Farming
WG trains vets to prepare for Brexit
WELSH GOVERNMENT funding is helping our food and farming sector to prepare for Brexit by supporting the training of veterinary surgeons required for them to certify produce of animal origin exported from Wales to the EU, in the event of a “no deal Brexit”.
If the UK crashes out of the European Union without a deal Export Health Certificates (EHC) will be required to export produce of animal origin from Wales to the EU.
This will result in a significant increase in the need for EHC certification capability and capacity in Wales.
£96,000 from the £50 million EU Transition fund was announced last September to support the need for Export Health Certification and is an example of how the Welsh Government is helping the sector prepare for Brexit.
Veterinary surgeons certifying EHCs must receive specific training and authorisation. Usually, the training is paid for by the veterinarian undertaking the course, which represents a disincentive to participate.
For this reason, a scheme to support the additional training required for a minimum of 80 Veterinary surgeons from across Wales was launched on January 22, with more than expected to sign-up before training ends at the end of February.
The scheme is being administered by the Animal and Plant Health Agency on behalf of the Welsh Government and in collaboration with Veterinary Delivery Partners Iechyd Da and Menter a Busnes.
Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, said: “I am pleased we have been able to support the veterinary sector through our EU Transition Fund. Veterinary surgeons have already begun receiving extra training to provide Export Health Certificates and this funding is helping to address the significant risk to the export of animal produce from Wales, post-Brexit.
“This is yet another example of how, we as a Government, are supporting our industries prepare for Brexit and the challenges ahead.
“It is possible– if a no deal is taken off the table this extra capacity will not be required but we must prepare for all eventualities. However, the training would not have been wasted as the skills are transferable and would strengthen the important certification role of the veterinary profession in Wales.”
Veterinary surgeon and representative of Iechyd Da, Ifan Lloyd said: “This Welsh Government support package offers practising vets in Wales the opportunity to undertake additional training to obtain the necessary qualifications to carry out animal product export certification.
“This is a key initiative to ensure the veterinary profession in Wales is in a state of preparedness in the event of a no deal Brexit and that exporters have easy access to qualified vets to undertake their certification requirements.”
Lesley Griffiths added: “We have always been clear a no deal Brexit is not an option for Wales’ food industry. Crashing out of the European Union could decimate economies and must be avoided at all costs. Our preference would be a ‘softer’ Brexit – one that allows us to stay in a customs union and a single market.
“With no new ideas and red lines firmly still in place, the UK Government is simply running down the clock in a vain hope that their deal will pass. They must take decisive action now and act on the majority will of Parliament to rule out no deal.”
Crime
Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court
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
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
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.
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