RURAL AFFAIRS MINISTER SPEAKS 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.