Farming
Farm safety messages reinforced during young farmers’ competition

A NATIONAL competition to improve farm safety awareness among young farmers has been won by members of Pembrokeshire County Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs for the 10th time since the competition started in 2002.
The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ (NFYFC) Farm Machinery Skills competition, sponsored by KRAMP, was held a week before Farm Safety Week (17-21 July).
The competition challenges young farmers to demonstrate their knowledge of farm machinery and its safe operation. It also tests first aid skills by creating a realistic farm accident that team members must respond to during the competition.
The winning Pembrokeshire team fought off six other county teams in the final to win a KRAMP toolkit each and a JCB VIP hospitality tour round the world headquarters in Staffordshire, along with the much-coveted trophy.
The team, made up of Caryl Bevan, Berwyn Warlow, Rhys Bevan and William Lewis, are all from Llys Y Fran YFC and due to their involvement in farming prioritise this competition above others.
Rhys Bevan, who has been on the winning team five times, said: “We do take it seriously. As well as the first aid, we all have an interest in farm machinery and it’s the only health and safety competition that we [YFC] have that could save your life.”
Teammate Caryl Bevan is in her final year of YFC and has been part of the winning team on six previous occasions at the national final. Former members support the team and she said that would continue as new people joined to try to hold on to Pembrokeshire’s winning title.
Caryl said: “Highlighting farm safety is important for the club. Teaching new skills, first aid especially, and making sure we practice what we preach.”
Another member of the team Will Lewis also won an individual trophy for his ATV Handling Skills.
Dave Johns from Arley Medical Services creates the realistic farm accidents, which are based on real-life examples, using actors from the Casualties Union.
Dave said: “It is a really important competition as we know farms have a large number of accidents. As a paramedic I see those myself, so anything we can do to make sure people are supported is good.
“We usually see a high standard of entrants but there are always some learning opportunities from the competition. It makes people think about how they would deal with the situation on the farm.
“Some tips to take away would be to make sure they know what’s in their first aid kit and that they have it with them – as it’s not much use back in the shed somewhere!
“People do learn from the competition as we do see improvements when the same team is back in the final. There has been a lot of new teams this year at the national final and I think they have learnt quite a lot from it.”
Competition Sponsors Kramp recognise the importance of teaching young people farm safety skills.
Des Boyd, Kramp’s Commercial Director, said: “Kramp is always looking for ways to support the next generation of farmers and we’re thrilled to have sponsored the Farm Machinery Skills competition for the last two years!
“We’re constantly trying to champion safety at Kramp as we know how important it is, especially in the agricultural industry. We’re proud to be a part of the young farmers’ safety journey and hope we can continue to support them with their farming journey in the future.”
The competition comes at a critical time for the industry with figures from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) showing farming continues to have the poorest safety record of any occupation in Great Britain.
It was also held on the eve of the Farm Safety Foundation’s 11th Farm Safety Week. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the impacts of farm accidents on the industry and community and to promote the importance of farming safely.
NFYFC Chair Rosie Bennett said:
“This competition, which is held just ahead of Farm Safety Week, is one of the most important in our national programme as it helps reinforce safety messages and could save lives.
“NFYFC also has a Farm Safety training module that was developed in conjunction with The Farm Safety Foundation, and we encourage all our clubs to take part in this training too. As the next generation of farmers, we need to do all we can to improve agriculture’s safety record.”
All members of a YFC can take part in NFYFC’s Farm Safety training, which focuses on raising awareness of farm safety, shows how to prevent accidents and what to do if there is one.
NFYFC’s Farm Machinery Skills competition final is held during NFYFC’s annual Competitions Day in Staffordshire. It is hosted alongside 13 other competitions where members showcase a range of skills from fence erecting to dancing.
CFMOTO UK, JCB, Rea Valley Tractors, RJ ATV all supported the Farm Machinery Skills competition by providing machinery.
Farming
Farming funding fears as Welsh government warns of major cuts

A CHANGE in the UK government’s approach to funding for Welsh agriculture has sparked serious concerns, with First Minister Eluned Morgan warning that the shift could see Wales lose nearly £150m a year in farm support.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has cautioned that the funding formula change could amount to a cut of more than 40%, raising alarm across the industry. The UK government has decided to stop ring-fencing farm support, meaning future allocations will be absorbed into the general funding provided to the Welsh government.
Morgan, addressing MPs at Westminster’s Welsh Affairs Committee, said the move was “a huge concern” and argued that it fails to reflect the higher proportion of farmers in Wales compared to other parts of the UK.
Funding shake-up
The change, first announced in last October’s UK Budget, will see farm funding calculated under the Barnett formula, which determines the Welsh government’s overall budget. Under Barnett, Wales receives around 5% of spending increases in England for devolved matters like health and education, but agricultural leaders argue that this method does not take into account the unique demands of Welsh farming.
Morgan, leader of Welsh Labour, told the committee: “If you just do a Barnett consequential, you’re talking about a 5% [increase], whereas, actually, when it comes to agriculture we should be significantly higher than that.
“It is a huge concern that this has been changed.”
Political pressure mounts
Plaid Cymru’s Westminster agriculture spokesperson Ann Davies said the UK government had failed to provide clarity on how Wales’ higher proportion of farmers would be considered under the new system.
“The Labour first minister now expressing concerns only reinforces the urgency of this issue,” she said. “The UK government must guarantee that Welsh agriculture will not lose out in the future.”
A UK government spokesperson defended the changes, saying: “The Budget provided the Welsh government with a record £21bn settlement, and it receives over 20% more funding per person than equivalent UK government spending.
“It is for the Welsh government to allocate this across its devolved responsibilities, which include agriculture, to deliver on the priorities of people in Wales and support the Welsh rural economy.”
Wider economic worries
During the committee session, Morgan also raised concerns over potential new tariffs on steel imposed by former US President Donald Trump. The proposed 25% import tariff could threaten Welsh steel exports, with the first minister revealing she had already discussed the issue with Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
“I’m sure we are all very concerned to see what President Trump is suggesting in terms of steel tariffs, and we don’t know where that is going to end,” Morgan said.
The first minister is later due to attend a dinner at Windsor Castle hosted by the King, alongside UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the first ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Crime
Warning of heavy fines for farms as six Romanians found working at dairy farm

ILLEGAL WORKERS DISCOVERED IN MID WALES RAID
A DAIRY FARM in Llangedwyn, Powys, faces heavy fines after immigration officers arrested six Romanian workers found working illegally during a dawn raid on January 28. The business owners could now be fined up to £60,000 per worker and face a possible prison sentence if found guilty of failing to carry out proper employment checks.
The arrests come as part of a major crackdown on illegal working across Wales and the West of England. Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams carried out 121 visits last month, resulting in 101 arrests—more than double the number recorded in January 2024.
Tougher action against illegal working
Officials say enforcement activity has reached record levels, with 609 arrests made nationwide in January—an increase of 73 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance & Crime, said:
“Despite many premises in the region being in rural locations, these numbers show there is no hiding place from the law. We will come after any business that thinks it can exploit illegal workers for its own gain.”
Since last summer, both illegal working visits and arrests have risen by 38 per cent, with the Home Office issuing 1,090 civil penalty notices to businesses hiring illegal workers.
New law to target people smugglers
The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, set to be debated in Parliament today, will give law enforcement new powers to target people-smuggling gangs and disrupt illegal migration. The legislation will allow officers to search electronic devices for evidence of organised crime.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants with little to no enforcement. Not only does this create a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives crossing the Channel in small boats, but it results in the abuse of vulnerable people and undermines our economy.
“That’s why we are boosting enforcement to record levels alongside tough new legislation to crack down on the criminal gangs that profit from illegal migration.”
Record removals of illegal migrants
Alongside the crackdown on illegal working, the Home Office says it is stepping up deportations of those with no legal right to remain in the UK. Since the election, 16,400 people have been removed, including criminals convicted of drug offences, theft, rape, and murder.
Bespoke charter flights have returned over 800 immigration offenders to their countries of origin, marking the highest removals since 2018.
Farming
Pembrokeshire Farmer Mansel Raymond Elected Chair of CARAS Cymru

PEMBROKESHIRE farmer Mansel Raymond MBE FRAgS has been elected as the new Chair of CARAS Cymru, the prestigious Council for Awards of Royal Agricultural Societies, following his unanimous election by the CARAS Cymru Council in January.
He will serve a two-year term, succeeding Janet Phillips FRAgS, who stepped down after a distinguished tenure as Chair.
CARAS is a highly regarded awarding body that recognises individual who have made exceptional contributions to agricultural and rural progress across the UK. With national panels representing each of the four UK nations, CARAS Cymru plays a key role in celebrating and honouring the achievements of individuals in Welsh agriculture.
Mansel Raymond, a well-respected figure in the agricultural community, leads a family partnership in Pembrokeshire alongside his brother, their wives, and sons.
Over the years, he has held numerous high-level positions across the agricultural industry, including President of Copa Cogeca Milk Board, past Director of First Milk, European Milk Chairman, and Chairman of the NFU’s Milk Board. He has also served as Pembrokeshire County Chairman for NFU Cymru and as past President of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.
In response to his election, Mansel said, “It is a huge honour to take on the role of Chair of CARAS Cymru. I’m deeply proud to be involved with an organisation that recognises the remarkable individuals who shape our agricultural industry.”
He added, “I also want to extend my gratitude to Janet Phillips for her exemplary leadership during her tenure as Chair. Her contributions have been invaluable, and I hope to build upon the strong foundation she leaves behind.”
Mansel will be joined by Malcolm Thomas MBE FRAgS, who has been elected as the new Vice Chairman of CARAS Cymru. Malcolm, from Llangynog in Carmarthenshire, brings a wealth of experience, having had a long and distinguished career in agriculture. He is a former Director of NFU Cymru and has served as a trustee of various charities and organisations throughout his career.
Both Mansel and Malcolm are committed to furthering CARAS Cymru’s ambition to recognise and honour outstanding achievements within agriculture, rural life, and the wider rural economy

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