Farming

Women in Farming present ‘View on Brexit’

Published

8 years ago

July 14, 2017

CONTINUED access to a single market, an integrated rural training and education policy and the risks of reduced financial support for farmers are just some of the critical issues facing Welsh farm businesses.

These are some of the key findings set out in a new report which a group of more than 20 women supported through Farming Connect’s Agrisgôp management development programme, recently presented to Lesley Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs at a meeting in Cardiff Bay.

A group women working in agriculture in Wales who were supported through Farming Connect’s Agrisgôp management development programme, recently presented their new report, ‘A view on Brexit’ to Lesley Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs at a meeting in Cardiff Bay.

“As we prepare for a future outside the EU it is vital we hear the views from as many people as possible to ensure Wales’ future agriculture policies benefit everyone within the industry, not just a select few.

“Women are under-represented in senior positions within agriculture and their voice often goes unnoticed. We must do more to raise the profile of women by improving their skills, confidence and ensuring the relevant support systems are in place. This is how we can best achieve our shared vision of a prosperous, resilient agriculture industry promoting Wales’ present and future well-being,” the Cabinet Secretary said.

Working within three regional groups, these dynamic, focused women have over the past year collaborated to produce their report which will now contribute to the conversation which the Welsh Government is already having with other key stakeholders and which will directly influence the development of an Agricultural Policy for Wales post-Brexit.

With each group facilitated by trained Agrisgôp leaders, who work with like-minded individuals to develop ideas and business propositions through action learning, many of the women first got together at one of Farming Connect’s annual ‘women in agriculture’ forums last year, when the Cabinet Secretary invited delegates to set up their own regional forums and to provide their perspective on key issues facing the industry today.

Agrisgôp leader, trained coach and mediator and farmer Alice Lampard, who leads a group which has met regularly in South West Wales since the beginning of this year, emphasised the importance of empowering and encouraging women to ensure their voices and opinions are heard and valued at this important time.

“Women are recognised as having a hugely influential role in many farm businesses. Largely unsung heroes who are expected to manage farm and work commitments alongside family duties, there has never been a more important time for us to get together and speak out.

“Wales now has an opportunity to lead the way in policy development and thinking in terms of the new British Agricultural Policy and resulting Welsh policy which will sit alongside.

“This new report identifies the considerable challenges which inevitably lie ahead while also setting out recommendations on what the industry can do to capitalise on the opportunities which, we hope, are also within reach,” said Ms. Lampard.

The topics of discussion given most attention were summarised in seven specific headings namely trade; education; financial support; animal health and welfare, cross cutting themes including planning policy, broadband and rural support services; marketing and legislation.

Agrisgôp leader and financial expert Sally Herdman led the South East women’s group.

“The rural economy is particularly fragile with a high dependency on public sector jobs. A hard Brexit that leads to a suppressed rural economy, coupled with further austerity measures puts female workers in a vulnerable position.

“Closer working relationships and improved communications between the industry and Welsh Government will be the catalyst to ensuring that Wales is represented at the UK Government’s negotiating table, and I’m delighted that Agrisgôp has been able to support these groups and ensure that the female perspective is taken into account,” said Ms.Herdman.

Ceredigion AM Elin Jones said:

“I was pleased to meet with the women from across Wales to discuss the impact of Brexit on agriculture and rural Wales. As a Rural Affairs Minister for four years I found the vast majority of farming representatives were male, so to have so many women involved in a meeting like this was excellent and a breath of fresh air.

“The decision to leave the European Union won’t just affect men it will be all of us in rural Wales.”

Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Mid and West AM Simon Thomas added:

“We had a good discussion on the implications of the leaving the European Union and what it might mean for our food we put on the table, its impact on farmers, the environment and our rural areas. It was useful to have an input from voices traditionally not heard when it comes to agriculture. We talked about the importance of access to the European single market for our producers, the potential cost of food and whether Westminster will start to listen to Wales when it comes to agriculture and the environment. I look forward to working with the forum in the future.”

Business

Holiday lets allowed to stay at Narberth dairy farm

Published

5 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for a Pembrokeshire dairy farm to keep two “alternative” holiday pods sited without permission as a way of diversifying in an uncertain industry has been given the go-ahead.

In an application recommended for approval at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Vaynor Farm Ltd sought retrospective permission for the siting of two self-catering holiday accommodation pods at The Cart House, Vaynor Farm, Bethesda, near Narberth as part of a farm diversification enterprise.

It was before committee members as it was recommended for delegated conditional approval by senior officers despite being against the development plan.

Previous retrospective schemes, for two self-catering pods along with an application to retain a shepherd hut accommodation pod at another farm, a part of the Vaynor Farm farm enterprise, were refused in 2023 and 2025, the latter due to “an unjustified and harmful impact on the character and appearance of the open countryside”.

Detailing the current application, an officer report for members said the pods: Vaynor Farm Pod within the garden of The Cart House, and The Paddock Pod, on the edge of a small paddock, were constructed off-site and have been transported to their current locations, with external decking, hot tubs, a barbecue area and car parking provided for each pod.

It added: “A business plan has been submitted with the application, which explains that due to uncertainties associated with dairy farming, the applicant has sought to diversify the farm enterprise to incorporate tourism accommodation.

“The application makes the case that the proposed development represents farm diversification. It is acknowledged that the development has resulted in the provision of an alternative type of holiday accommodation for which it has been demonstrated there is a demand, contributing to the diversity and quality of accommodation available within the county and supporting an existing farm business, with consequent economic and social benefits.

“Evidence has been provided that demonstrates the extent to which the pods have provided income which has been used to support the farm business.

“However, officers consider that should planning permission be granted, a [planning obligation] will be necessary to ensure that the accommodation pods continue to support the farm business and are not separated from it at some future point in time.”

Delegated conditional approval limiting the use and occupation of the self-catering accommodation pods to short term holiday use only was moved by Cllr Brian Hall and unanimously backed by committee members.

Farming

Eglwyswrw bungalow farming condition dropped after 33 years

Published

10 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

AN AGRICULTURAL worker-only condition imposed when a Pembrokeshire bungalow was built more than 30 years ago has been removed following a request to county planners.

In an application recommended for approval at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Pamela Griffiths sought permission for the removal of a previously imposed agricultural worker-only condition for bungalow Maes Yr Awel, Eglwyswrw, near Crymych.

Members heard an application for a certificate of lawfulness allowing the applicant to stay at the bungalow, there having been a breach of that condition in excess of 10 years, had been granted earlier this year, the latest application seeking to remove the condition entirely.

An application for a certificate of lawfulness allows an applicant to stay at a development if they can provide proof of occupancy over a prolonged period.

A supporting statement for the earlier certificate of lawfulness said: “The dwelling was constructed in 1992 and has been occupied in breach of the occupancy restriction since February 2014, on the death of the applicant’s mother.”

It added: “The dwelling was substantially complete in 1992 and first occupied 28th January 1992. Mr EC and Mrs ME Griffiths were farmers and were the original occupiers of the property, together with their daughter, Ms P Griffiths, the applicant.

“There is no dispute that the condition was originally complied with by the applicants’ mother and father, but on the death of the applicants’ parents the applicant became the sole resident and has not been solely or mainly employed in agriculture at any time.”

A report for committee members said the removal of the condition was now recommended as the site benefitted from the lawfulness certificate and the agricultural condition remaining was “no longer considered reasonable”.

Approval was moved by Cllr Brian Hall and unanimously supported by committee members.

Farming

‘Poor decision’ New Creamston housing condition overturned

Published

9 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A “POOR DECISION” agricultural worker-only imposed nearly 40 years ago has been removed from a Pembrokeshire property by county planners.

In an application recommended to be approved at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County council’s planning committee, Tim and Cathy Arthur sought permission for the removal of an agricultural worker-only condition at New Creamson, Creamston Road, near Haverfordwest.

An officer report for members said the agricultural condition was imposed when the dwelling was built in 1988/89, with a later certificate of lawful development granted this year after it was proven the site had been occupied for more than 10 years on breach of that condition.

An application for a certificate of lawfulness allows an applicant to stay at a development if they can provide proof of occupancy over a prolonged period.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd told members the original agriculture-only condition was a poor decision by planners back nearly four decades ago.

“When this application was made in 1988-89 we go back to the Preseli District Council – I was still in school – it was only a 50-acre farm, it should never have been approved as it shouldn’t have been viable.

“The current applicants have owned it for the last 20 years; they’ve tried to grow apples but couldn’t make a go of it and then went in to holiday lets. We can’t enforce redundant conditions from bad decisions made years ago.”

Approval was moved by Cllr Brian Hall and unanimously supported by committee members.