Farming

TFA responds positively to WG plans

Published

7 years ago

September 18, 2017

Welsh farming faces 'considerable changes': Dennis Matheson, TFA

THE TENANT FARMERS ASSOCIATION in Wales (TFA Cymru) has commended the Welsh Government’s recently published Natural Resources Policy and will be seeking to work with the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs and her team in achieving its objectives.

TFA Cymru Chairman Dennis Matheson said: “I was particularly pleased to see the very clear commitment to Welsh agriculture and food including the necessity of sustaining a range of farm types and sizes in both upland and lowland areas and ensuring the future viability and prosperity of farm businesses within Wales.

“The Welsh Government has recognised the considerable change that farming will face over the coming years, not least because of the decision to leave the European Union and it is essential that the Welsh Government continues to be in close consultation with the farming community as we plan for and address that change,” said Mr Matheson.

The policy identifies the need to develop new markets and ensure the better operation of existing supply chains for food within Wales.

“Welsh farmers are rightly proud of the high environmental and animal welfare standards to which we adhere but it is disappointing that this is not routinely recognised in the return we receive from the supply chain. These matters must be addressed by both the Welsh and UK Governments,” said Mr Matheson.

“We also want to ensure that our high standards are not undermined by attracting, through trade, food products produced elsewhere in the world to lower standards which would undercut our farm businesses unfairly and could undermine the confidence of Welsh consumers in food chains. We need to maintain a united front with UK Government that this would be an unacceptable outcome of any new trade deals.

“TFA Cymru has been at the forefront of arguing for a new policy, to replace the Common Agricultural Policy, which delivers high environmental outcomes coupled with resilient businesses through a targeted farm business development scheme and adequately funded market facing measures such as promotion, exports, import substitution and public food procurement. We see that the newly created Area Statements could be used to identify priority areas for future Government investment in delivering public goods and addressing market failures.

“The publication of the Natural Resources Policy sets the context for future work and TFA Cymru will continue its role to both support and challenge the Welsh Government in achieving the goals of the policy. It is particularly important that in the development of new policy the unique characteristics of the tenanted sector of agriculture are taken into consideration to ensure that tenant farmers are not inadvertently excluded from participating in or benefiting from new schemes and initiatives.”

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.