Farming
First Minister speaks of need to win back trust of Welsh farmers
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THE FIRST Minister accepted the need to win back farmers’ trust as he was scrutinised about Welsh Government support for rural Wales.
Vaughan Gething told a scrutiny committee the relationship with farmers has improved significantly in the months since widespread protests against subsidy reforms.
In May, the Welsh Government postponed the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) until 2026 after a consultation received more than 12,000 responses.
Mr Gething raised the importance of taking a step back and listening but he stressed the need for compromise, adding: “You can’t please everyone.”
He said: “Farmers were the first group … I met when I first became the First Minister to try to reset our relationship – to recognise that we need to have a further conversation.”
Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s shadow rural affairs secretary, raised the farming sector’s calls for the SFS budget to increase by more than £500m due to inflation.
The First Minister replied: “We’re not going to be able to put right the last 14 years in the next 14 weeks – and I think that’s a wholly unrealistic demand.”
Mr Gething told the committee: “There is a need for honesty about the scale of the hole that has been inherited by the new UK Government.”
He said farming got the rough end of Brexit, with the sector “sold out” in trade deals.
Mr Gething stressed the issue will not be resolved in the first Labour UK budget, warning the UK’s books are “in a worse state than the public were told”.
“There’s an even bigger hole than we thought,” said the former lawyer and trade union representative. “You can’t click your fingers and wish that away.”
Recalling Labour’s 1997 landslide, Wales’ First Minister cautioned that it took two years to unlock significant investment “and I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a similar picture”.
Mr Gruffydd raised concerns about water quality regulations, which include slurry storage requirements coming into force on August 1.
He warned some farmers are “stuck in the planning system” and may not be able to meet the regulations through no fault of their own.
Mr Gething assured the North Wales MS that discussions will be held with regulators and enforcement authorities about the practicalities.
Turning to transport, Labour’s John Griffiths raised comments from Stuart Cole, a professor of transport economics, who has warned rural Wales has “lost out” on spending.
Mr Gething said the Welsh Government took over responsibility for the core valleys lines which became a significant financial commitment, skewing spending figures.
Pressed about cuts to rail in some rural areas in Transport for Wales’ timetable review, Mr Gething pointed out that an average of six passengers used one Heart of Wales line route.
“You can run a flexi-bus service, you can’t run a flexi-rail service,” he said.
The First Minister told the meeting forthcoming bus reforms, which would re-regulate the industry and introduce a franchising system, will be a real benefit to rural Wales.
On roads policy, Mr Gething described the former road-building programme as unaffordable, saying a new approach is needed in light of the climate and nature emergency.
David Rees, the Senedd’s deputy speaker or Diprwy Lywydd, who chairs the committee, raised suggestions that the south Wales metro has been too dominant.
Mr Gething said a better service in south Wales should give people confidence that it can be done in other parts of the country as well.
But he cautioned: “As ever, I can’t give you a definitive timeframe even though I know everyone would like me to – that’s about the balance of being honest and ambitious.”
Quizzed about the rural economy by Labour’s Jack Sargeant and the Conservatives’ Mark Isherwood, Mr Gething described digital connectivity as an essential enabler.
He pointed to Welsh Government investment in digital infrastructure despite responsibility being reserved to Westminster.
Turning to health, Russell George raised long-standing concerns about the recruitment and retention of dentists, doctors and other health professionals in rural Wales.
The Tory MS for Montgomeryshire criticised proposals to close Welshpool and Caernarfon air ambulance bases, which will be replaced by a new site in north Wales in 2025.
Pointing out that tens of thousands of people signed petitions and expressed “deep, deep concern”, Mr George asked why the Welsh Government did not step in.
Mr Gething said compelling evidence suggests the new model will lead to a better service for more people as he rejected calls to “override” clinician-led decisions.
“This isn’t about money,” he told committee members. “This is about what is the appropriate model to ensure people have the best possible service.”
Labour backbencher Joyce Watson raised the importance of rural schools to communities such as those in her Mid and West Wales region.
Mr Gething said the Welsh Government strengthened the school organisation code in 2018 to include a presumption against closure and a higher test for councils.
He told the meeting at Llanelli’s Parc y Scarlets on July 12 that only one proposal to close a rural school – on Ynys Mon – is currently being taken forward.
“I grew up in a rural part of the world,” he said. “Where you have a primary school, in particular, it makes a really big difference … and a sense of place as well.”
Asked about access to school transport, Mr Gething pledged to take forward the recommendations of a review on learner travel.
Farming
Langdon Mill Farm major development approved by planners
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PLANS for new calf buildings one of Pembrokeshire’s largest dairy farms, described as having near-five-star animal welfare despite previous concerns, have been given the go-ahead.
At the September 3 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, an application by Hugh James of Langdon Mill Farms Ltd for a calf building, weaned calf building, and associated yard areas, at Langdon Mill Farm, near Jeffreyston, Kilgetty was recommended for conditional approval.
The application was previously heard at the July meeting, again recommended for approval, but was deferred pending a site visit.
Ahead of that application, a supporting statement, through agent Reading Agricultural Consultants, said: “The holding currently has a milking herd of approximately 2,000 cows, which are housed indoors for the majority of the year, with dry cows [cows that are not lactating, prior to calving] and heifers grazed outdoors when weather and soil conditions permit.”
Currently, calves are reared at Langdon Mill Farm for two months before being transported off-site to be reared at a number of third-party farms in the area before being return later; the proposed 61.2m long calf building is required to accommodate young-stock, following separation from the cows, to two-months, with the 164.8m weaned calf building to be used for calves from two months to seven months.
The application said the proposals would “clearly make the enterprise more financially robust by reducing reliance on third party farms”.
16 letters of objection to the proposal have been received, raising concerns including claims the size of the operation is already out of keeping with the area, a potential impact on highway safety, environmental concerns including smell and claimed river pollution, a report for planners says.
Concerns were raised at the July committee meeting by objector Ian Dennis, a former vet of some four decades’ experience, who said the 2,000 cattle currently on site “are never allowed to graze,” the proposal, he said, would add another 1,000 cattle to the site.
“This is factory farming, an intensive livestock unit, no longer a farm.”
Speaking at the September meeting, Mr Dennis raised concerns about the potential pollution of nearby water sources from the development.
Following the site visit, an officer report is recommending conditional approval of the scheme said it “would enable efficiencies in the operation of an existing dairy farm business that will have associated environmental and animal welfare benefits”.
At the September meeting, Councillor Brian Hall, who later moved the application be approved, referred to the committee’s site visit.
“I was initially very concerned about the animals in the buildings, but once I looked in, I was very impressed by the condition of the cattle, they looked as if they had just come out of the barbers.
“On the basis of what I saw, the condition of the calves, in all honesty I have no hesitation in moving approval of the site, it’s got to happen so these farmers can increase their very successful operation.”
He was backed by Cllr Mark Carter, who said: “It’s a huge farm with lots of cows, it may be thought that big farms don’t equal a lot of welfare; in my past jobs I’ve driven a livestock lorry, the cows and calves all looked very healthy to me.
“The reason we’ve been told the shed is required is to effectively make a closed unit to minimise the effect of TB; TB is an absolute scourge for agriculture, to me this farm has got the right idea: they are not being moved around the county.
“I absolutely wholeheartedly agree with this application, I’ve no concerns about the welfare of the animals.”
While Councillor Jon Cole raised concerns about the ‘factory’ nature of the farming, Councillor John T Davies, himself a dairy farmer, supported the scheme.
“It is impressive, clearly the gent seemed to be very committed to animal welfare; this new building will make it significantly better as far as animal welfare is concerns, I certainly have no question marks whatsoever, it was no less than four-star, bordering on five-star.”
He said dairy farming was being forced to bigger farms due to economies of scale: “Whether you agree with industrial size farming or not, it exists; sadly in the world we now live in the market and supermarkets are now pushing in this direction – the milk prices at 30 years ago but the costs at 2024.”
The application was unanimously approved by committee members.
Farming
Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society say thank you to all county show supporters
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Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society would like to thank all those who supported this year’s county show with competitor numbers up on the previous year as well as an increase in ticket sales.
The Society, which is celebrating its 240th anniversary this year, has praised the hard work of the huge army of volunteers, sponsors and exhibitors, without whom it would not have been possible to hold the show.
Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society President, said, “Thank you to everyone who came and supported the show, especially the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, who we were privileged to have with us. We witnessed two fantastic days of competitions throughout all the livestock categories. It was such a shame the glorious sunshine of day one was replaced with heavy rain on day two. Planning now begins for the 2025 event on the 20 and 21 August.”
Award winners at this year’s Pembrokeshire County Show included:
Baron de Rutzen Award Those under the age of 45 who farm in Pembrokeshire and could demonstrate their farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture were encouraged to enter the prestigious Baron de Rutzen Award. The winners were Andrew and Jane Phillips of Windsor Farm, Lamphey. They farm 1,100 acres, with 3,000 breeding sheep and lambs. A herd of British Blue cross Limousin suckler cows sired by a Limousin bull and all calves are sold as weaned. The arable side of the business includes 80 acres of winter and spring barley which is mostly used for stock consumption. The surplus is sold. They grow 150 acres of maize which is used in a Totally Mixed Ration (TMR) for their sheep. Again, the surplus is sold to dairy farms. Some land is rented out for growing potatoes and leeks. The autumn season sees the general public invited in to buy some of the six acres of Pumpkins they grow for the Halloween market. Besides this, they are also involved with the holiday business by renting out two shepherd’s huts for visitors.
Student Bursary Award was awarded to Catrin Palferey from Llanfyrnach who will begin studying at Aberystwyth University this autumn. The £1,000 bursary is open annually to all qualifying students studying agriculture, veterinary science, agricultural engineering, food technology, forestry or other subjects clearly allied to agriculture.
Ambassador for 2025 to help support officeholders in promoting and meeting the aims of the Society. During the show, the role was awarded to Alys Owens, who works for Castell Howell and lives in Haverfordwest. Alys is an active member of Llysyfran YFC and was Club Secretary last year, for which she was awarded Club Secretary of the Year at County level. She is a cornet player for Goodwick Brass Band.
Long Service Award – Farm and estate workers from Pembrokeshire, who have been employed on the land for 25 years or more, could be nominated for this Award. There were three recipients for the inscribed Awards: Gary Barber who has been employed by Pembrokeshire Farmers Hunt for 33 years; Robert Davies who works for Michael Morris and Sally Rees who works for Tom Goddard & Sons in Camrose.
The next large event to be held on the Showground will be the Christmas Fair which will take place over two days this year on Saturday and Sunday, 14 and 15 December, between 10am and 4pm. There will be gift and craft stalls, food and drink, festive music and a Santa’s Grotto. Admission is Free.
The date has been set for Wales’ largest county agricultural show, Pembrokeshire County Show in 2025. The event will take place on 20 and 21 August at Pembrokeshire County Showground in Haverfordwest.
Farming
Urgent call for vigilance among Welsh farmers following latest fatality figures
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FARMERS across the country are being urged to prioritise safety after new figures revealed 27 people were killed in Britain’s agricultural industry in 2023/241.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), two of the deaths in the sector – which encompasses agriculture, forestry and fishing – were in Wales.
“The number of fatalities serves as a stark reminder for anyone involved in agriculture that safety must always be a top priority,” said Alex Cormack, of Lycetts Risk Management Services.
“While accidents can happen, many are preventable. It is crucial to implement and maintain rigorous safety protocols, which may include regular training, the proper use of equipment and strictly adhering to all safety guidelines.
“Farmers should also conduct regular risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential hazards on their farms.
“By taking these proactive steps, we can reduce the number of preventable incidents and protect the lives of both workers and the public in this essential industry.”
The data also revealed that more than two-fifths (44 per cent) of fatalities nationwide involved individuals over the age of 60.
“Older farmers face unique challenges, such as reduced physical strength, slower reaction times and underlying health conditions, which can increase the risk of accidents,” added Cormack.
“In addition to standard safety practices, they should consider taking more frequent breaks to help prevent fatigue and enlisting extra help when needed.”
Cormack also suggested embracing new technologies.
“Wearable safety devices and real-time hazard monitoring systems can play a significant role in reducing risks.
“Furthermore, farm owners, colleagues and family members should be vigilant in recognising when older workers may be struggling and provide appropriate support. This could involve assigning less physically demanding tasks and fostering a culture where asking for help is encouraged and respected.”
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