Farming
Farmers go all out promoting Welsh lamb
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/FUW-HCC-Welsh-lamb-promo-Cardiff.jpg)
FARMERS from Glamorgan have gone all out promoting Welsh lamb when they joined red meat agency Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) at their supermarket tour in Cardiff.
FUW Glamorgan county chairman Richard Walker and FUW Presidential Policy team delegate for South Wales Ian Rickman met with customers at Costco Wholesale UK Ltd. to promote the fine flavours, tenderness and versatility of Welsh Lamb.
It also provided an opportunity to explain the meaning and importance of the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) logo to supermarket shoppers.
Richard Walker said: “Our food produce is grown and reared to the highest welfare standards across Europe or in the world even. It should therefore be a priority that home grown food is served at our dinner tables and is readily available in our supermarkets.”
In addition to Welsh produce taking prime position on supermarket shelves, the FUW has long called for Welsh and UK produce to be available in schools, hospitals, local authorities, leisure centres and nursing homes throughout the year.
“Local produce, such as Welsh lamb and beef should be the first choice for supermarkets, restaurants and everyone else who has a role to play in the food chain. It is great to see that more and more retailers are choosing Welsh premium products over cheap food imports but there is a lot more to be done, especially in light of our exit from the European union and the uncertainty over future export markets,” added Richard Walker.
Earlier this year the Union welcomed the call from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Chair, Neil Parish MP, for the British Retail Consortium to do more to improve British lamb prices and availability in supermarkets.
In his letter to the British Retail Consortium, he highlighted that a number of major supermarkets are relying on imported lamb for the majority or all of their lamb stocks, and are not selling British lamb.
The MP further asks for assurances ’that UK retailers are supporting and promoting British lamb with consumers and ensuring that British lamb products are not undercut by cheaper imported products or promotions’.
“One thing that we are reminded of and something we have known for many years, centuries even, is that the food we produce in Wales and across the UK is of first class quality.
“Our lamb is loved across Europe, our beef is renowned for its tenderness and full flavour. So it saddens me that our award winning food produce is not always getting the recognition here at home as far and wide as it should.
“It is therefore welcome to see Costco Wholesale UK Ltd. joining the line of already committed retailers who make sourcing our Welsh lamb a priority and we enjoyed joining HCC to promote our fine Welsh lamb,” said FUW Presidential Policy team delegate for South Wales Ian Rickman.
“We very much appreciate support from farmers for our promotional activity,” said HCC’s Consumer Executive Elwen Roberts.
“It was great to have a helping hand from Ian and Richard to educate the public about our top-quality produce. Hearing directly from producers about how the meat is reared makes such a difference to consumers. Early indications are that the promotion, tastings and recipe leaflets gave sales of Welsh Lamb in the store a real boost,” she added.
Farming
Farm building scheme near Lawrenny given go-ahead by planners
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lawrenny_Church-e1721925610409.jpg)
AN APPLICATION for a storage building at a south Pembrokeshire farm, made by a family member of an officer on Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning service, has been given the go-ahead by the authority’s planning committee.
In an application recommended for approval at the July 23 meeting of the authority’s planning committee, Laura Elliot sought permission for the erection of an agricultural storage building at Tedion Farm, a dairy farm near Lawrenny.
The application had been brought to committee, rather than being delegated to planning officers, due to the family connection.
The farm, near to the Pembrokeshire coast National Park border, comprises 270 milking cows and dairy heifer replacements kept on the farm comprising land over 138 hectares. The farm is mainly down to grass and the cows are paddock grazed in order to utilise grass efficiency.
No objections had been received from local community council Martletwy.
A report for members said: “The application seeks consent for the erection of agricultural storage building. The erection of an agricultural building will be used to store stay, hay and farm machinery.
“The building would be located within the existing farm complex, to the north-east of the site, adjacent to the main farm dwelling. The building will measure 18 metres in length by 13.6 metres in width, with a pitched roof height of 5.71 metres.”
Approval was moved by Cllr Alistair Cameron, seconded by Cllr Brian Hall.
Farming
Fears dairy farm near Kilgetty could increase to 3,000 cattle
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PEMBROKESHIRE planners are to visit the site of one of the county’s largest dairy farms after claims were raised a scheme for new calf buildings could lead to animal welfare issues and an increase in the size of the herd to 3,000 cattle.
At the July 23 meeting of the council’s planning committee, an application by Hugh James of Langdon Mill Farms Ltd for a calf building, weaned calf building, and associated yard areas, at Langdon Mill Farm, near Jeffreyston, Kilgetty was recommended for conditional approval.
Local community council Jeffreyston has raised concerns, made by a member of the public, on potential increased noise and odour from the scheme, planners heard.
A supporting statement, through agent Reading Agricultural Consultants, said: “The holding currently has a milking herd of approximately 2,000 cows, which are housed indoors for the majority of the year, with dry cows [cows that are not lactating, prior to calving] and heifers grazed outdoors when weather and soil conditions permit.
“There has been significant investment in buildings and infrastructure at the farm over the last decade in respect of cattle accommodation, slurry storage, milking facilities, Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant and feed storage. The unit is efficient, achieving yields of more than 10,000 litres/cow/year, with cows being milked three times/day in the 60-point rotary parlour.”
Currently, calves are reared at Langdon Mill Farm for two months before being transported off-site to be reared at a number of third-party farms in the area before being return later; the proposed 61.2m long calf building is required to accommodate young-stock, following separation from the cows, to two-months, with the 164.8m weaned calf building to be used for calves from two months to seven months.
The application says the proposals would “clearly make the enterprise more financially robust by reducing reliance on third party farms”.
However, concerns were raised at the committee meeting by objector Ian Dennis, a former vet of some four decades’ experience, who described Langdon as occupying 3,000 acres of land with 2,000 cattle currently that “are never allowed to graze,” the proposal, he said, would add another 1,000 cattle to the site.
“This is factory farming, an intensive livestock unit, no longer a farm.”
He told planners a “mendacious and incorrect” ammonia emission report submitted by the applicants was “designed to bamboozle,” saying, despite his experience and scientific background, he needed expert support to assess.
He said only average figures were reported, rather than peaks and troughs, adding the “fictitious anaerobic digestion plant” had yet to be built, with planning permission now lapsed.
However, officers told members the applicant’s agent had said works on the digestor had actually started.
On the issue of animal welfare, Mr Dennis said he had “very huge concerns” about the scale of the development, differing from a planning officer report saying the scheme would bring animal welfare benefits.
A suggestion by committee chair Cllr Simon Hancock the application be deferred pending a site visit was unanimously backed by committee members present.
Farming
Family pay tribute to farmer, 65, who died in quadbike accident
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Hugh-Tudor-e1721735992301.png)
A WEST WALES farmer has died after an incident involving a quadbike.
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed they attended a report of an incident involving an agricultural quadbike in a field in the Llanilar area of Aberystwyth on July 17.
The force has confirmed that a 65-year-old man died at the scene.
They said that his next of kin have been advised and are being supported by specialist officers. The HM Coroner and Health and Safety Executives have been informed.
His family have paid tribute to him. The family said: “Hugh Tudor was a 65 year old farmer who had farmed at Tynberllan, Llanilar with his wife Ann for over 40 years. He was a devoted father to Sara, Lowri and the late Gwenno.
“Hugh was the son of the late Tom and Sybil Tudor of Glanystwyth and brother to Richard.
“Farming was his life, but he also had a wide range of interests and was actively involved in all aspects of the local community in Llanilar and beyond.
“We would like to thank everybody for their support and kindness during this difficult time.”
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