'WILL WE WAKE UP WITHOUT FOOD ONE DAY?' ASKS FUW BURSARY STUDENT

The lack of a strong emphasis on food production in the EU's Single Farm Payment regime is astonishing, according to a winner of the Farmers' Union of Wales annual student bursary.

During the formal launch of the 2008 bursary at the Royal Welsh Show today (Monday, July 21), last year's winner, Rhys Beynon-Thomas, complained that under the SFP regime farmers were being paid for being custodians of the environment rather than for producing food.

"There is no emphasis on food production within the regime yet isn't that the sole aim of the industry? Will there be a whole generation one day waking up without food for their breakfast?" asked 21-year-old Rhys, farmer's son of Goitre Fach Farm, Hendy, near Llanelli.

His £1,000 FUW bursary has enabled him to pursue a veterinary medicine course at Bristol University but despite his concerns he predicts a bright future for the industry in Wales although there will be many changes.

He also looks forward to the possibility of expressing firm views in the future about the industry from the point of view of both a farmer and a vet.

The bursary is intended to help more young people enter farming and part of the application involves writing a 1,000-word article on the future of farming in Wales. Unlike previous years three bursaries are up for grabs this year - for £700, £200 and £100.

The three top candidates will be asked to attend a formal interview to discuss their submission and the winners will be announced at this year's Winter Fair.

FUW President Gareth Vaughan said: "In past years there have been many instances of college mergers and closures as competition for funding and students increases, yet the FUW remains committed to ensuring rural colleges stay viable so that the industry can continue to receive young, highly-trained technicians who have received top quality education and training.

"We hope these bursaries go some way towards achieving this aim," said Mr Vaughan. They are open to all Welsh students intending to embark on an agriculture-related course at university or further education college.

Full details on how to apply for the bursaries are included in a leaflet available from the FUW's head office in Aberystwyth or at any of the union's local branch offices as well as on the FUW stand at the Royal Welsh Show.

The closing date for applications is August 31, 2008.