EU and Welsh Assembly Government funding continues to develop rural Wales

The Rural Affairs Minister visited the Tywi valley on 18 November to open one of the many Welsh projects that has benefitted from Rural Development Plan (RDP) funding.

The Minister opened the Tywi Afon yr Oesoedd Traditional Building centre which has been supported by over £500,000 of RDP funding. The centre will offer students and members of the public training in the fast disappearing skills of:

• stonemasonry
• and woodwork - skills which are needed to maintain the traditional buildings prevalent in this rural valley.

Speaking at the launch the Minister said:

"The Rural Development Plan is a very important mechanism for developing rural communities. Between 2007 and 2013 it will bring an impressive £795m of funding to rural Wales.

"Through this traditional building project we can see what can happen when communities realise that traditional skills have a place in the future, and are prepared to invest in that future. This centre will enable dying skills to be renewed and will ensure that the changes we make now will preserve our past and secure our future.

"I am also pleased to announce over £300,000 of RDP funding which has been awarded to the Community Enterprise Monmouthshire and the Marches project to develop collaboration opportunities between the social enterprise sectors in Monmouthshire and Wrexham. The project will focus on sharing best practice and transferring skills between the two regions.

"A further £8000 has been awarded to a sister project which will deliver an enterprise programme aimed at young people. The programme will include training and support to young people interested in starting their own social enterprises."

RDP funding is still available for Co-operation projects that are submitted via the 18 Local Action Groups across Wales. For more information, please contact ruralprogrammes@wales.gsi.gov.uk.

The Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

read more... “EU and Welsh Assembly Government funding continues to develop rural Wales”

From Green to Gold

A green waste composting scheme in Pembrokeshire has been awarded the ‘gold standard' certification for compost producers.

The PAS 100 certification has been awarded to PMR Direct Ltd, trading arm of The Pembrokeshire Machinery Ring (PMR).

PMR Direct Ltd takes green waste from Pembrokeshire County Council's Civic Amenity and Recycling Centres and processes it into compost at Rogeston Farm, near Druidston.

The end product is then used back on the land in the production of organic cereals. Green waste compost helps to retain moisture in the soil, providing crucial, slow release nutrients to crops and leading to long term yield increases.

Importantly, using compost made from recycled resources is sustainable and can increase soil organic matter and water holding capacity.

The long term use of compost in agriculture leads to a reduction in the use of inorganic fertilisers, which helps to reduce the use of fossil fuels used in the manufacturing of inorganic fertiliser and therefore reduces carbon emissions.

Neil Davies of PMR said: "Part of our service contract with Pembrokeshire County Council is to produce a PAS 100 product and working together we have been able to achieve this requirement."

Ken Rowlands, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, said: ‘This is certainly a significant achievement. Composting is recognised as key to reducing the amount of biodegradable waste sent to landfill."

The British Standards Institute PAS 100 specification covers the entire process by which compost is produced: from raw materials and production methods to quality control and lab testing. It means that the compost certified by the Association for Organics Recycling (AFOR) is quality assured, safe and reliable.

The Association for Organics Recycling Scheme is the only UK scheme providing third part assessment of conformity with BSI PAS 100. The process is reassuringly rigorous and compost producers are inspected annually.

Photograph: (left to right), Cllr Ken Rowlands, Peter Storrow, Site Proprieter of Rogeston Farm, and Neil Davies of PMR Direct Ltd.

read more... “From Green to Gold”

Date set for FUW Caernarfon AGM

The Farmers' Union of Wales' Caernarfon county branch will stage its annual general meeting at Woodlands Hall Hotel, Edern, near Nefyn, on Friday, November 27 at 7.30pm in partnership with HSBC Bank.

Guest speakers will be FUW president Gareth Vaughan, Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams, Bangor University's Prof Deri Tomos who has achieved an international reputation in the field of plant physiology, and Gerald Miles, an organic farmer from North Pembrokeshire who has campaigned tirelessly against the use of GMOs for many years.

Topic of the evening will be how to ensure a sufficient supply of food in the future and a debate on whether our politicians should allow the use of GMOs.

FUW's county executive officer Gwynedd Watkin said: "All members are welcome, and with a wealth of experience among our four guest speakers, it promises to be an interesting and informative evening.

"Following the speakers' addresses there will be a question and answer session, where members will have the opportunity to contribute to the debate."

read more... “Date set for FUW Caernarfon AGM”

FUW dairy farmers' leader demand a better deal

Welsh dairy farmers are demanding better prices for their milk following a big improvement in world and EU markets for butter, milk powder, cheese and cream over the past few months.

"We understand that there is, inevitably, a delay between increasing world prices and those in the UK but this should be reflected in our milk cheques much sooner than it is," said the chairman of the Farmers' Union of Wales milk and dairy produce committee, Anglesey farmer Eifion Huws.

World butter and milk powder markets started rising in July, with the EU following about a month later, and even in the past month butter has increased by $600/t (20 per cent).

The rise is far greater for whole milk powder with New Zealand co-op Fonterra's monthly on-line auction price soaring by 88 per cent in just four months to $3,400/t. Meanwhile, cream prices have more than doubled since February to a record £1700/t, representing an income of 9.6p per litre (ppl).

"But the processors are crying wolf and making all kinds of excuses for not passing these increases down the chain to the producers," said Mr Huws.

"According to the latest Defra figures, the UK farm gate milk price this year ranged from 20.60ppl in May to 25.56ppl in January. Since then the world and EU prices have shot up but the UK farmgate price in September of 24.05ppl was still 2.50ppl lower than for September last year.

"The milk buyers are hiding behind all sorts of reasons for not passing on their profits to farmers yet they pay regular lip service in support of a long-term sustainable future for the sector.

"But faced with ever-increasing costs dairy farmers are increasingly leaving the industry - the number of dairy farms in Wales dropped by 670 between 2005 and 2008 and there are now barely 2,000 left. If processors don't play their part they may soon discover most of their loyal suppliers will have disappeared altogether."

read more... “FUW dairy farmers' leader demand a better deal”

Open event for Torfaen farmers and food and drink businesses

Torfaen's Rural Development partnership (CREATE) is hosting an open event for farmers and food and drink businesses across Torfaen to find out about opportunities for diversification and development.

A drop in session will take place on Tuesday, 24 November from 4pm - 8pm at Pontypool Active Living Centre where you can find out more about the following:

• Torfaen's Rural Development program
• Farming Connect Services and support
• Sustainable supply chains - support for food and drink businesses
• Renewable energy opportunities for farmers - there will be a formal presentation on this issue at 6pm
• Alternative Land use
• General planning guidance from Torfaen's planning team

For more information please contact Emma Davies, Rural Diversification Officer on 01495 742146 or email emma.davies3@torfaen.gov.uk

There will be a number of different groups attending to give help and advice including the Rural Development Team, Farming Connect, Sustainable Supply Chains, Processing and Marketing and Supply Chain Efficiencies Grant Schemes, Renewable Energy Consultancy, Centre for Alternative Land use and Torfaen's Planning Team.

read more... “Open event for Torfaen farmers and food and drink businesses”

FUW welcomes assmbly ratification of TB eradication policy

The Farmers' Union of Wales yesterday described an 83% majority vote by Assembly Members supporting The Tuberculosis Eradication Order 2009 as a victory for common sense and democracy.

The Order gives the Assembly Government the powers to use culling and vaccination of badgers as part of its bTB eradication programme.

Speaking after sitting through the debate, FUW's TB spokesman Brian Walters said: "Assembly Members have already supported the principle of badger culling more than once, and this vote ratifies the cross-party support for that policy.

"During a recent consultation on this issue, 85% of Welsh respondents were in agreement that culling should be considered as part of a bTB control strategy, and I am glad that AMs have recognised the need to act in order to prevent the spread of this devastating disease."

However, Mr Walters, a Carmarthen organic dairy farmer, was concerned that some AMs had allowed themselves to be persuaded to vote against the Welsh Assembly Government.

"Some of those who spoke in support of annulling the Order had clearly failed to understand the scientific evidence on this issue and some AMs even suggested that there was no established link between bTB in cattle and badgers, which goes against the opinion of every single expert on the matter.

"The chairman of the Rural Affairs Sub Committee, Alun Davies, made a crucial point that, when you analyse the evidence properly, as his committee has done, it points to infected badgers being largely responsible for the epidemic we are now facing."

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones told AMs that the order had been laid following a 14-week public consultation and was fully supported by scientific evidence.

Last year, over 12,000 cattle were culled in Wales because of bTB and nearly £25 million was spent in compensation. Wales has already slaughtered over 8,000 cattle this year. This time last year it was just over 7,000.

By 2014, the cost to the taxpayer could be £80 million if action to eradicate TB in cattle is not taken.

read more... “FUW welcomes assmbly ratification of TB eradication policy”

Bates' 'disgust' at AM's farming views

Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates was disgusted by allegations of bad practice levelled against farmers by Assembly Members in the Chamber today, during a debate on the strategy to eradicate TB in Wales. As costs of compensation rise to over £15million per year and the number of cattle slaughtered exceeds over 29,000, despite continued tightening of biosecurity measures on farms across the country, Mick Bates has welcomed the continued commitment to eradicate TB.

Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat Mick Bates stated:

"I am disgusted by the appalling allegations of bad practice levelled against farmers in Wales. Bovine TB is a disease which affects both conventional and organic farms and the blame cannot be hurled at famers, many of whom have cared for their herds since birth, with tight biosecurity measures and high standards of farming practice.

"I have been saddened to meet many farmers who have been distraught to watch their herd slaughtered due to TB, families close to retirement left with a compensation scheme which cannot match the cash value of their animals and cannot replace what was lost - a lifetime of dedication and hard work devoted to the breeding of prime stock with an international reputation, all destroyed because TB found its way onto their ground.

"Bovine TB is one of the biggest challenges facing rural Wales and I welcome the continued commitment by the Welsh Assembly Government to pursue an integrated programme for the eradication of TB across the country. This will include the slaughter of all cattle infected with TB, increased surveillance and testing, better biosecurity, reform of the compensation regime, as well as a trial cull.

"We can no longer sit back and let this disease continue to spread, if we do not take action now then in a few years time we will no longer have a dairy sector in Wales. In Northern Ireland the Government has now identified wildlife reservoirs as being a likely reason for the continued persistence of Bovine Tuberculosis and recently agreed to a joint industry and government approach, with the first phase of the strategy including developing plans for a badger removal trial.

"I strongly support the use of vaccinations but significant research and testing would be required before a cattle vaccine could be introduced, as well the need for legislative amendment at both UK and EU level. Any benefits will not be evident for several years and during this time the number of cattle slaughtered could exceed 50,000 animals a year.

"I am pleased to note that Defra allocated an additional £20million into the badger and cattle vaccine development programme and look forward to this being available in the future, but in the meantime I support action to tackle TB now, so that wildlife and cattle, whose suffering is so often neglected in this debate, can be rid of this horrific disease."

read more... “Bates' 'disgust' at AM's farming views”

FUW’S tale of three jolly Rogers

Welsh farmers can be forgiven for asking the question: "Which Roger Evans do you mean?"

Unusually, there are three Roger Evans's prominent in the dairy industry and they were all present at the recent FUW's eve of Welsh Dairy Show reception.

And the FUW's photographer grasped the opportunity to take this picture in a bid to clarify the situation.

Photograph: Pictured (from left) is Carmarthenshire FUW member Roger Evans OBE, the Welsh Dairy Show's current president and a former chairman of Milk Marque and of the Dairy Council's executive board; Roger Evans, who sits on the Assembly's Dairy Development Centre steering committee and hosted an FUW-organised visit to his farm near Carmarthen before the reception; and Roger Evans, First Milk farmer director and board member of Dairy UK, who runs a 350-acre farm in Shropshire with his son David.

read more... “FUW’S tale of three jolly Rogers”

More farmers now eligible for the Young Entrants Support Scheme

Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, has widened the eligibility criteria for the forthcoming Young Entrants Support Scheme (YESS). The scheme will now be open to applicants who have set up as head of holding for the first time up to 12 months before submitting their application.

YESS is being introduced to encourage and support new entrants into farming. The scheme will provide grants, business support and mentoring to farmers taking over the running of farming businesses.

Speaking about the changes, the Minister said:

"I have received a great deal of positive and constructive feedback since announcing the details of the YESS scheme at this year’s Royal Welsh. In response to this, I have decided to change the eligibility criteria for the scheme so that it includes those applicants who have set up as head of holding for the first time up to 12 months prior to their application. This recognises the difficulty that some may have in securing their head of holding status in the same year that they are applying for the scheme, and making their capital investment.

"The change will also ensure that tenant farmers have an equal opportunity to take part in the scheme. Farming tenancies are an important way for young people to take their first steps in managing their own farm business, and the availability of new tenancies may not have fitted in with the original structure of the scheme. The change will assure those young people considering taking up a tenancy before the application window opens that, if they do so, they will not jeopardise their eligibility for the scheme."

The Welsh Assembly Government is also looking to attract mentors from the agricultural, business and professional sectors who would consider using their expertise to help young entrants into farming establish themselves in the crucial first years of business.

The YESS scheme is open to young farmers (under 40) who possess the necessary skills and competence and are setting-up as head of the holding for the first time or have set-up as head of holding for the first time within the previous 12 months.

The YESS scheme will open for applications at the start of 2010 and applications forms will be available from the end of this year. Details of the scheme are available on the Welsh Assembly Government website.

read more... “More farmers now eligible for the Young Entrants Support Scheme”

Progress made on measures to regulate scallop dredging

Elin Jones has said that work to implement new scallop dredging regulations is progressing well. The measures required for the proposed new Scallop Order have now been laid with the European Commission.

This follows the Minister’s statement of 8th October, when she announced that the scallop dredging closed season would continue until the 28 February 2010. The extended closure has been implemented to protect the fishery in the short term pending new measures being introduced to manage scallop dredging.

The proposed measures should allow for a new Scallop Order to come into force from 1st March 2010.

The decision to tighten regulations follows a dramatic 15 fold increase in scallop dredging within Cardigan Bay over recent years. As a result the Minister launched a ten week consultation in July which sought stakeholder views on amending and supplementing the existing management measures. The formal consultation closed on the 25th September 2009.

Speaking about the work to implement the new regulations, the Minister said:

"Due to legal requirements under the EU Technical Standards Directive, we are obliged to allow the Commission three to four months to consider our proposed measures and then provide us with the clearance to implement them.

"The purpose of the new technical Order will be to manage the scallop fishery in Wales in such a way as to secure the long term sustainability of the fishery as part of a healthy marine ecosystem. It includes measures such as prohibiting scallop fishing within 1 nm of the Welsh coastline, limiting dredge numbers, restricting vessel power throughout Wales, introducing further gear restrictions and from 2011 reducing the length of the season by one month.

"The new regulation will also include further geographic locations where the fishery will not be permitted to take place for the protection of important marine species and habitats. Survey work is due to commence shortly to identify those vulnerable habitats which should not be subject to dredging and less vulnerable habitats where scallop dredging is acceptable."

Through these measures the Minister is seeking to achieve a viable and sustainable scallop fishery in Wales which recognises and reflects the necessary level of environmental protection.

read more... “Progress made on measures to regulate scallop dredging”

FUW hands over Welsh shearing team jackets

The Farmers' Union of Wales has donated the official jackets that the Welsh team will be wearing at the 2010 Golden Shears world shearing championships to be held during next year's Royal Welsh Show.

All seven members of the Welsh team were present at the union's national annual dinner at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells, to receive their jackets from FUW president Gareth Vaughan. It is only the second time that the championships have been held in Wales - the previous occasion was in 1994.

Photograph: FUW president Gareth Vaughan (seated, left) presents Welsh shearing team manager Bryan Pugh with his jacket with (seated, centre) dinner sponsor Martin Waite, AMC regional agricultural manager. Standing (from left) are team members John Till, Bronwen Tango, Gareth Daniel, Elfed Jackson, Meinir Evans and Gareth Evans.

read more... “FUW hands over Welsh shearing team jackets”

Rural Affairs Minister to speak at FUW meeting

The Denbighshire branch of the Farmers' Union of Wales will hold its annual general meeting - when rural affairs minister Elin Jones will be the guest speaker - and a farm visit on Thursday, November 12.

Other speakers at the meeting in the lecture theatre at Llysfasi College of Agriculture, near Ruthin, will be FUW vice president Brian Walters and life member Evan R Thomas who will address members on the main issues of concern, the proposed Glastir Scheme, sheep EID and the situation within the dairy industry.

The meeting will be chaired by FUW county president Arthur Roberts and will include the chairman's annual report on the union's activities within the county.

Earlier, at 4pm, chief animal health officer at the Assembly's Caernarfon divisional Office Dafydd Pugh, FUW deputy president Emyr Jones and Clwyd West's prospective Plaid Cymru Candidate Llyr Huws Gruffydd will tour FUW Ruthin branch chairman Tim Faire's farm, Plas Bedw, Pentrecelyn.

Mr Faire farms beef and sheep on 100 acres and rents a further 70 acres with his wife Fiona. It is a first generation family farm which they work full time alongside a fencing and conservation business.

read more... “Rural Affairs Minister to speak at FUW meeting”

Felinfoel food co-op is winning recipe

A highly successful food co-op in Felinfoel is keeping locals healthy and wealthy.

The co-op, now in its third year, continues to go from strength to strength with over 20 families now on board buying fresh local fruit and vegetables at half the price of those available in supermarkets.

The co-op operates from Felinfoel Community Education Centre and Ysgol y Felin in partnership with Communities First and the Rural Regeneration Unit.

Every Wednesday, co-op volunteers take orders and payment from local families at the Community Education Centre, which go directly to the farmer.

The following Wednesday, the farmer delivers the order in bulk and volunteers divide the produce into equal shares and bag up the goods for customers to collect later in the day.

The bags vary each week, based on what is in season, but vegetable bags will almost always hold potatoes, carrots and onions.

Fruit bags usually consist of apples, bananas and oranges, plus some seasonal crops. Each bag costs just £3.

All produce is freshly picked to order, ensuring a tasty substitute to mass produced supermarket foods.

Week by week, the numbers attending rise, and with free tea and coffee for all who order the co-op has also led to many members of the community using the centre as a reason to socialise with others.

Ysgol Y Felin has also established a succesful food co-op for staff, pupils and parents on a Wednesday afternoon.

The children bag the produce during their lunch hour and customers collect and order for the following week after school.

Community Development Officer Amy Wakefield said: "The food co-op has proved to be an economically sound method of obtaining fresh produce, for both supplier and customer.

"The co-op makes no profit, meaning all money taken goes directly to the farmer. Low-income families also benefit greatly, and they can exchange Healthy Food vouchers for nutritious produce.

"The co-op has also been fortunate to have the support of the local school. Volunteers have liaised with teachers and pupils of Ysgol y Felin to promote a food-coop for staff members and parents.

"Not only does this benefit the children’s knowledge and awareness of healthy eating, but children are subconsciously learning important life skills; ordering food, converting weights, money handling, as well as participating in regular cookery classes and passing recipes to family members."

She added: "There are also great environmental benefits as buying fresh local crops helps to reduce carbon footprint. Because the farmer only selects vegetables that are ready for harvesting, it also reduces the energy of artificial lighting and temperature monitoring required."

Initial set-up costs of both co-ops were met by the Rural Regeneration Unit, which works closely with local farmers to ensure a fair price for their produce.

The continuous involvement of the RRU and local volunteers has aided enormously in the success of the project.

Councillor Clive Scourfield, executive board member for regeneration, said: "It is great that so many families are taking advantage of this fantastic scheme."

For further information about the food co-op contact Felinfoel Communities First on 01554 784847.

read more... “Felinfoel food co-op is winning recipe”

FUW warns cutting CAP budget will threaten key goals

The Farmers' Union of Wales yesterday reacted angrily to a draft EU report suggesting CAP spending after 2013 will be significantly reduced.

According to AgraEurope magazine, the report reveals spending would be cut in order to free up spending for new EU priorities.

FUW president Gareth Vaughan said: "The draft report outlines main priorities in the post-2013 financial period that include climate and energy security, and strengthening prosperity and security.

"Agriculture is a central to these key issues, and yet the draft proposals suggest a significant cut in the CAP budget.

"Any threat to the CAP budget will undermine the central role that farming must play in addressing these major challenges so to talk about such cuts while simultaneously outlining the importance of addressing these issues is simply ludicrous.

"The risks we now face in terms of food security and climate change, coupled with the challenges of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, means that any threat to the CAP budget represents a threat to every EU citizen."

The report also suggests a further splitting of the budget by introducing a "third CAP Pillar" in order to address climate change issues.

"Between 1988 and 2013 the overall share of direct agricultural support in the EU budget will have fallen by almost a half, while we have seen a massive increase in the number of EU Member States," said Mr Vaughan.

"If a third pillar is to be introduced, then the CAP budget must be increased in a way that reflects that. The EU cannot just keep carving up an already diminished budget into smaller and smaller pieces and expect to address major problems such as climate change."

There is another suggestion that Member States might be given further freedom to "nationalise" agricultural spending.

"The UK already suffers disproportionately because of our historically low allocation in terms of Rural Development funding, and the national support mechanisms that exist in other member states," Mr Vaughan stressed.

"A further movement towards re-nationalisation of agricultural spending would undermine the whole principles that underpin the EU, and are likely to severely disadvantage Wales's rural communities."

read more... “FUW warns cutting CAP budget will threaten key goals”

FUW invests in training for Carmarthenshire pupils

The Farmers' Union of Wales has invested in helping pupils at a Carmarthenshire school learn about the countryside and the food it produces.

The union has donated £600 to help set up an Agriculture and Countryside Management training course for 14 to 19-year-old pupils at Dyffryn Taf school, Whitland.

FUW president Gareth Vaughan said: "In past years there have been many instances of agricultural college mergers and closures and when we heard that Dyffryn Taf School were launching a new BTEC Agriculture and Countryside Management course for their pupils we were more than happy to lend a helping hand.

"It is vital that young people have the opportunity to learn of the challenges that face farmers from day to day as well as how food is produced.

"We need to ensure that the industry can continue to receive young, highly-trained technicians who have received top quality education and training."

Head teacher Robert Newsome said: "As with any vocational course, costs are significant. We are very grateful therefore for the FUW's financial support.

"They are seeing it as an investment into the industry that can provide proper training opportunities locally. The £600 will go towards buying personal equipment and tools for the course."

The course is run in collaboration with the county's Coleg Sir Gar further education college as part of its Learning Pathway programme that offers continuity and progression for students aged 14 to 19.

Core elements of the course are: safe and effective working practices; transport supplies of physical resources within the work area; maintenance of structures and equipment; and care of animals.

Photograph: The seven pupils currently taking the course with, back row, from left, FUW Carmarthenshire county vice chairman Ian Rickman, county chairman Roy Jones, Robert Newsome, county president Lyn Thomas and Coleg Sir Gar Gelli Aur campus lecturer Robert Davies.

read more... “FUW invests in training for Carmarthenshire pupils”

Auditors raise further concerns about milk quota abolition

A special report by the European Court of Auditors has raised further concerns over the impact milk quota abolition will have on Welsh and UK dairy farms, says the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW).

Speaking at the Welsh Dairy Show in Carmarthen, FUW milk committee chairman Eifion Huws said: "This is now the fourth report to be published in recent years that highlights the price volatility and fall in farm incomes that will accompany the abandonment of the milk quota regime.

"The FUW has received criticism from some regarding its long-standing policy on milk quotas, yet the evidence is now overwhelming - abandoning milk quotas will be a bad thing for the dairy industry, and that is something we cannot support."

The Court of Auditors considered how effectively the Commission manages the market for milk and milk products with reference to the main objectives of EU dairy policy.

Those objectives include achieving equilibrium on the milk market, stabilising prices, and ensuring a fair standard of living for producers.

The Court found that the nominal milk producer price varied little during the 1984-2006 period compared with the period before the introduction of quotas. However, in real terms, the milk producer price has fallen continuously since 1984.

The report goes on to draw attention to the overall effects expected following the withdrawal of quotas.

These include "an increase in milk production, which should lower the market price", "a reduction of producers' incomes, in spite of an increase in the quantities produced", and "a stimulation of the EU's exports, possibly causing a downturn in world prices".

The report also highlights the fact that farmgate and consumer prices do not follow parallel trends, stating: "Between the beginning of 2000 and mid-2007 nominal consumer prices for milk products increased by 17 % while the nominal price paid to the producer fell by 6%".

It goes on to say that "on a market liberalised by the abolition of quotas, production capacities will remain relatively inflexible and producers might not be in a position to adapt rapidly to fluctuations in demand.

"The Council has decided to retain public intervention as a 'safety net'. But this safety net is so thin there is a risk it will be of only limited use in a major crisis and quite inadequate in relation to the risks in respect of the surpluses that the EU might face.

"The Commission and the Member States must ensure that the concentration of processing and distribution companies does not reduce milk producers to mere price-takers and does not restrict the final consumer's possibility of enjoying an equitable share of price reductions."

Mr Huws added: "Once again, the FUW's long standing position on milk quotas has been completely vindicated. This represents yet more evidence confirming that the abandonment of the quota regime will significantly add to the problems already being felt by the industry."

read more... “Auditors raise further concerns about milk quota abolition”

Lifelong service to dairy sector earns farmer top award

A Carmarthenshire farmer was this week rewarded for his diligent lifelong service to the Welsh dairy industry.

Bryan Thomas was presented with the Farmers' Union of Wales-HSBC Bank plc award for outstanding service to the Welsh dairy industry during the Welsh Dairy Show at Carmarthen.

United Counties Agricultural and Hunters Society chairman and a member of the judging panel Lynn Davies said: "Bryan's contribution to the dairy industry in Wales and the UK throughout his lifetime is second to none and I am delighted that he has won this highly prestigious award."

Mr Thomas of Gelli Onnen, Cwmffrwd, Carmarthen, has been a board member of the National Milk Records for 15 years and is currently the chairman of the Dairy Development Steering Committee. He also sits on the Assembly's Dairy Strategy Group.

He is a past Council member of the Holstein Friesian Society and is a founder member of the Welsh Dairy Show.

At the 2005 Royal Welsh Show, he received a Fellowship from the Royal Agricultural Society for his services to agriculture.

But most people would associate Mr Thomas with the highly respected pedigree Holstein Gelliddu herd which he and his father established during the 1950s.

The Gelliddu herd has won many herd competitions and events within the South Wales British Friesian Society, Holstein South Wales Society and the National Milk Records.

Mr Thomas now farms with his son Gareth and the herd continues to be one of the leading pedigree Holstein herds in Carmarthenshire.

Bryan is a well known prestigious judge at many national events. He also has strong links with the Carmarthenshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs due to his contribution to St Peter's YFC.

He is the first person to receive two prestigious awards within the county as, in 2006, he won the FUW/Sioe Sir Gâr award for outstanding services to agriculture in Carmarthenshire.

Photograph: From left, Nigel Davies, HSBC Wales Regional Agriculture Banking Manager; Elin Jones, Minister for Rural Affairs; Bryan Thomas, winner of the lifelong services to the Welsh dairy industry award and Gareth Vaughan, Farmers’ Union of Wales President.

read more... “Lifelong service to dairy sector earns farmer top award”

Coping with bTB restrictions is a real challenge, say FUM member

The overwhelming impact of bTB restrictions on the day-to-day running of a farm was today brought home during a farm visit in Carmarthenshire arranged by the Farmers' Union of Wales.

First hand evidence of the impact of bTB restrictions was outlined during the visit to Penlan Argoed farm, Penlan Road, Carmarthen, run by FUW members Roger and Alison Evans and family.

Mr and Mrs Evans run a herd of 350 dairy cows and have been dealing with the challenges of bTB restrictions since April 2008. Due to the restrictions all unwanted dairy bull calves have had to be put down and beef calves, normally sold at two to three weeks, have to be reared on the farm.

Mr Evans said: "The130-head beef unit now involves a lot of extra work and puts pressure on farm buildings, especially over the winter months. We also had to change our grazing system in order to cope with the high stocking rate that has been forced upon us.

"The cows in milk are split into two groups - early lactation and late lactation. Due to three successive wet summers and as our stocking rate is currently at 3.3 LSU/ha we decided that the early lactation group would have to remain indoors until they are confirmed well in calf at about 140 days.

"This move was taken to reduce the pressure on the grazing land and to allow better quality pasture for the late lactation cows, especially as a lot of the farm is sloping and prone to poaching when wet."

Due to the high stocking level, growing enough forage became a problem for the family farm. Feeding rationing on the farm is currently based on a semi-total mixed ration (TMR) system with flat rate concentrates being fed in the parlour.

"bTB restrictions have brought many challenges our way and we've had to work hard in order to resolve these problems.

"For example a lack of forage has meant that we had to extend the forage part of the ration by feeding brewers grains and sugar beet pressed pulp in the TMR. We also have to buy in additional silage as is needed, either as a standing crop or as silage from a clamp."

In the past the family has invested heavily in order to increase their output which was already relatively high as their cows are producing on average 8,000 litres per annum.

"It was a case of grow or fold," said Mr Evans.

The farm now boasts a 30/60 swing over herringbone parlour with a 22,000 litre milk tank and has a cubicle building for 155 cows. But even with the constraints of bTB restrictions Mr and Mrs Evans are looking to the future with an additional building of 50 cubicles and a feed passage for the fresh calver group planned for this winter.

"Our first priority at the moment is to be clear of bTB as early as possible so that we can sell all the beef cattle and increase the dairy herd to 400 cows in order to reach our goal of producing 3.5 million litres of milk per annum," added Mr Evans.

"In the past we have bought in cattle from local herds and marts but our long term aim is to breed all our own replacements thus operating a totally closed herd in order to minimise disease challenges."

The family also has plans to replace the older section of the dairy housing with a new more spacious and comfortable building to benefit the higher yielding cow.

Succession is important to Mr and Mrs Evans and they are keen to delegate more responsibilities to the younger generation in the family. "We are lucky our children are keen to farm, and we are keen to see them carry on with our farming tradition," said Mr Evans.

The family are quite aware that more challenges lie ahead especially in terms of tackling tighter environmental restrictions in light of the effects of climate change. "There is no doubt that challenging times lie ahead of the industry.

"Climate change will undoubtedly bring about stricter environmental controls especially in respect to slurry and farm waste. And farming after 2013, with a reduced or no Single Farm Payment, will also be an obstacle that we'll have to meet head on," said Mr Evans.

Speaking after the farm visit, FUW's dairy committee chairman Eifion Huws said: "The Evans family has a well run farm in Penlan Argoed and they are an example to us all. They have proved that, whatever obstacle is thrown in their way, where there's a will there's a way!"

Photograph: From left, FUW milk committee chairman Eifion Huws, farmer Roger Evans, Laura Evans - farmer’s daughter, Alison Evans - farmer’s wife, FUW president Gareth Vaughan, Jonathan Evans - farmer’s son.

read more... “Coping with bTB restrictions is a real challenge, say FUM member”

Wales' commitment to eradicating Bovine TB recognised by Europe

The Welsh TB Eradication Programme today received a welcome boost. The European Commission Standing Committee responsible for Animal Health recommended approval of the UK Bovine TB Eradication Programme together with 10 million Euros for implementation.

The European Commission requires any Member State with a TB problem to prepare a plan outlining their policies for bovine TB Eradication. The UK Bovine TB Eradication Plan for 2010 was submitted to the European Commission this September. It sets out the current programme for the eradication of TB in cattle in the UK.

The plan outlines the different policies adopted by England, Wales and Northern Ireland to TB Eradication, as well as the areas of joint activity. The Wales Bovine TB Eradication programme was established in 2007.

• It is one of the key One Wales objectives;
• It forms the basis of the Welsh component of the plan, and;
• It sets out the measures being taken forward to eradicate Bovine TB in Wales.

Scotland is not included in the plan, since it has been awarded the status by the European Commission as an Officially Tuberculosis Free region.

Elin Jones, the Minister for Rural Affairs welcomed the prospect of further funding and the recognition by Europe of Wales' commitment to eradicating bovine TB. She said:

"Bovine TB is a debilitating, infectious disease that is threatening the dairy and beef industry in Wales. Last year over 12,000 cattle were slaughtered because of the disease, and the number is likely to be even greater this year.

"We are pleased that the European Commission has recognised the commitment shown by Wales and other administrations to eradicating this disease, which can have an impact on human health as well as that of cattle, badgers and other animals. We will now be holding discussions with the UK Government to see how Wales will benefit from this money."

The UK Eradication Plan was agreed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) today. It will now go forward to the European Commission for formal approval later this year. The EU funding can be used to contribute to the costs of TB testing and compensation for cattle slaughtered.

read more... “Wales' commitment to eradicating Bovine TB recognised by Europe”

10-year livestock ban for Radnorshire couple

A Radnorshire farming couple have been banned for keeping sheep and cattle for ten years by Brecon Law Courts, Powys County Council has announced.

Andrew and Sarah Irene Thomas of Brynwig, Llananno, Llandrindod Wells, pleaded guilty at a hearing in September to six charges under the Animal Welfare Act for causing unnecessary suffering to sheep and a further three charges for failing to dispose of sheep carcasses in a prosecution led by the council’s Trading Standards Service.

They also asked for a further 28 charges in relation to disposal of sheep carcasses under their ownership to be taken into consideration.

Magistrates today order Mr Thomas to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community service and pay £500 costs. His wife was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid community service and pay £500 costs.

At an earlier court hearing, magistrates heard that animal health officers and a vet had visited the couple’s Upper Hall farm at Heyope earlier this year following complaints that a ‘large number of sheep carcasses had been scattered over a large area’ of the farm.

Officers found 31 sheep carcasses around the farm and that some had been dead between three days and several weeks. They also found evidence that six sheep suffered unnecessarily after dying from starvation

Officers made a further visit to the farm in March and found a further two sheep that had been dead for ‘several days’ and ‘mummified dead sheep which were mainly wool’ and had been dead for several months.

Cllr Graham Brown, Board Member for Public Protection, welcomed the length of the ban served by magistrates and said: “Today’s outcome sends a strong message out to the farming community that they must ensure that animal carcasses and by-products are disposed of in the correct manner and that necessary procedures are in place to prevent cruelty or unnecessary suffering to livestock.

“The animal by-product regulations are in place to try and prevent the spread of disease by ensuring that farmers dispose of dead carcasses without unnecessary delay. Any person failing to comply with animal welfare or animal by-product legislation will be investigated and we will take the appropriate action.”

For further information on the fallen livestock rules or livestock welfare advice then contact Trading Standards on Brecon 01874 623420; Llandrindod Wells 01597 826032; Newtown 01686 617524, email trading.standards@powys.gov.uk or visit www.powys.gov.uk/tradingstandards

read more... “10-year livestock ban for Radnorshire couple”