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Farming

UAC yn rhoi’r pwyslais ar y diwydiant llaeth cyn Sioe Laeth Cymru

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(Chwith i’r dde): Michael Eavis, Francisca Harris a Swyddog Gweithredol UAC Sir Gaerfyrddin David Waters yn mwynhau’r ymweliad fferm

(Chwith i’r dde): Michael Eavis, Francisca Harris a Swyddog Gweithredol UAC Sir Gaerfyrddin David Waters yn mwynhau’r ymweliad fferm

Diwrnod cyn Sioe Laeth Cymru (Llun Hydref 24) bu sylw Undeb Amaethwyr Cymru ar y diwydiant llaeth yn ystod ymweliad fferm sy’n gartref i Daioni Organic.

Roedd nifer fawr o aelodau a swyddogion yr Undeb yn bresennol ar fferm Ffosyficer, Boncath, Sir Benfro yn ogystal â Mr Michael Eavis o fferm Worthy, sy’n fwy adnabyddus fel sylfaenydd a threfnydd Gŵyl Glastonbury.

Mae Laurence wedi bod yn ffermwr llaeth ers dros 40 o flynyddoedd, ac ef sy’n gyfrifol am lwyddiant ysgubol Daioni.

Ers cymryd awenau fferm Ffosyficer wrth ei dad ym 1970, yn ogystal â bod wrth wraidd y busnes Daioni, mae Laurence wedi ymestyn y fferm deuluol o 150 erw i ymhell dros 3,000 erw o dir ffrwythlon.

Newidiodd y fferm i gynhyrchu’n organig ym 1999 ac ers hynny, mae Laurence a’r tîm wedi cynyddu’r cynnyrch llaeth a arweiniodd at lansio’r brand Daioni a chyfres o gynhyrchion sy’n cael eu gwerthu yn rhyngwladol.

Yn 2008, cafodd llaeth blas Daioni ei allforio dramor am y tro cyntaf a bellach yn cael ei werthu mewn allfeydd ar draws y byd yn ogystal siopau bach a phrif archfarchnadoedd y DU.

Hefyd, yn 2012, Daioni oedd y cwmni llaeth Prydeinig cyntaf i ennill statws organig yn Tsieina ac yn 2014 agorwyd swyddfa yn Hong Kong i ganolbwyntio ar werthiant Pasiffig Asia. Bellach mae allforion yn gyfrifol am 15% o drosiant y busnes.

Y teulu Harris sy’n berchen y busnes teuluol yn gyfan gwbl bellach ac yn cyflogi oddeutu ugain o bobl leol ac mae’n parhau i fynd o nerth i nerth.

Enillodd Mr Harris wobr gwasanaeth neilltuol i ddiwydiant llaeth Cymreig UAC/HSBC llynedd, ac wrth siarad yn yr ymweliad fferm, dywedodd: “Rydym i gyd yn hynod o falch cael croesawu Michael Eavis i Ffosyficer. Dyma unigolyn sydd wedi cynyddu’r fferm laeth, a medrwn ni gyd ddysgu o’i frwdfrydedd a’i rhagwelediad yn denu’r rhai sy’n byw yn y trefi i hyfrydwch Fferm Worthy. Mae’n hollbwysig ceisio rhoi’r bobl hyn ar ben y ffordd ynghylch y materion sy’n wynebu ffermwyr llaeth ar hyn o bryd.”

Dywedodd Dirprwy Lywydd UAC Brian Thomas wrth y rhai oedd yn bresennol bod “Ein diwydiant llaeth wedi dioddef yn ofnadwy oherwydd prisiau isel dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Mae nifer o gynhyrchwyr wedi gweld y siec laeth yn haneru ac yn gorfod delio gyda chytundebau annheg. Y gwirionedd yw bydd ein cynhyrchwyr llaeth yn gorfod delio gyda phrisiau anwadal yn y dyfodol.

“Tra bod yna ychydig o gynnydd ym mhrisiau wedi digwydd dros y misoedd diwethaf, ac mae’n rhaid croesawu’r rhain, ni fyddwn yn gweld derbyn y pris llawn am sbel eto yn y dyfodol oherwydd yr anghydbwysedd rhwng cyflenwad a galw parhaol byd-eang.”

Hefyd, dywedodd Mr Thomas wrth y rhai oedd yn bresennol y byddai manteisio ar farchnadoedd newydd yn rhan hanfodol ar gyfer y sector laeth yn dilyn Brexit a bod hi’n hanfodol bod y prisiau a delir i ffermwyr yn galluogi buddsoddiad ac arloesedd fel y gallwn fod yn gystadleuol yn fyd-eang.

“Tra bod prisiau a materion cyflenwad a galw yn gyfredol, mae ein sector llaeth hefyd yn wynebu dau fater hollbwysig arall.

“Ar hyn o bryd mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ymgynghori ar yr adolygiad pedair blynedd o Barthau Perygl Nitradau (NVZ), a gall y canlyniad olygu goblygiadau ariannol i’r rhai hynny sy’n byw oddi fewn i’r ardaloedd dynodedig.

“Rydym wedi bod yn rhan o adolygiad y NVZ ac wedi cyflwyno sylwadau llwyddiannus ar nifer o ddynodiadau, a arweiniodd at gael eu tynnu oddi ar y dewis o ardaloedd ar wahân yn yr ymgynghoriad.

“Ond, mae nifer y dynodiadau newydd arfaethedig yn parhau i fod yn achosi pryder ac rydym yn parhau i ailadrodd yr effeithiau gweithredol ac ariannol y byddai’r dynodiadau yn golygu i ffermydd sy’n byw o fewn ardal NVZ.”

O ystyried costau o’r fath, pwysleisiodd Mr Thomas bod rhaid cael cyfiawnhad llawn ar gyfer unrhyw gynnydd arfaethedig yn y dynodiad ac mi anogodd aelodau UAC i wneud yn siŵr eu bod yn gweithio gyda’u swyddfa sirol lleol a chyflwyno ymateb i’r ymgynghoriad.

Wrth gyfeirio at y mater o TB mewn gwartheg, dywedodd Mr Thomas: “Mae TB mewn gwartheg yn parhau i achosi problem sylweddol yma yn Sir Benfro. Wythnos diwethaf roeddem yn croesawu cyhoeddiad Llywodraeth Cymru ei bod nhw am ystyried dull o brofi a difa moch daear fel cam bach i’r cyfeiriad cywir, ond bydd nifer o ffermwyr yn poeni am oblygiadau rhannu Cymru’n rhanbarthau TB.

Ychwanegodd y byddai targedi moch daear heintus yn gam i’w groesawu, ond mae’n siomedig bod cynifer o flynyddoedd wedi mynd heibio bellach cyn bod synnwyr cyffredin yn ennill y dydd wedi i’r Llywodraeth flaenorol roi’r gorau i’r cynllun cynhwysfawr gwreiddiol i ymdrin â’r clefyd mewn bywyd gwyllt.”

“Rwyf am fod yn glir ar un peth serch hynny – ni allwn osod unrhyw faich ariannol na gweinyddol pellach ar y diwydiant. Mae gan Lywodraeth Cymru ddyletswydd foesol i ariannu’r camau nesaf – o ystyried y miliynau o bunnoedd sydd wedi ei wastraffu ar raglen frechu moch daear aneffeithiol, ” ychwanegodd y Dirprwy Lywydd.

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Farming

Special farming role for senior Pembrokeshire councillor

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AN OFFICIAL special farming role for Pembrokeshire’s deputy leader is to be established following a call made to full council, the first time the council has had such a role for a senior member.

In a question to council leader Cllr Jon Harvey, heard at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council meeting, Conservative group leader Cllr Di Clements asked: “With the recent changes in the budget from the UK Labour Government on Inheritance Tax and Agricultural Property Relief, many Pembrokeshire farmers are feeling concerned for the future of their family farms, many in Pembrokeshire which have been in the same family for generations.

“I have always found it disappointing that in all the years I have been a councillor, and the major contribution farming has to this county’s economic, cultural and environmental well-being, there has never been a Cabinet Member’s title with rural affairs or farming, or agriculture within it.

“To show that this council recognises the importance of agriculture, and the hundreds of millions of pounds generated by farming, will the Leader consider including it in one of the titles of his Cabinet Members’ portfolio?”

Responding, Cllr Harvey said: “I full share your perspective; it’s true this council has never had a Cabinet member with this role; however I can reconsider, I regard all aspects of rural life as vitally important.”

He told members farming and rural affairs came under the portfolio of the deputy leader [Cllr Paul Miller], adding: “we’re all aware of the changing aspects of rural life at the moment, we do have a rural affairs champion in Cllr Steve Alderman, but I’ve had a conversation with the deputy leader and agreed to review this title to reflect the importance of the role and will happily make an announcement in the next few days.”

Cllr Clements responded: “These words say a lot, it shows this council recognises the importance of the most constant and probably most important business in the county.”

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Farming

Call for Pembrokeshire to oppose farming inheritance tax withdrawn

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A CALL on Pembrokeshire County Council to oppose government changes to inheritance tax affecting family farms has been withdrawn, but its proposer hopes his motion will return to a future meeting.

At the Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced farmers would have to pay inheritance tax on agricultural property and land worth more than £1 million at a rate of 20 per cent, with a £3m threshold for couples passing on their farms.

This compares to a 40 per cent rate on other estates.

A Notice of Motion by Councillor Aled Thomas, ‘relating to Protecting British Family Farms and Preserving Rural Communities’ was to be heard at the December 12 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council meeting.

Cllr Thomas, who stood as a Conservative candidate for Ceredigion-Preseli in the 2024 general election, asked that: “Pembrokeshire County Council notes its concern to the proposed changes to inheritance tax announced by the Labour Government in the recent Autumn budget, which would scrap Agricultural Property Relief (APR).

“APR has been instrumental in allowing British family farms to remain intact across generations, supporting food security, sustaining rural communities, and aiding environmental stewardship. This tax is estimated to impact over 70,000 family farms, leaving the average farming family with a tax bill of at least £240,000, which will force many to sell portions of their land or close entirely, paving the way for corporate ownership over family ownership.”

It called on the council to resolve to “oppose the Labour Government’s changes to inheritance tax affecting family farms,” to “advocate for the exemption of family farms to preserve the UK’s food security, rural communities, environmental initiatives,” and to “commit to maintaining its county council farms portfolio, particularly to encourage younger and new generations of farmers into the industry”.

It finished: “This council urges all councillors to stand with Britain’s family farms, to support our rural communities, and to protect the environment by formally rejecting this proposed ‘family farm tax’.”

At the December 12 meeting Presiding Member Cllr Simon Hancock informed members the notice had been withdrawn from the meeting.

Speaking after the announcement, Cllr Thomas, himself a farmer, said: “There was a dispute whether I should have been allowed to submit it as I am a farmer, so I took advice from the monitoring officer that I should withdraw it until I can get a dispensation from the standards committee to speak on the matter.”

He said he hoped to get the motion resubmitted to be heard at the next council meeting.

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Farming

Welsh Lamb shines at the Winter Fair Taste Awards

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THE ROYAL WELSH WINTER FAIR TASTE AWARDS, showcasing the finest native lamb breeds of Wales in a celebration of sustainability, flavour and culinary excellence, were hosted by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS).

The awards, held in collaboration with Cambrian Training Company, the Culinary Association of Wales and the National Culinary Team Wales, spotlighted the exceptional quality of Welsh Lamb and its unique characteristics.

The competition aimed to promote native Welsh Lamb breeds and emphasise their distinct flavours, encouraging chefs, businesses and consumers to consider Welsh Lamb a premium product.

The RWAS says the competition provides a vital platform to showcase the exceptional flavours of native Welsh Lamb breeds while promoting sustainable farming practices.

These lambs are grass-fed, raised in Wales and come with full traceability from farm to fork. The initiative aims to highlight the story behind the meat and the dedicated efforts of farmers in preserving these breeds.

Societies representing seven native Welsh Lamb breeds participated in the competition, held at the Cambrian Training Company building on the Royal Welsh Showground at Llanelwedd.

Each breed’s lamb was expertly cooked by chefs and presented to a distinguished panel of judges, including Dilwyn Evans, a vet featured on TV series ‘Clarkson’s Farm’,        Steven Owen, Castell Howell development chef, Neil Fenn, Professor Rhian Goodfellow, OBE and  Arwyn Watkins, OBE, executive chair of Cambrian Training Group.

The breeds showcased included Badger Face Welsh Mountain (Torddu and Torwen), Balwen Welsh Mountain, Black Welsh Mountain, Clun Forest, South Wales Mountain, Llanwenog and Pedigree Welsh Mountain.

Each lamb had been bred, born and reared in Wales, ensuring sustainable and traceable farming practices.

The awards highlighted the diversity among native Welsh Lamb breeds, from the Torddu and Torwen’s hardy nature to the Llanwenog’s docile temperament and premium meat quality.

Farmers and breed societies demonstrated the unique traits of their lambs, such as flavour, sustainability and adaptability to diverse farming environments.

Arthur Davies (South Wales Mountain) and I. T. Davies & Son (Clun Forest) were declared joint winners of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair Taste Awards. Both breeds impressed the judges with their remarkable flavour, tenderness and quality, showcasing the very best of Welsh Lamb.

The event emphasised the importance of promoting the culinary excellence of Welsh Lamb alongside its visual appeal in show rings.

Guest judge, Dilwyn Evans said: “It has been an absolute honour to judge the Royal Welsh Winter Fair Taste Awards and experience first-hand the superior taste of native Welsh Lamb.

“This exceptional meat not only embodies the rich heritage and dedication of Welsh farming but also highlights the importance of preserving these unique breeds and the sustainable practices behind them.”

The RWAS thanked the judges and Cambrian Training Group for their continued support, helping ensure the lambs were cooked to perfection for the competition.

With the awards, Wales has cemented its position as a leader in premium lamb production, bringing the exceptional flavours of its native breeds to the forefront of the culinary world.

Royal Welsh Winter Fair Taste Awards judges (from left) Steven Owen, Dilwyn Evans, Professor Rhian Goodfellow, OBE, Neil Fenn and Alwyn Watkins, OBE.

Pictured top of page: Taste Test joint winners, Arthur Davies (South Wales Mountain) and I.T . Davies (Clun Forest) with the judges.

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