Farming

NFU responds to EU departure

Published

5 years ago

February 10, 2020

High standards must not be undermined: NFU-Cymru warns on future trade deals

NFU CYMRU has responded to the UK’s departure from the EU.
NFU Cymru President John Davies said: “The 31st January marks our departure from the EU in legal terms and we will now enter a transition period. During the transition, we will remain in the EU’s single market and customs union, and so for that time, we will continue to be able to trade with the EU27 in just the same way as we did before we ceased to be a member state. I am not, therefore, expecting Wales’ farmers to experience any significant changes overnight, particularly given that we will also remain bound by the vast bulk of EU law during the transition.
“The Prime Minister has set himself the ambitious deadline of concluding a Free Trade Agreement with the EU27 by the end of 2020. It is essential that whatever agreement the UK Government reaches with the EU27, that it delivers the most favourable access possible for Welsh farmers to European markets, with tariff and non-tariff barriers eliminated wherever possible.
“We know that the transition period ends by default on 31st December 2020, although this transition can be extended by up to two years through a joint decision of the UK and the EU27 taken before 1st July 2020. However long the transition, we must avoid a situation whereby it elapses without having reached an agreement on a future trading relationship with the EU, as we know that that will mean we end up trading with our largest, most valuable export market on WTO terms, which means huge tariffs on our produce.
“For the first time in almost half a century, the UK will be able to take steps to pursue an independent trade policy, something which we could not do as an EU Member State. Whilst this new-found ability does present us with opportunities, I want to urge politicians to exercise a degree of caution here and to heed what we have been saying clearly and consistently around standards. We cannot allow a situation to arise whereby our high standards are undermined by imports produced to environmental or animal welfare standards which would be illegal in this country. Wales’ farmers must be allowed to compete on a level playing field after Brexit.
“Although Brexit will potentially open up new markets for us, we must not lose sight of the importance and value of the EU27, to which almost three-quarters of Welsh food and drink exports go. Therefore, before we turn to consider trade with third countries, we need to ensure that we have secured the most favourable possible access to the market on our doorstep.”
Commenting on developments closer to home, Mr Davies added: “Brexit does, of course, present us with the opportunity to pursue our own arrangements for agricultural support and, earlier this month, Welsh Government confirmed that it will be opting to introduce its own legislation in the National Assembly in due course to allow it to operate new policies for farmers in Wales post-Brexit. Just as I have urged the UK Government to take the time needed to get things right when it comes to trade, I make the same appeal of the Welsh Government when it comes to developing future agricultural policy.
“Crucial to any future agricultural support policy, of course, is funding, and I was pleased to have confirmation from the UK Government at the end of last year that current levels of support will be maintained for 2020. The UK Conservative Government made a manifesto commitment ahead of the General Election to guarantee the annual budget for farmers for the next five years, and we are pleased that Welsh Government has made commitments to ring-fence the funding it receives from Westminster for Welsh farming.
“Funding is crucial to help ensure that Welsh farming can continue to deliver and grow on its unparalleled contribution to the economy, environment, culture and social well-being of Wales. We need a long term funding arrangement to meet our ambition to further grow the food and farming sector whilst maintaining and enhancing our environment and delivering on our target of making the sector a net-zero emitter of greenhouse gases by 2040
“As a Union, NFU Cymru looks forward to working with politicians in Cardiff to devise a ‘Made in Wales’ policy which delivers against our three cornerstones of productivity, stability and environment to realise our ambition of a productive, progressive and profitable Welsh agricultural sector.
“In the nearer term, I am pleased that our Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths AM has signified her intention to maintain the BPS for 2020 and 2021, thus providing the sector with some much-needed stability at this uncertain time.”

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

12 hours 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

15 hours 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

16 hours 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.