Farming

Farmers ‘running out of patience’ on Brexit

Published

7 years ago

November 9, 2017

Stephen James: No deal not an option for Welsh farmers

NFU CYMRU President Stephen James has urged the UK Government to avoid a ‘no deal’ Brexit scenario that could have ‘severe implications’ for Welsh farmers.

Speaking at NFU Cymru Conference 2017 at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells, Mr James stressed that the Welsh agricultural industry is ‘fast running out of patience’ with both the UK Government and the European Union over the Article 50 negotiations. He warned that farming businesses will suffer if a deal securing an economic relationship with the EU cannot be reached.

Mr James maintained that the only ‘sensible option’ for Brexit negotiators was for the UK to remain a part of the Customs Union, at least until a time where a comprehensive free trade agreement can be reached.

Addressing the conference on Thursday, November 2, Mr James said: “With less than a year and a half until our departure from the EU, farmers and growers are fast running out of patience with both sides over the Article 50 negotiations. The time has come for both the UK and EU governments to acknowledge that businesses and individuals across Europe will suffer if a deal securing an ongoing and closely-integrated economic relationship is not reached.

“A ‘no deal’ scenario would have severe implications for our industry and I find even the thought of such a prospect deeply troubling. With the majority of our food exports going to the EU any impact of a ‘no deal’ on farming and food production would have severe knock-on effects, not just to our sector but to the wider economy of Wales that relies on a thriving food and farming sector.

“The UK Government must secure a free trade agreement with the EU, which maintains tariff free trade in agricultural goods between the UK and EU, and also avoids costly and disruptive non-tariff barriers. If such an agreement cannot be reached by March 2019, then transitional arrangements, which allow us to continue to access our largest and closest export market, must be put in place. In my mind the only sensible option is for us to remain in the Customs Union until such time as a comprehensive free trade agreement is agreed between the EU and the UK.”

Whilst there are significant challenges, Mr James added that the Welsh agricultural industry should make the best of the opportunity to further develop and grow the Welsh food and farming industry.

“When we leave the EU there is an opportunity to look at how we can ensure that we use a far greater share of Welsh and British food in our schools, our hospitals and within the military,” said Mr James.

“Agriculture is, of course, one of the sectors which has been most impacted by EU legislation. Brexit presents us with the opportunity to re-think regulation and articulate our own vision for the new regulatory landscape.

“This is an opportunity for us in Wales to create a new agricultural policy framework that helps to achieve our vision of a productive, progressive and profitable farming industry that delivers jobs, growth and investment for Wales.”

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

5 days 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

5 days 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

5 days 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.