultural exports, with Welsh food and farming delivering £5.8 billion to our economy every year.

“It is a scandal that no Plan B was formulated by the UK Government ahead of the EU Referendum. It just goes to show how out of touch the UK Government and its Ministers are with the electorate.

“Even if we were to receive the full compensation of CAP and structural funds, which seems a highly unlikely prospect given the Prime Minister’s reluctance to commit to any funding once the UK leaves the EU, being outside the Single Market will have a devastating effect on the Welsh economy.

“It is about time the UK Government outlined how it is going to approach the labyrinth of its preferred WTO option so as not to cause any irreparable damage to the Welsh economy.

“People in rural areas whose livelihoods depend on agricultural trade in Wales deserve to know what’s ahead of them. As I have said all along, uncertainty is economically toxic.

“If Brexit goes ahead, and regrettably we have to leave the EU, then the UK should aim at being in the EEA/EFTA. If that is blocked by Norway (a possibility which Brexit ignored prior to the referendum) then the UK should negotiate a parallel treaty to that secured by Norway, but making specific provision for Welsh farming products to gain tariff-free access to EU markets.”

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.