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

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."