Farming

NFU responds to EU departure

Published

4 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.”

Farming

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

Published

1 week ago

April 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IF you farm in Pembrokeshire 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.

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire County Show President, said, “We are looking for local Pembrokeshire farmers, under the age of 45, 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. The competition welcomes all livestock and arable sectors to take part.”

Last year’s winners of the Award were Mark and Caroline Davies of Little Newcastle, Haverfordwest. They milk 230 pedigree Holsteins through a fully automated system. They rear their own replacements and also have a small beef enterprise. The farm is all grassland and they follow a strict reseeding and liming policy to optimise the yield from their multi-cut silage system. The couple place significant emphasis on animal health, husbandry and breeding to maximise the efficiency of their system.

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 2024. 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, 29 May 2024.

Farming

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society elect new president

Published

2 weeks ago

April 1, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ARABLE and beef farmer, Adam Thorne, has been unanimously elected to become the new President of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society for the year ahead. Adam is the third generation of his family to hold the position.

During the Annual General Meeting of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, held last week on the Pembrokeshire Showground, Mr Tim John and his wife Margaret John were also voted in as Presidents elect.

Adam Thorne has had a long association with Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society. After visiting the show as a toddler, then helping show the family’s pedigree Herefords, his uncle got him into helping him with stewarding in his early teens. From there he progressed to being a Steward with his own section, Commercial Cattle, and then also the Butcher’s Lambs section.

From stewarding, Adam became involved with committee work, starting as an Executive and then on to the former Finance and General Purposes Committee. He has been Chairman of the Estates Committee for 12 years and is now a Board member and a Trustee.

Adam said, “I am proud of my long association with Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society. I am the third generation to now be President, following my late grandfather, Walter Thorne, my father, Robert Thorne and more recently my uncle, George Thorne. I am looking forward to my year in the prestigious position.”

Away from his work with the society, Adam runs the family’s arable and beef farm in Robeston West, Milford Haven. He has been heavily involved with Tiers Cross YFC from an early age, having been Club Secretary twice and Chairman. He has also sat on Pembrokeshire County YFC Committees and the Wales YFC Rural Affairs Committee.

The 2024 Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society officeholders, announced at the AGM, include Miss Ffion Edwards who was awarded the role of Ambassador at last year’s show. Ffion, a nurse from Maenclochog, has enjoyed many years of attending the county show and believes that there are so many good elements to it. Ffion has been a member of Llysyfran YFC for 15 years and enjoys every aspect of young farmers – trying new experiences, competing and travelling to name a few. Mrs Nicola Owen was also elected as the Honorary Treasurer.

Brian Jones, the outgoing Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society President, took the opportunity to thank everyone who had helped and supported him throughout his presidency. During his year as President, Brian and his wife Helen, raised a tremendous amount of money for various charities including the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, RABI, Tir Dewi and the DPJ Foundation. Brian also gave his assurances that Castell Howell will continue to sponsor the Food Hall for future years.

Pembrokeshire County Show, the largest county agricultural show in Wales, will be held over two days again this summer on 14 and 15 August. Everyone is invited to attend the celebration of rural life in the county.

Pictured (left to right): Ffion Edwards the Ambassador for 2024; Adam Thorne, President; Margaret and Tim John, the Presidents Elect.

Farming

£1,000 bursary award available to Pembrokeshire agricultural students

Published

1 month ago

March 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE Agricultural Society’s £1,000 Bursary Award is now open for applications from students studying agriculture, veterinary science, agricultural engineering, food technology, forestry or other subjects allied to agriculture.

The Student Bursary Award 2024 is available to students, from Pembrokeshire, who are currently studying or have been accepted to start their studies. They can apply for this financial support to assist with their chosen college or career path.

Last year’s winner of the award was Lottie Wilson from Hayscastle. Lottie was studying agriculture at the University of Nottingham when she applied for the bursary. When she is at home she is a general dairy farm worker as well as a lambing hand and a calving beef herd assistant. In 2021 she was the top agriculture student at Hartpury College.

Robert James, Chairman of the Society’s Bursary Committee said, “I would urge all Pembrokeshire students who study subjects that are clearly aligned to agriculture to apply for this bursary as it won’t only assist with your studies but will also give you great experiences such as undertaking an interview which is a key employment skill. It will also assist in your future career within the agriculture industry.”

“A panel of independent judges will draw up a short list of candidates who will be interviewed and the winning candidate will be asked to give a short presentation at a future meeting of the society’s show council.

“The standard of applications has always been exceptional which gives a lot of heart that there are a lot of very talented young people in our community. We are very much looking forward to receiving applications for this year’s bursary and hearing from the younger generation.”

Qualifying students must not have won the student bursary on a previous occasion, the applicant must be studying or has been accepted to study agriculture or allied subjects at a UK college or university at A-Level or higher and the applicant’s family home must be in Pembrokeshire.

The bursary is tax free and will be awarded to the student who, in the opinion of the panel of judges, has submitted the best dissertation on how the bursary will assist them to complete their course of study.

Further details and the entry form can be found online: Student Bursary Award | Pembrokeshire County Show | Pembs Agricultural Society (pembsshow.org) or by calling the show office: 01437 764331. The closing date for applications is noon on Monday, 1 July 2024.