Farming

Summer of change for rural Wales

Published

10 years ago

August 11, 2014

THE RECENT unplanned removal of the Minister for Natural Resources and the subsequent carve-up of ministerial positions again makes it difficult to see exactly who will be in charge when it comes to important agricultural and rural decisions – especially without a dedicated minister at the top table. These changes come against a backdrop of difficult decisions still to be made or enacted. What will the new Minister do about CAP payments at a time when farmers’ incomes have dropped by 44%? How will she deal with her predecessor’s proposals to introduce a table valuation scheme for bovine TB compensation? What discussions will she have with DEFRA – who have a full Minister at the Cabinet for agricultural issues – about the red meat levy that deprives our farming sector of £1m per year? And what will she be doing about the supermarkets and their grip on the sector? It is a big role, very important to the Welsh economy, and one deserving of a full Welsh cabinet post. There is also a great deal of work to be done at a European level, with Italy now taking on the Presidency of the European Council for the second half of 2014. Although CAP negotiations and the EU budget are mapped out until 2020, there are still very important agricultural negotiations taking place. Amongst the most important, here are 5 issues that I’ll be keeping an eye on during the next few months. Firstly, the revision of rules governing the organic sector. Next is an overhaul of the school food schemes (distribution of fruit, vegetables & fresh milk among schoolgoing children) Then, of course, there’s the review of the EU Animal & Plant Health Package. The European Parliament took its position on the Animal health element but failed to do so with regards to the seeds regulation. Many of you contacted me, and indeed I wrote about this law back in February. These proposals have wide-ranging implications on the potential of ordinary growers to have access to the seeds that they need. Also of interest are the on-going TTIP free-trade negotiations between the EU-US. The lack of transparency with regards to this agreement is undemocratic and undoubtedly detrimental for the agricultural industry in Wales. Finally, the talks on the cultivation of genetically modified crops at member state level. Regular readers of this column again will know of my opposition to GMOs and to the European approach to this subject, and it is again something on which I expect the new Deputy Agricultural Minister to make clear her opposition. As always, I will keep a close eye on proceedings and stand up for Wales at all times, but it falls on the Welsh Government to fight to make sure that their voices are heard around the negotiating table. While it is the UK government that hold competency for negotiating on EU matters, on devolved issues, the Welsh government must also engage. I urge the new Welsh government ministers to stand up for Wales during negotiations.

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

9 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

12 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

12 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.