Farming
Farmers in Wales signal potential protest over Government policies
IN a large gathering at the Welshpool Livestock Market, Powys, hundreds of Welsh farmers voiced their concerns over the Welsh Government’s agricultural policies this Thursday. The meeting, which saw over a thousand attendees, highlighted the growing discontent within the agricultural community towards proposed funding changes perceived to adversely affect the sector.
Dai Miles, a dairy farmer from Pembrokeshire, encapsulated the mood, expressing a deep-seated frustration over continuous regulatory pressures, particularly criticizing the portrayal of livestock farming as a major pollution contributor. “There’s quite a feeling of anger and frustration here,” Miles remarked, pointing to a perceived lack of governmental attention to their grievances.
The assembly’s chair, Wyn Evans, echoed this sentiment, stressing the rural community’s exasperation with Cardiff Bay’s inaction. “Enough is enough,” Evans declared, signaling a readiness among farmers to escalate their concerns directly to the capital.
Key issues raised included regulations aimed at reducing agricultural pollution in rivers and the ongoing challenges of TB. The consensus leaned towards a more assertive approach, with plans to organize a similar meeting in South Wales, setting the stage for a coordinated action in Cardiff Bay.
In response to these developments, the Welsh Government reiterated its commitment to the agricultural sector, highlighting the maintenance of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) budget at £238m for 2024. A government spokesperson addressed the financial strains, attributing part of the sector’s challenges to broader economic pressures and decisions at the UK government level that have led to significant funding shortfalls.
The unfolding discontent has prompted Samuel Kurtz MS, Shadow Rural Affairs Minister, to advocate for a pause in the consultation process for the Sustainable Farming Scheme. In a letter to Lesley Griffiths MS, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, Kurtz urged a revision of the scheme in collaboration with farming unions to better address the sector’s needs.
Kurtz highlighted the compounded stress on farmers from a series of policy shifts, emphasizing the adverse impacts on their wellbeing and the sector’s sustainability. The call for a pause reflects a broader concern over the scheme’s current trajectory and its potential to further alienate the agricultural community.
As the dialogue unfolds, the agricultural community in Wales stands at a critical juncture, seeking meaningful engagement and reconsideration of policies they feel undermine the sector’s viability and their way of life.
Crime
Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court
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
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
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.
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