FUW WELCOMES ASSEMBLY'S NEW FARMING STRATEGY

The only way long-term profitability of Welsh family farms can be achieved is by ensuring farm gate prices cover the cost of production, stressed the Farmers' Union of Wales while welcoming the Welsh Assembly Government's new farming strategy.

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones launched the strategy "Farming, Food & Countryside - Building a Secure Future" on FUW member Wyn Hughes's family farm at Penantigi Uchaf, Dinas Mawddwy, near Machynlleth, which has a successful track record in diversifying its business.

The farm's enterprises include bottling and selling water from a natural spring running through their land, leasing out a plant to a local special needs charity, and owning and running the local Red Lion pub which sells their bottled water and produce from their organic farm.

"The FUW is pleased that many of its suggestions have been accepted in this report which outlines how the WAG will work to secure a sustainable future for farming, food and land based production industries, and the Welsh countryside environment up to 2020," said union president Gareth Vaughan.

The five key aims of the strategy are:

* Connecting to the marketplace;

* Producing sustainably and profitably;

* Safeguarding animal health and welfare, plant health and food safety;

* Sustaining our countryside;

* Encouraging innovation.

Mr Vaughan said a sustainable, profitable agricultural industry will provide wider benefits to the rural economy in terms of environmental protection and management.

"And, of course, the multiplier effects of farmers' spend within the local economy will help businesses and services to remain viable and culture to thrive in the rural heartlands.

"But there is growing concern about the security of food supplies globally. Poor harvests and increasing input costs, coupled with greater demand for food, have pushed up food prices and created instability around the world.

"Whilst the FUW accepts that the UK generally enjoys a high level of food security, there is a need for any strategy to recognise that the founding principle of the Common Agricultural Policy was to encourage food security within the European Union.

"Whilst times have changed and European agriculture is now part of a wider global market place, the need to ensure the availability, affordability and distribution of food remains a fundamental issue for any government."

Mr Vaughan said the FUW supports the principle of co-operatives and collaborative marketing. "Historically, procurement co-operatives (food and fertilisers) have proven to be more successful than marketing ventures.

"However, there are now a growing number of successful collaborative partnerships, and consideration needs to be given to how these successful co-operatives can be utilised alongside Farming Connect to provide mentorship and support to those who may be considering collaborative action."

Mr Vaughan stressed that the FUW strongly supports the development of a supermarket Ombudsman and welcomes the WAG's support for this initiative.