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.
Farming
King Charles III is new Royal Welsh Agricultural Society patron
KING CHARLES III has continued a royal tradition by agreeing to become the new patron of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS).
As Prince of Wales, he consistently supported the RWAS, having visited the Royal Welsh Show seven times from 1969 to 2019 and he opened the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in 2001.
“To have the monarch as our patron is very special,” said Aled Rhys Jones, RWAS chief executive. “We are immensely grateful to His Majesty for continuing his support to the society.
“He is a true champion of rural matters and has a deep affection for Wales. His support as patron will be a great endorsement to the work we do in promoting Welsh agriculture.”
The decision follows a review of the patronages of the late Queen, the former Prince of Wales and the former Duchess of Cornwall. The letter from Buckingham Palace to the RWAS read: ‘His Majesty would be delighted to accept’.
The Queen was patron of the RWAS for 70 years and showed great support. Her support reflected her long-lasting interest in Welsh agriculture, horticulture and rural affairs.
The Queen’s first official role with the RWAS was as Princess Elizabeth in 1947, when she was honorary president. She undertook a triumphant tour of the showground during a visit to the Royal Welsh Show, held in Carmarthen.
The late Queen had followed her late father, George VI, and her grandfather, George V in accepting the patronage.
King George V first became patron as Prince of Wales in 1907 and formally as King in 1911. His Silver Challenge Cup for the best Welsh Cob then became known as the George Prince of Wales Challenge Cup, one of the most famous cups presented at the Royal Welsh Show annually.
Farming
Nut trial looks at viability of producing walnuts in West Wales
A WEST WALES couple are experimenting with growing nuts on their land.
Martyn Williams and Alison Harwood have planted walnut and sweet chestnut trees on a one-hectare south facing slope overlooking the River Towy.
They have chosen varieties that are a good match for conditions at Old Castle Farm, Llangain, Carmarthenshire.
Nuts are being grown commercially more than ever in the UK as the climate heats, making products more economically viable, but what is less understood is how well suited this enterprise is to weather conditions in west Wales, or the free-draining and slightly acidic loam soils at Old Castle Farm.
To examine this, Martyn and Alison have been awarded funding from the Farming Connect ‘Try Out Fund,’ an initiative that makes provides funding to individuals and groups of farmers and growers to experiment with ideas and bring them to life.
They have planted 20 walnut trees and 20 sweet chestnut trees, varieties selected for growth characteristics matched to the latitude in this region.
Establishment is now being monitored and, to give the trees the best chance to thrive, the area around them is being kept weed-free to prevent competition for nutrients and moisture.
The plan is to explore the use of alternative mulches, such as wool, even shells from a local beach, to balance the soil temperature and retain moisture.
Nut trees are helpful for providing biodiversity on farms but compared to other European regions, Wales has a very small economy in food production from trees.
Climate change coupled with proposed changes to the Welsh government farming policy means that alternative types of food production need to be investigated.
Martyn is grateful to Farming Connect and the Try Out Fund for helping to bring the project at Old Castle Farm to life.
“It has given us a bit of a free rein, taking the pressure off trialling an enterprise that might or might not be viable.’’
It is likely to be five years before the trees produce any quantity of nuts, if indeed they do, but Martyn says planting trees is as much a legacy for future generations as the pleasure they bring to the current one.
“I love planting trees, they could be around for hundreds of years, long after we have gone. I get that farmers need to produce food to feed us but this will be our legacy.’’
Farming
Welsh farmers urged to be vigilant for signs of Bluetongue
WALES’ Chief Veterinary Officer has urged farmers in Wales to be alert to signs of Bluetongue as we enter a period where animals are at an increased risk of contracting Bluetongue virus from midges.
Bluetongue does not affect people or food safety. The virus is primarily transmitted by midge bites and affects cattle, goats, sheep and camelids such as llamas, and midges are most active between April and November.
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease, so any suspect cases must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
The impacts on susceptible animals can vary greatly – some show no clinical signs or effects at all, for others it can cause productivity issues such as reduced milk yield or reproductive losses, while in the most severe cases can be fatal for infected animals.
Farmers can help prevent the disease by:
- responsibly source livestock
- practicing good biosecurityon your premises
- remaining vigilant
Keepers considering importing animals or biological products, for example germinal products , from BTV affected countries or out of disease control zones should consult their vet to check if this is permitted, and on the risks of doing so. This should always be done before deciding to import or move animals.
All businesses should have a contingency plan for both responding to disease outbreaks on their premises and if they might be in a disease control zone. Contingency plans should include details of where animals are normally slaughtered to check that abattoir is designated.
Richard Irvine, Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer, said: “As we enter this period where animals are more at risk from Bluetongue from midges, I would urge all keepers to take action now to protect their herds and flocks to keep disease out, be aware of how to spot Bluetongue and report any suspected cases immediately”.
“Wales has never had a case of Bluetongue – but – with past cases in England and in Europe we are encouraging people to be vigilant and prepared for Bluetongue to strike again.”
Your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office should be contacted immediately on 0300 303 8268 if you suspect Bluetongue in your animals. APHA vets will investigate suspected cases.
Further information and resources on the current bluetongue situation are also available on the Ruminant Health and Welfare website.
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