Farming

New European policies ‘must have family farms at heart’

Published

9 years ago

May 30, 2014

ANY NEW policies adopted by the EU Parliament following yesterday’s elections must ensure they have family farms at their heart, according to Farmers’ Union of Wales president Emyr Jones.

Speaking on the eve of last weekend’s Royal Welsh Spring Festival, Mr Jones said that between May 22 and 25 people across the EU will elect 751 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who, alongside the Council of Ministers and the European Commission, will decide policies affecting our daily lives, more so for farmers than any other section of the community. Mr Jones was launching the FUW’s latest campaign “Supporting Family Farms Since 1955” that coincides with this year’s UN International Year of Family Farming which is highlighting the potential family farmers have to eradicate hunger, preserve natural resources and promote sustainable development. He added: “Given the diversity of climates, topography, cultures and economies across the EU, it is no surprise that even the most pro- Europeans can become frustrated with Brussels dictates which make no sense in a region such as Wales, while those bitterly opposed to the EU have a field day blaming all the ills of the world on our membership. “Yet, despite the focus in the UK press on the issue of EU membership and where the balance of powers between Member States and Brussels should lie, reporting of the daily deliberations of the EU Parliament regarding issues which we might support, or bitterly oppose, remains scant at the most. “This leaves members of the general public detached from the politics and policies they so often bemoan, allowing pro and anti-EU politicians to blame the EU whenever it suits their agendas to do so, and Governments to hide their own insatiable appetites for red tape behind the convenient scapegoat of EU Regulations. “With agriculture taking the most significant portion of the European budget, and bearing the brunt of so many disproportionate and costly regulations, Wales’ farmers must consider carefully the implications of all the options now being discussed.” Those options are: to allow the EU to continue on its present course, which many believe will lead to a United States of Europe; to try and restore it to something more akin to the Common Market we voted to remain a part of in 1975; or to pull out altogether, leading to a full restoration of sovereignty but with no guaranteed access to our most important markets and the common agricultural policies which are part and parcel of that access. “The FUW’s current position is simply that we support EU membership – hardly surprising given that successive UK Governments have made it clear that they wish to increase food imports from outside the EU and dismantle the CAP – a policy which provides essential incomes for Welsh farming families and ensures plentiful, safe and affordable food for EU citizens,” said Mr Jones. “And, of course, we need only look back to the 2001 FMD outbreak and the accompanying export ban to see the impact that being closed out of the common market has on prices. “However, Welsh farmers have much to be aggrieved about when it comes to the suffocating and costly bureaucracy that emanates from the EU, and many wish for a return to the halcyon days when food production and common sense took priority over paperwork and illogical rules. “Whatever our views, we must weigh up the implications of all options with our heads as well our hearts. Welsh agriculture and our rural communities currently rely on the CAP and access to EU markets, and those who wish to see us operating outside the EU must provide valid economic assessments and policies which set out how a collapse in rural incomes and food production would be avoided. “We must also be aware that a renegotiation of powers could centre on the renationalisation of agricultural policies, with the focus not on reducing burdensome EU Regulations, but on implementing key recommendations from the 2005 Treasury/Defra ‘Vision for the CAP’ – a blueprint for dismantling agricultural support and increasing food imports. “Again, we need solid proposals and assurances that any renationalisation of powers will not lead to the collapse of Welsh agriculture and rural incomes. “Those assessments, analyses and policies must have at the heart of them the Welsh family farm: farms which have the highest productivity per hectare, are responsible for the overwhelming majority of Welsh food production and form the backbone of our rural communities.”

Farming

Battle over unauthorised buildings at Pembrokeshire farm set to continue

Published

2 weeks ago

May 19, 2023

Tom Sinclair

A PROLONGED dispute regarding unapproved structures erected at Cwm Farm in Llawhaden, Pembrokeshire, is poised to extend into next year, the Herald understands.

Pembrokeshire County Council has sought an injunction to demolish a substantial cattle shed constructed on the farm without obtaining planning permission.

Landowners Ryan and Declan Cole undertook the construction of a 96×29 meter cattle shed on their property without seeking the necessary planning consent.

Despite submitting two unsuccessful planning applications for a sizeable agricultural building, hardstanding, and access track in 2019 and 2020, the brothers proceeded with the construction.

On February 12, 2021, the council’s planning department issued an enforcement notice mandating the removal of the structures within four months.

The Planning Inspectorate subsequently extended this deadline to nine months.

However, the brothers failed to comply with the order.

In an attempt to rectify the situation, the Cole brothers applied for retrospective planning permission for the same developments.

Unfortunately for them, the council’s planning committee rejected their application in September of last year.

Consequently, Ryan, 24, and Declan, 23, both residing at Clifton Villa in Clynderwen, were each fined £1,000 by Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 9, for non-compliance with the enforcement notice.

Undeterred, the Cole brothers have now lodged an appeal with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales against the council’s refusal to grant retrospective planning permission.

During a hearing on Thursday, May 18, His Honour Justice Jarman KC agreed to suspend the proceedings until the appeal process is finalized.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council stated, “In light of the Cole brothers’ appeal to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) against Pembrokeshire County Council’s refusal to grant them retrospective planning permission, both parties have mutually agreed to halt injunction proceedings until the appeal’s outcome.”

The parties involved will reconvene in court to provide an update on the progress of the appeal at the earliest available date after February 18, 2024.

The ongoing battle over the unauthorized structures at Cwm Farm remains unresolved, leaving the ultimate fate of the contested cattle shed hanging in the balance.

Farming

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society launches search for county’s top progressive farmers

Published

4 weeks ago

May 10, 2023

Tom Sinclair

IF you farm in Pembrokeshire, are under the age of 45, and can demonstrate your farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture then the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourage you to enter the prestigious Baron de Rutzen Award.

Brian Jones, Pembrokeshire County Show President, said, “We are looking for a local Pembrokeshire farmer who can demonstrate their farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture. They also need to show consideration for the environment and habitat sensitivity on their farm as well as present an aesthetically pleasing example of farming in the county.”

Last year’s winner of the Award was Michael Williams, a dairy farmer from Puncheston. He farms conventionally using regenerative farming practices. His emphasis is longevity of herd and sustainability of on-farm food production using low inputs and low disturbance methods. Producing food and enhancing the environment to make for happy cows. Michael is signed up to the Regenerative Farming Plan with a net zero commitment by 2040.

The de Rutzen family have had a considerable influence in Pembrokeshire through their agricultural estates and diverse businesses interests over many years. Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society gratefully acknowledges the generosity of J H Llewellin & family, of Kilbarth, Rudbaxton, Haverfordwest, for kindly presenting the Baron de Rutzen Trophy to the Society.

Baron John Fredrick De Rutzen was President of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society in 1936 and the Baron de Rutzen Trophy was produced in his memory. The third Baron served in the Welsh Guards and tragically died, aged 36, in 1944.

This year’s entrants must be fully practising farmers within the county of Pembrokeshire and were under the age of 45 years on 1 January 2023. Entries can either be by nomination or direct application online on the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society website. Click here to apply: Baron de Rutzen Award | Pembrokeshire County Show | Pembs Agricultural Society (pembsshow.org)

The closing date for nominations and applications is at noon on Wednesday, 31 May 2023.

Farming

Animals seized from Pembrokeshire farm as man arrested by police

Published

1 month ago

April 20, 2023

Tom Sinclair

A DRAMATIC animal welfare operation has taken place in Pembrokeshire, resulting in the seizure of almost 100 animals and the arrest of a man. The operation was a joint effort by the RSPCA, Dyfed-Powys Police, and inspectors from Pembrokeshire’s animal health and welfare team, who were called to land at the Ridgeway in Lamphey on Tuesday, April 18.

Concerns had been raised about the welfare of the animals, which included one cow, five dogs, 19 various poultry, 26 sheep and 43 pigs. The seizure was carried out under the authority of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, with the aim of preventing suffering.

According to Pembrokeshire County Council, the operation was linked to the prosecution of Richard Scarfe, of Pembroke Dock. Scarfe had been convicted of multiple animal welfare offences on January 26, 2022, and was disqualified from keeping cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and donkeys for five years. Animal health officers from the council visited the land and acted after vets issued a Section 18 determination, meaning the animals were suffering or were likely to suffer if they were not removed.

All of the animals have now been taken to safety, where their veterinary needs were assessed and their care will be monitored.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that a man was arrested on suspicion of breaching a disqualification order made under the Animal Welfare Act. The 42-year-old man was later released under investigation.

A spokesperson for the force said: “On Tuesday, April 18, Dyfed-Powys Police Rural Crime Team Officers assisted RSPCA, Pembrokeshire Animal Health and Welfare Inspectors with the seizure of a number of animals at an address in Lamphey, Pembrokeshire. A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of breaching a disqualification order under the Animal Welfare Act. He has since been released under investigation.”

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed that further proceedings will now follow. Cllr Michelle Bateman, cabinet member for housing operations and regulatory services, praised the actions of council officers and partners. “I commend the actions of council officers and partners to remove these animals, prevent suffering and protect their welfare,” she said. “I hope this action will serve as a deterrent to others that Pembrokeshire County Council will act decisively where serious cases of animal neglect and suffering arise.”