TWO SCHOOL pupils from Pembrokeshire came out on top as the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has revealed the winning designs for its Christmas card design competition.

Children from primary schools across Wales had been invited to submit a farming themed Christmas card design in aid of Wales Air Ambulance, the FUW’s current Presidential charity.

The competition was split into two categories – English and Welsh designs. The English category was won by Will Smith, 10 years old, from Roch Community School, Haverfordwest. The Welsh category was won by Keira Lewis, 9 years old, from Narberth CP School, Pembrokeshire.

FUW President Ian Rickman said: “The competition was a roaring success once again and has attracted hundreds of entries from across Wales. The standard was very high and presented the judges with a tough task when it came to choosing the winners.

“I would like to thank every single child who entered the competition and to tell them that without their participation the contest would not have been such a success. I would also like to express my gratitude to the staff at the schools up and down the country that assisted the FUW in the running of the competition.

“It gave children in urban and rural areas of Wales an opportunity to connect with the farming industry and express their thoughts in a creative and colourful way. I believe it is vital that we as farmers maintain a strong link with young people so that they understand the way that food is produced in this country.”

The cards can be purchased either from the FUW’s head office by calling 01970 820820 or from respective FUW county offices.

CALLS to allow a 950-herd north Pembrokeshire dairy farm to keep a farm shed built without permission a decade ago are expected to be approved despite “grave concerns” by the local community council.

In an application recommended for conditional approval at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee meeting of December 4, Trewern Farms Ltd seeks permission for the retention of the agricultural building and lay down area at Trewern Farm, Felindre Farchog.

The application is part of a wider complex planning history associated with the site.

A report for Park planners says: “Trewern Farm is operated as a zero grazing style dairy farm with 304 hectares located on two separate parcels of land, one at Trewern with the remainder being at Penpedwast, adjacent to Castell Henllys. The farm has a dairy herd of approximately 950 cows.

“Trewern Farm has expanded significantly over recent years with many of the buildings and structures on site having been erected without the prior benefit of planning permission, and having since been regularised through a combination of retrospective applications and certificates of lawfulness.

“The building subject of this application is believed to have been constructed in 2014. The site currently comprises an agricultural shed immediately adjoining another shed and is used for cubicle housing.

“A slurry lagoon, silage clamps and 12 of the newer agricultural buildings are now lawful as Certificates of Lawfulness were granted for these whilst the Authority was awaiting an Environmental Impact Assessment to be submitted by the applicants for the 2015 planning application to regularise the unauthorised buildings.

“However, this is the last of the outstanding agricultural buildings which are not lawful, and an enforcement notice was served in May 2018 requiring its removal. This notice was appealed in November 2019 and is currently being held in abeyance by the Planning Inspectorate.”

It says the building referred to in the application “is described as being designed to house cattle in a series of cubicles, and forms part of a longer set of buildings running along the southern section of the farming complex,” adding: “The livestock numbers are not proposed for increase as a result of this application but will be as secured [by a planning consent] restricted to no more than 960 milking cows with 1020 maximum excluding calves.”

It adds: “The close proximity of the site to the North Pembrokeshire Woodlands SAC which is an old sessile oak wood with an exceptional diversity of rare epiphytic lichens has meant that proposals to increase livestock numbers have required appropriate assessment under the Habitat Regulations to assess potential impacts. The design and siting of the building is considered acceptable within the wider complex of buildings.

“Subject to conditions in relation to both landscaping and control of maximum milking herd numbers, to ensure there are no potential additional ammonia impacts on the SAC, the proposal is considered acceptable and to meet relevant Local and National planning policy requirements.”

Local community council Nevern has said it has “grave concerns” about the application, asking, amongst other things, how the 960 cattle limit will be policed and the important woodland will be protected.

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has announced significant updates to its Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), marking a key step in its efforts to balance agriculture, climate change, and biodiversity goals. Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies revealed the revisions at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair on Monday (Nov 25), pledging to deliver a scheme that meets farmers’ needs while addressing environmental commitments.

The updates follow extensive consultation with farming unions, environmental groups, and stakeholders such as the Ministerial Roundtable and the Carbon Sequestration Panel. Among the major changes are:

• Streamlined Universal Actions: The number of Universal Actions has been reduced from 17 to 12, with revisions to 10 of these actions, making them more practical for farmers.
• Tree Cover Requirement Adjusted: The minimum 10% tree cover rule has been replaced with a scheme-wide target. Farmers can now choose where and how many trees and hedges to plant under the Optional Layer.
• Simplified Animal Health Action: A single Universal Action now covers animal health, welfare, and biosecurity, focusing on tailored veterinary advice.
• Flexible Wash Station Requirement: Mandatory wash stations have moved to the Optional Layer, recognizing differing biosecurity needs across farms.
• Social Value Payments: A new payment structure under the Universal Layer will reward farmers for the broader benefits their work brings to society.

The updated scheme retains the requirement for farmers to manage at least 10% of their land as habitats for biodiversity, with temporary habitat creation options under development to support diverse farming systems.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies highlighted the importance of working together: “Following the consultation, it was clear changes were needed—we said we would listen, and we’ve done just that.

“Farmers are central to our rural economy and food production. As stewards of the land, they have a critical role in protecting nature and tackling climate change.

“This revised outline reflects significant progress made in partnership with stakeholders. While much has been achieved, this is not the final scheme. Further discussions, economic analysis, and impact assessments will shape the final version, due next summer.”

The updates have been cautiously welcomed by industry leaders, who praised the consultation process but emphasized the need for further work.

• Victoria Bond, CLA Wales Director:“This progress reflects the impact of stakeholders working constructively with the government. Today’s update demonstrates what can be achieved when our sector’s expertise is valued.”
• Ian Rickman, FUW President:“We’ve welcomed the opportunity to engage and believe we are in a better place as a result. However, this is just the beginning. We need a budget and payment methodology that delivers economic stability for family farms.”
• Aled Jones, NFU Cymru President:“This is an important step forward. While much remains to be done, I am confident continued collaboration can help us achieve our ambitions for food, nature, and climate.”
• Rachel Sharp, Wildlife Trusts Wales Director:“Farmers must be supported to create more woodland, ponds, and hedgerows. By increasing investment in the Optional and Collaborative tiers, we can address the climate and nature crises.”

The revised scheme will now undergo updated economic analysis and impact assessments, with payment rates and final details to be determined next summer.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies expressed optimism about the scheme’s potential: “We’ve come a long way, and there is still more work to do. The final scheme will support rural communities, sustainable food production, and our climate goals for future generations.”

The Sustainable Farming Scheme aims to balance food production with climate and biodiversity commitments, supporting Welsh farmers in navigating the challenges of a changing world.