North Wales - Farmers' Union of Wales farming and rural affairs news

FUW MEETS COUNCIL CHIEF OVER TRADING STANDARDS' ''BULLDOG APPROACH''

2009-07-15T13:18:59Z

A six-strong Farmers' Union of Wales delegation has raised concerns about the perceived "bulldog approach" towards local farmers by some Conwy County Borough Council trading standards officers.

The delegation met the council's head of regulatory services Phil Rafferty to outline farmers' concerns after claims that livestock entries had suffered a reduction at Llanrwst market and producers were reportedly switching to rival markets in order to avoid Conwy's authoritarian officials.

The union has compiled a list of complaints, stretching back almost five years, including one involving a farmer visited by a trading standards officer who found a lame calf being housed in a shed.

It was alleged that after being told it was being treated by a vet, the officer threatened the farmer's wife with animal welfare offences.

Chairman of the FUW's Conwy branch Dafydd Gwyndaf said the agricultural community was sick of being mistreated. "Everyone tries their best and we agree that, in some cases, action needs to be taken in order to safeguard animal welfare.

"But many people are unhappy with the officials' attitude, and some have been genuinely frightened by their approach."

FUW Caernarfon county executive officer Gwynedd Watkin said the council's Colwyn Bay offices was very constructive. "We were assured the council would speak to its animal health officers and implement a new, gentler approach. A progress meeting will be held in early September.

"I was encouraged by the council''s approach but I was disappointed matters had come to a head. The intimidating and threatening atmosphere simply wasn't acceptable - we don't have similar problems with neighbouring authorities.

"Too many visits resulted in threats of prosecution, often for fairly trivial issues relating to paperwork. Hopefully, we can now start building bridges and put this behind us. We realise they have a job to do but it can be achieved without the bulldog approach."

FUW STRESSES HILL FARMERS MUST NOT LOSE OUT UNDER GLASTIR

2009-07-15T13:18:59Z

The Farmers' Union of Wales today repeated its plea that hill farmers claiming Tir Mynydd must not lose out during the restructuring of funding for agri-environment schemes in Wales within Axis 2 of the Rural Development Plan (RDP) 2007-13.

"The Welsh environment relies heavily on farming families and the majority of farming families rely significantly on the existing Tir Mynydd scheme, one of five agri-environment schemes in Wales due to be replaced by the Glastir scheme," said FUW senior policy officer Rhian Nowell-Phillips.

"Farmers in the Tir Mynydd scheme must be assured that the new Glastir scheme is carefully drawn up in a way that ensures it is not overly prescriptive or bureaucratic and, above all else, fills the gulf created by the abandonment of half a century of handicap payments.

"As part of the stakeholder group that will help formulate the Glastir scheme, the FUW is committed to doing all it can to ensure the scheme is as practical and beneficial as is possible but, like thousands of farmers across Wales, the union has major concerns regarding the impact it will have on our rural communities."

Ms Nowell-Phillips was speaking after rural affairs minister Elin Jones disclosed farmers in the existing Tir Cynnal and Tir Gofal agri-environment schemes will be offered an extension of their annual management payments until the end of 2013.

"We welcome the minister's announcement on the transitional arrangements for those in agri-environment schemes but for those who rely on the Tir Mynydd scheme to maintain farm incomes, ensuring that the Glastir scheme is accessible to all will be important for the viability of rural areas," Ms Nowell-Phillips added.

Farmers in the existing Tir Cynnal and Tir Gofal schemes will be able to join Glastir by selecting options complementary to the existing environmental services they are delivering.

Existing agreement holders in the Organic Farming scheme will also be able to enter Glastir when their current contract ends.

All holdings certified as wholly organic will be eligible for a 50 per cent reduction on the points required to enter the scheme in recognition of the environmental benefits derived from their organic status.

An organic conversion fund will also be included within the Glastir scheme. Agreement holders wishing to convert to organic farming or bring additional land into organic status will be able to apply for funding from this fund.

Ms Jones said farmers currently receiving Tir Mynydd will be eligible for a 20 per cent premium on joining Glastir irrespective of whether they have also extended an existing Tir Gofal or Tir Cynnal arrangement.

The 20 per cent premium also applies to organic farmers in Tir Mynydd who are eligible for the discounted points requirement for joining Glastir.

FUW WELCOMES POSSIBLE £3M BOOST FOR SHEEP MEAT SECTOR

2009-07-14T09:46:49Z

Research indicating the legal production of skin-on sheep meat - commonly known as "smokies" - could be worth more than £3m to the Welsh red meat industry was welcomed today by the Farmers' Union of Wales.

The production of smokies is illegal in the UK but the financial potential if legalised is outlined in a new report produced on behalf of Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales for the Food Standards Agency in Wales.

"The FUW has long campaigned against the illegal trade in smokies, and was one of the first organisations to support the FSA's research into making their production legal," said the union's president Gareth Vaughan.

"We have been well aware for several years that there is a demand for this type of skin-on-meat amongst certain communities, but we remain concerned that until now the only way this demand can be met is via illegal means.

"The manner in which this meat is currently produced in unlicensed and unhygienic conditions not only puts the health of the customer at risk but also does farmers no favours.

"So we welcome this latest news that the research results are so positive. If the EU agrees, then skin-on-meat could soon be produced under clean conditions in licensed abattoirs and sold openly to those customers who want this type of meat.

"It will be good news for Welsh sheep farmers, who will have the opportunity to add value to their older sheep as a new market place opens up for them. I hope the EC will look favourably on the research results and give the go-ahead for the legal production of smokies at the earliest opportunity," said Mr Vaughan.

Research has already indicated that skin-on sheep meat could be produced safely and hygienically in approved abattoirs. The report estimates that 155,000 cull ewe carcasses could be used for the new product every year.

The average retail value of skin-on sheep meat would be approximately £20 above the average retail price for a conventional mutton carcase. This works out at an additional £3.1m in income per year.

The smaller to medium sized abattoirs likely to get involved would have to invest in new equipment, including singers and washers, estimated to cost approximately £75,000 per premises.

FUW LEADERS MEET WELSH MPS AT WESTMINSTER OVER DFB COLLAPSE

2009-07-14T09:46:49Z

A four-man delegation from the Farmers' Union of Wales led by its president will meet Welsh MPs at Westminster on Wednesday (July 15) to discuss the serious concerns of the Welsh dairy sector following the collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFB).

Mr Vaughan will be joined by the union's milk committee chairman, Anglesey dairy farmer Eifion Huws, who, as a DFB member, has lost tens of thousands of pounds after the farmers' cooperative suddenly went into receivership.

Together with FUW policy director Nick Fenwick and Powys dairy farmer Bryan Jones, they will attend separate meetings organised by Anglesey's Labour MP Albert Owen and shadow Welsh minister and Clwyd West MP David Jones.

Mr Owen has already visited Mr Huws's farm for a first-hand overview of the effects of DFB's collapse on the Welsh dairy sector and David Jones has questioned Commons leader Harriet Harman and Defra minister Hilary Benn about the circumstances surrounding the co-operative's crash.

Around 1,800 farmers throughout Wales and Northern England have lost millions of pounds as a consequence of DFB's receivership, both in terms of lost revenue and capital. Now they have been warned by the receivers that they may be liable on guarantees they signed when they joined the group.

Mr Vaughan said today: "DFB's collapse has been disastrous for numerous people involved in the Welsh dairy industry who are now struggling to remain in business.

"Their plight just keeps getting worse especially after the news that the receiver may pursue them on their guarantees.

"We will be urging the MPs to demand that the Government carries out a full inquiry into all the reasons for DFB's collapse."

FUNDRAISING TRACTOR ON DISPLAY AT FUW SHOW STAND

2009-07-13T08:57:44Z

A FORDSON Major vintage tractor on display at the Farmers' Union of Wales stand during the Carmarthenshire County Show generated great interest.

After reconditioning work by FUW member Hywel Harries, of Coedcyw Mill, Llannon, Llanelli, he drove the tractor 200 miles along the Cardigan coast, inland to Tregaron and returning to Llannon to raise over £7,500 for cancer wards at two local hospitals.

Mr Harries and his sister-in-law have both received cancer treatment and wished to show their appreciation for the excellent care they had received.

The "Buy Local Produce" theme of the FUW stand was highlighted in a colourful display of produce and tasters which proved very popular with visitors to the stand. Many of them congratulated the union on the promotion.

Among the visitors to the stand was the show's president-elect Islwyn Thomas, a senior teaching fellow in farm animals, medicine and reproduction at Bristol Veterinary College.

Mr Thomas has land at Llety Maelog, Llandeilo, and was a principal vet in a Llandeilo practice for 37 years. His family are members of the FUW.

FUW WELCOMES CHANGES TO MULTIPLE PICK-UPS AND DROP-OFFS RULES

2009-07-10T14:17:27Z

The Farmers' Union of Wales today welcomed the Welsh Assembly Government's (WAG) changes to the rules governing the multiple pick-ups and drop-offs of livestock in Wales.

From July 13, 2009 there will be no need for holdings to have prior approval from WAG to operate as a multiple pick-up/drop-off site.

Speaking after the announcement the FUW's livestock, wool, and marts committee chairman Aeron Prysor Jones said: "Following discussions with the FUW a number of weeks ago, the Assembly has agreed to this move, which marks a welcome reduction in red tape for both the industry and the authorities.

"However, I would urge all those involved in multiple pickups and drop-offs to familiarise themselves with the new rules and ensure that they are adhered to, along with the relevant reporting and recording requirements, in order to avoid penalisation."

In future all pick-ups and drop-offs can be made providing that they take place on the perimeter of holdings either by tail-gating, use of pens or temporary pens. These changes will also apply to departure and destination holdings in England.

It is the responsibility of keepers to ensure that they adhere to the rules and all hauliers and auctioneers are advised to familiarise themselves with the new rules.

Mr Jones added: "If in any doubt, farmers should contact their local FUW offices or the Assembly for further details of the new requirements."

Full rules can be found in the general licences for the movements of animals at:

http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/ahw/disease/generalmovementlicences/;jsessionid=1yRWKG9K9TdHzVJWXpG0GTzhJdvQ3QHKMlQgyP1PSVn76ywvVsfs!514291769?lang=en

FUW WELCOMES ASSEMBLY'S HELP FOR WELSH DAIRY INDUSTRY

2009-07-09T15:47:41Z

A package of Welsh Assembly Government measures to help the Welsh dairy industry received the firm support of the Farmers' Union of Wales today.

Rural affairs minister Elin Jones announced that following the recent collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFoB) she could exercise some exceptional measures of flexibility within EU rules.

As a result, Welsh dairy producers who did not receive payment for milk supplied to DFoB in May and meet the conditions of the CAP Single Payment Scheme will, from October 16, receive a 70% advance on the payment they would normally be paid from December.

"During a recent meeting with Elin Jones we agreed that such an advance payment should be made in order to help those who did not receive payment for their milk following the collapse of DFB, and we are very glad she has taken the matter forward in this way," said FUW's milk and dairy produce committee chairman Eifion Huws.

Ms Jones also announced the Assembly had joined forces with DairyCo - the national levy board for the dairy industry - to jointly fund a new high-level co-ordinator post to work on behalf of dairy farmers in Wales.

The post, to be advertised nationally shortly, will ensure that in future Welsh dairy farmers receive a range of complementary support, assistance and strategic direction.

"The minister's decision to work with DairyCo and appoint a head of dairy development for Wales is a helpful measure at a crucial time for the sector," Mr Huws added.

Ms Jones said the 70 per cent advance of the full 2009 Single Payment could only be made once all validation checks have been successfully completed.

FUW MEMBER'S PLIGHT WINS AM SUPPORT

2009-07-09T08:24:35Z

An Aberconwy tenant farmer has complained to his local AM that he had still not received a big Tir Gofal payment expected last January and later promised it would be paid into his bank account a month ago.

Farmers' Union of Wales member Gwynedd Evans, of Bryn Bras, Padog, Betws y Coed, met Gareth Jones AM with union officials and raised the issue together with other matters including the need for common land to be included in the proposed Glastir scheme as soon as possible.

The cost of electronic tagging (EID) of sheep and the proposed EU legislation controlling private water supplies was also discussed.

Mr Evans said he was pleased that Mr Jones and Wales MEP Jill Evans were already pursuing with the Welsh Assembly Government the possible derogation of the water supplies legislation.

But after his substantial Tir Gofal payment had been held up since January due to cross compliance red tape he claimed he had been promised it had been sorted out and the payment would be in his bank account a last month.

However, it has still not arrived and he and his family are finding it difficult to manage because he is investing in a new slurry pit which must be completed in time for the winter housing of his suckler cow herd.

Mr Jones assured Mr Evans he would raise the non-payment issue with the Assembly's rural affairs minister Elin Jones.

ALL CATTLE IN WALES TO BE TESTED FOR BOVINE TB IN 2010

2009-07-08T15:52:14Z

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has announced that, in order to continue to identify and remove all sources of infection, all cattle in Wales will be tested for bovine TB in 2010. The Minister today (8 July) attended the Rural Development Sub-Committee to provide an update on the TB Eradication Programme.

Health Check Wales, a 15-month initiative to test all cattle herds in Wales which ends in December 2009, is proving successful in identifying and removing disease more quickly.

The new TB testing regime will apply while data from Health Check Wales - the testing of all herds in Wales between October 2008 and December 2009 - is analysed. All herds in Wales will now also have to comply with pre-movement testing requirements.

The Minister also announced that, in future, the Welsh Assembly Government will not be calculating bovine TB testing intervals on a parish level.

The Minister said: "I have made clear from the outset that the success of the TB Eradication Programme depends on a comprehensive approach which tackles all sources of infection.

"As part of Health Check Wales, we have identified and we are removing new cases of bovine TB in herds that may not have been tested until 2012. This demonstrates the need for more frequent testing in areas which are currently only tested every two, three or four years.

"Next year, all herds in Wales will move to an annual testing interval and will need to comply with pre-movement testing requirements. This will reduce the risk of disease spread through cattle movements while we analyse the full results of the TB Health Check Wales.

"During 2010, we will use Health Check Wales data to determine the geographical basis for the testing regime for 2011 onwards. I can confirm that in future we will not be calculating bovine TB intervals on a parish level.

"I realise that the change to annual testing and pre-movement testing across Wales will have an impact on how farmers manage their businesses. When I announced the TB Eradication Programme in April 2008, I stressed that it will only work if all those involved are willing to play their part. I hope by announcing annual testing today, farmers and vets can make plans now for the future."

The Minister also provided an update on progress of the TB Health Check Wales, which began in October 2008 and ends in December 2009. TB Health Check Wales is ahead of schedule, with 83% of additional tests completed. As a result of the programme, up until the end of June this year, 77 additional breakdown herds were disclosed that would not have been identified otherwise for some years.

Further information: Rebekah Tune on 02920 898490

Notes

Further information about the Welsh Assembly Government TB Eradication Programme can be found here: www.wales.go.uk/bovinetb

· TB Health Check Wales is a one-off test of all cattle in Wales between October 2008 and December 2009 aimed at finding and dealing with the disease quicker,.

· Data from Health Check Wales will be available in Spring 2010. This initiative is additional to routine testing and did not change the frequency level for routine testing.

· Annual testing all herds in Wales in 2010 will allow time for a full analysis of the disease picture captured from the TB Health Check Wales and inform future policy on testing.

· The Tuberculosis (Wales) Order 2006 requires pre-movement testing of cattle when moving from a one or two yearly testing area. Because we will be testing all herds in Wales in 2010 on an annual basis, this makes the Order applicable to all herds in Wales.

· The calculation of the testing interval has traditionally been based on parishes. The European Commission has requested that we look at calculating testing intervals on a larger scale and this is being consider by officials.

FUW LEADER WELCOMES ASSEMBLY'S GMO CONTROL PROPOSALS

2009-07-01T08:28:07Z

Farmers' Union of Wales president Gareth Vaughan today welcomed Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) proposals to protect farmers of traditional and conventional crops from the possible economic disadvantages of accidental contamination from GM crops.

Views are being sought on the proposals published in a WAG document entitled "Consultation on Proposals for Managing the Coexistence of GM, Conventional and Organic Crops in Wales".

The proposals include the imposition of strict liability on GM crop growers, a statutory redress mechanism, GM-free zones and a prohibition on GM crop cultivation in National Parks and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Welcoming the measures, Mr Vaughan said Welsh food producers would quickly lose their competitive edge if genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were used widely in the farming industry.

"The FUW was one of the first organisations to call on the National Assembly for Wales to establish a GM-free Wales and our view since 2000 has been that GMOs should only be tested in a controlled and regulated environment.

"Last year the FUW's milk and dairy produce committee held an internal consultation on the union's GMO policy position and a well attended debate on the issue took place at which both pro and anti-GMO scientists presented evidence to members.

"The subsequent responses received from our 12 county branches made it clear that the overwhelming majority of members maintain that GMOs would not bring any significant benefits to Welsh agriculture and that their premature release into the environment could be accompanied by significant risks.

"Our industry has spent a huge amount of money marketing food such as Welsh Lamb, Welsh Beef and Welsh eggs and the produce of farmers is becoming very highly respected. But going down the GMO route will quickly lead to us losing that competitive edge which we have so painstakingly built up."

Publishing the proposals, Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said WAG's long-standing position is to adopt the most restrictive policy on GM crops compatible with European Union and UK legislation.

"It is not legally possible to declare Wales GM-free, but we will continue our restrictive approach. I am committed to maintaining consumers right to choose food without GM presence and the ability of farmers in Wales to grow organic and conventional crops free from GM contamination.

"The intention is for co-existence to be tightly regulated in Wales. Our proposed measures will be more restrictive than those proposed in England and Northern Ireland."

The consultation closes on September 22 this year.

PRINCE BOOSTS HILL FARMING HOPES AND OFFERS TO HELP DAIRY FARMERS

2009-06-30T08:45:36Z

The Prince of Wales has thrown his support behind a young farmer's determined bid to carry on the tradition of keeping Welsh mountain sheep on the Cambrian Mountain in Mid Wales.

Twenty-two-year-old Farmers' Union of Wales member Emyr Davies is the fourth generation of his family to farm 1,200 acres of hill land between 1,000 and 1,700ft surrounding the remote Carnau farmstead near Llanddewi Brefi, Ceredigion.

"I feel it is my duty to remain here and carry on the good work started by my grandfather and then my father," he told the Prince during a two-hour visit to the farm.

"My late grandfather was a sheep man through and through and my father also shares his passion for the Tregaron Welsh Mountain Sheep, a local breed of sheep native to these surrounding hills.

"They have been bred here for many generations and have become accustomed to their environment. Being a hardy breed they are capable of producing good lambs under harsh conditions."

The Prince, president of the Cambrian Mountains Initiative (CMI), was visiting the farm to discuss rural issues, food production and prospects for future generations.

He told the 160-strong gathering of neighbouring farmers and industry representatives said the initiative was designed to ensure there is a real and viable future for people like Emyr.

"There are a lot of people like Emyr, thank God, but there are so many complications in the market place and the general attitude to this form of farming. I try to remind people of the huge importance of the uplands, what some people call the Less Favoured Areas.

"The difficulty is to explain to people how much work and effort of management goes into this type of farming. The fact that these hills are grazed is part of the exercise but so many people who don't live in the countryside don't understand this.

"The stories of people like the Davies family and the contribution they make in the locality to these communities is something that is so precious, particularly to Wales.

"One of the things I became aware of when I became the Prince of Wales 40 years ago was that the population on the land in Wales was far higher than anywhere else in Britain and I suspect that this is the case today. With this initiative we are trying to ensure there is a future for these people on the land.

"At the end of the day I hope we can make a difference to ensure that there is a future for people in the uplands of the countryside and that we can ensure Emyr's sons and daughters will be able to work together to ensure the survival of this environment."

Emyr said the slopes and rocky terrain of the farm, which runs 1,200 Welsh Mountain ewes and 250-300 ewe lambs, means diversifying into growing crops, fruit and vegetables is not an option.

His father Huw (48) said it was very useful to be a CMI member. "We get a little bit extra for our lambs - after all, every little bit helps.

"I like to farm these hills but they have gone over too much to the mercy of the environmentalists. It's the sheep that keep the hills as they are if left to nature they will be overrun in no time.

"During the Foot and Mouth outbreaks places like the Brecon Beacons were beginning to become overgrown within a short space of time because the stock had gone from the hills."

Last year the prince painted a special watercolour of Cwm Berwyn to be used in the distinctive Cambrian Mountains brand. The original royal watercolour has been incorporated in the bilingual branding.

Farmers and food producers who sign up to the principles of the CMI will have the opportunity to use the brand identity. Other ideas include developing distinctive farm tourism and associated rural activities.

Earlier, the prince met FUW officials and other Welsh farming representatives for 90 minutes at his Carmarthenshire home, Llwynywermod, Myddfai, near Llandovery, to discuss the crisis in the dairy sector following the collapse of the producers' co-operative Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFB).

FUW's milk and dairy produce committee chairman Eifion Huws, a DFB member who has lost several thousands of pounds from investing in the company and non-payment of milk he supplied, said: "The prince revealed that he cares passionately about maintaining traditional Welsh dairy family farms which are the backbone of the industry in Wales.

"We welcome his obvious concern for the plight of the Welsh dairy farming sector and his genuine offer to do everything he could to help us overcome our concerns for the future.

"He told us he has asked his rural action group to work with farmers, suppliers, retailers and other key partners to see if there are solutions to our concerns."

The meeting was also heard the prince had made an undisclosed cash donation to the ARC-Addington Fund, which helps maintain the economic and social fabric of the farming community, and Farm Crisis Network, which provides pastoral and practical support to people during periods of anxiety, stress and problems relating to the farm household and business.

GARETH VAUGHAN RE-ELECTED AS FUW PRESIDENT

2009-06-16T14:28:51Z

Gareth Vaughan was re-elected for the sixth successive time as president of the Farmers' Union of Wales during the organisation's council meeting in Aberystwyth this afternoon (Tuesday, June 16).

Mr Vaughan, who begins his seventh year in office, won the overwhelming confidence of the union's members when he was elected by delegates from all of the union's 12 county branches for the top post.

"I'm delighted to be re-elected as president once again and I look forward to driving forward the aims and ambitions of the FUW for another year in what is expected to be a challenging time for the industry," he said.

"We have seen long overdue improvements to livestock prices over the past 12 months - due primarily to the weakness of the pound - but these will have to be sustained for many years if the industry is to make up for what have been dire returns for more than a decade."

Born in Llanidloes in 1941, Mr Vaughan attended Manledd Primary and Llanidloes High Schools.

He left at the age of 15 to work on the family farm, and joined Llangurig Young Farmers Club where his interests included public speaking and drama. He runs a traditional beef and sheep unit at Cwmyrhiewdre Farm, Dolfor, near Newtown.

He farms in partnership with his wife of over 40 years, Audrey, and 11 years ago his daughter Catherine and son-in-law Brian joined the business.

Over the years the family has carried out extensive improvements, with shelter belts, new buildings, land drainage and farm road layouts. Some 2,000 metres of new hedgerow has been planted with the aid of grants from Radnor ESA.

Other hedge improvements were undertaken with the assistance of the Countryside Council for Wales.

Mr Vaughan has been an active member of the FUW for many years. He was chairman of the Newtown branch in 1988-89 and Montgomeryshire county chairman from 1991-93.

He has represented the county on the union's Grand Council and land use and parliamentary committee, the British Wool Marketing Board, the Meat and Livestock Commission liaison committee and the Agricultural Dwellinghouse Committee.

He was elected as the north Wales member of the FUW's national finance and organisation committee in 1998 before being elected vice president in 2000, deputy president in June 2002 and president in June 2003.

Mr Vaughan places great importance on supporting the local community and is involved with his local agricultural show, new hall committee and other local charities.

FUW HONOURS TWO WELSH BLACK CATTLE BREEDERS

2009-06-16T11:35:15Z

Two well-known Welsh Black Cattle breeders - both stalwarts of the Farmers' Union of Wales - were presented with awards during the union's annual general marketing today in recognition of their lifelong work.

Trefor Jones, founder of the Cwmcae Herd of Welsh Blacks at Llandre, Bow Street, near Aberystwyth, was recently installed as the breed society's president. He has exported cattle and sheep to Europe and is a mine of information on the problems of exporting cattle because of TB and other restrictions.

He is always willing to assist and promote the FUW and has exhibited his prize bulls at both Stradey Park and the Millennium Stadium to stress the union's support for Welsh Beef when the Scarlets and Wales played against the All Blacks.

Mr Jones always supports local and national shows and has won numerous prizes including the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society's beef champion in 2005.

Known to all as Trefor Cwmcae, he is a past chairman of the FUW's Ceredigion branch and is currently one of the county's delegates on the FUW Grand Council and Ceredigion's representative on the union's central livestock, wool and marts committee.

FUW president Gareth Vaughan presented him with the award in recognition of the agricultural industry in Wales.

Mr Vaughan also presented Richard ap Simon Jones, of Ysguboriau, Tywyn, with an award in recognition of services to the FUW and the agricultural industry in Wales.

Mr ap Simon Jones has been a leading of the FUW since its formation 54 years ago and is now regarded as a father figure of the union. He was national vice president between 1976 and 1980 - a crucial period in the development of the FUW when it was officially recognised by the government.

For almost the whole of his farming life in Ysguboriau, he has maintained unstinting loyalty to the union, regularly attending county and national meetings, and he still attends the county committee in Dolgellau and the FUW Grand Council as a life member.

He has made an outstanding contribution to the FUW and the agricultural industry, and was awarded the MBE for his services in the early 1980s. During the early 1990s, he became an influential chairman of the Gwynedd Flood Defence Committee, a post he held for 11 years.

He has also been a leading member of the Welsh Black Cattle Society - having been a former president and chaired its governing council for 12 years.

He has been a cattle judge at major agricultural shows - the Royal Welsh Show, the Royal Show, and Royal Highland Show - and is a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies.

He began farming Ysguboriau in 1952 after marrying Gwenda Jones, whose family had run the farm since the beginning of the last century. Mr R ap Simon Jones has now retired from farming and the land at Ysguboriau, including adjoining farms, is farmed separately by sons William and Simon Jones who are also renowned stockmen.

In 1996, William won the supreme interbreed champion at the Royal Welsh Show with his Welsh Black cow and Simon, whose main interest is the sheep enterprise, was UK Shepherd of the Year in 1981

FUW LEADER CONDEMNS SCRAPPING OF TIR MYNDD AGRI-ENVIRO SCHEME

2009-06-16T11:35:15Z

The Farmers' Union of Wales president Gareth Vaughan revealed today he was duty bound to condemn the Welsh Assembly Government's decision to scrap the Tir Mynydd scheme of payments to farmers within Less Favoured Areas.

"While the Union commends the position taken by the Assembly on Bovine TB, there is one recent WAG decision that we cannot condone and that is the one to abandon Tir Mynydd," Mr Vaughan told the union's annual general meeting in Aberystwyth.

"This decision brings to an end a policy based upon principles established more than sixty years ago under the 1946 Hill Farming Act - principles that recognise the fundamental importance of maintaining Wales's farming and rural communities in order to avoid deprivation, land abandonment, and rural depopulation.

"The abandonment of those principles in favour of environmental measures is a position that our members fundamentally oppose, whether changes in focus are driven by the European Commission or by the Assembly Government, and over recent weeks I have been approached by countless numbers of farmers who believe that their businesses and communities are threatened by the recent decision.

"The truth of the matter is that rural populations are an intrinsic part of the environment - they have created the environment. They play a key role in maintaining the environment. And the diversity of wildlife and biodiversity that we enjoy exists not in spite of farming, but because of farming."

Mr Vaughan stressed that the environment relied upon farming families and the majority of farming families relied significantly on the Tir Mynydd scheme, one of five agri-environment schemes in Wales due to be replaced by one scheme called Glastir from 2012.

"These families may well be threatened unless the new Glastir scheme is carefully crafted in a way that ensures that it is not overly prescriptive or bureaucratic and, above all else, fills the gulf created by the abandonment of half a century of handicap payments.

"We also have major concerns about the practicality for the Assembly of implementing the Glastir scheme, and I sincerely hope that sufficient staff will be available to produce perhaps as many as sixteen thousand detailed farm maps and agreements, while undertaking as many as 65 private interviews with farmers every single working day during the transition period.

"As part of the stakeholder group that will help formulate the Glastir scheme, the union is of course committed to doing all it can to ensure that Glastir is as practical and beneficial as is possible.

"However, be in no doubt that the FUW, like thousands of farmers across Wales, has major concerns regarding the Glastir scheme and the impact it will have on our rural communities. I am duty bound to condemn the decision to abolish Tir Mynydd."

Mr Vaughan reminded delegates there was no animal disease in Wales more concerning than bovine TB which costs the industry and taxpayers millions of pounds each year, and causes untold stress and suffering for all concerned.

"Following years of lobbying by the FUW, the Welsh Assembly Government and members from all political parties have taken the decision to stand shoulder to shoulder on the issue of TB in badgers, and this sends out a clear lesson in maturity and honesty to those amongst our English neighbours who threaten to undermine the efficacy of future Welsh and UK TB control measures.

"For too many years politicians have buried uncomfortable truths about TB in wildlife, pandering to animal rights extremists who, through threats and misinformation, have managed to steer government policy away from what is in the best interests of human health and the taxpayer.

"In Wales, such attempts to corrupt the democratic process are more common than ever - for example, in one leaflet that has been widely distributed by Badger Watch and Rescue Dyfed, no less than eight out of ten so called 'answers' to commonly asked questions are either grossly misleading or plain untrue.

"Such campaigns are deliberately designed to mislead members of the general public into lobbying against a badger cull, and I therefore hope that the Assembly's Rural Affairs Minister and her colleagues will stand up to such disgraceful campaigns of misinformation.

"Because what has been shown in Wales is that, by grasping the nettle, by refusing to allow animal rights extremists to divide and conquer, and by being honest with the general public about the role that badgers play in transmitting TB, ways forward can be found that will reduce incidences of disease in cattle and wildlife.

"I therefore, once again, congratulate the majority of National Assembly Members, the Welsh Assembly Government, and, in particular, the Minister for Rural Affairs for the courageous stance that has been taken on TB.

"That stance stands in stark contrast to the cowardly approach that has been adopted in England - an approach based on cowering in the face of intimidation from animal rights extremists and hiding behind one ridiculously decisive statement published in the Final Report of the Independent Science Group on TB that is an embarrassment to the scientific community, and is contradicted by scientific evidence from Great Britain and around the globe.

"The Defra approach not only shows a disregard for animal and human health, but also poses a wider risk of TB transmission from wildlife and the environment, as shown by the recent escalation of TB cases in humans and animals - and all in a world in which the vaccination of children against tuberculosis is no longer routine.

"I therefore, on behalf of our cross border farms, on behalf of farmers throughout the UK, and on behalf of the future health of our cattle, our wildlife, and our progeny, call on Defra to do the honourable thing with regard to TB, rather than risk dragging the whole of the UK down."

FOOD MILES FEARS FOLLOWING MILK BOTTLING PLANT CLOSURE

2009-06-15T10:58:49Z

The Farmers' Union of Wales warned today that the closure of the only major milk bottling plant in Wales could result in a withdrawal of bulk tanker collections from many dairy farms in remote areas.

"Today's closure by the receivers of Dairy Farmers of Britain's Bridgend plant is a great shame for the industry," said Eifion Huws, chairman of the union's milk and dairy produce committee.

"It gives us great cause for concern that milk collections from small farms in remote areas will be threatened. Even before today's closure of the Bridgend plant many dairy farmers in West Wales were worried whether their milk would be picked up by tankers in future.

"I fear we could soon be left with the ridiculous situation of numerous farmers having to drive many miles to deliver their milk to processors and that milk then transported back for sale by retailers in the same localities.

"We are constantly being encouraged to cut down on food miles yet we are poised to increase food miles at a time when fuel costs are rising rapidly," added Mr Huws, who is also a victim of the DFB receivership as a member of the co-operative.

The Bridgend plant was closed with the loss of 279 jobs the day after receivers announced Milk Link Ltd had bought DFB's cheese-producing creamery at Llandyrnog, Denbighshire, which employs 170.