Recently by Marian Jones

The Farmers' Union of Wales today welcomed a Welsh Assembly Government decision to extend the deadline by three weeks for farmers to apply to join the All-Wales Element of the new Glastir agri-environment scheme after recently adding an additional option within the scheme.

"Obviously, we welcome the decision to move the deadline forward but in reality it will create even more confusion for farmers trying to come to terms with an already complicated scheme," said the FUW's land use committee chairman Richard Vaughan, of Tywyn, Meirionnydd.

"We feel strongly that such confusion could have been avoided. We have lobbied long and hard, stressing that Glastir was far too hastily drawn up without enough consideration given to how practical it would be for farmers.

"We have repeatedly called for all the details to be properly put in place before the scheme was opened so that this inevitable confusion could have been avoided. This latest deferment just adds to the conflicting advice circulating within the farming community."

Application packs will now be issued from October 4 and farmers will have until November 22 to return their completed application form.

Major crop failures in the Black Sea region and the natural disaster currently devastating Pakistan should focus EU Commission thinking on food security, according to Farmers' Union of Wales' Meirionnydd county chairman Robert Wyn Evans.

Speaking today (Wednesday August 25) at the Merioneth County Show in Harlech, he said adverse weather had led to Russia's barley crop being at its lowest level in 40 years, forcing the country to ban grain exports.

In Pakistan, severe flooding has resulted in the loss of more than 200,000 livestock and 700,000 hectares of crops being submerged or destroyed.

"While our hearts go out to those affected by the terrible natural disaster in Pakistan, the recent impact of severe weather on harvests should come as a stark warning to Europe that we must ensure a vibrant agricultural sector," said Mr Evans.

"In the coming months, important decisions will be made about the future of agriculture in the EU after 2013. If those decisions do not recognise the importance of EU food and crop production, this is likely to lead to an increased reliance on countries outside the EU.

"That would not be acceptable and the recent collapses in production in major crop producing areas of the world, coupled with the decision by Russia to ban exports to protect its own people, demonstrate the danger of relying increasingly on other countries."

The EU is currently considering the future of the Common Agricultural Policy after 2013, and some fear that financial pressures within the EU will lead to agriculture and rural communities being sidelined.

Meanwhile, fears of a repeat of 2008's global food shortages have led to significant volatility in grain prices. However, market analysts have attempted to calm fears by claiming that global supplies are sufficient to meet demand.

"We do not yet know whether these severe losses in crop production will lead to the type of global food crisis seen in 2007 and 2008 but policy makers who ignore the these warning signs place every European citizen in danger," Mr Evans added.

"Food is a commodity we cannot do with out. In a world with a growing population and increased risks of severe weather Europe must have a Common Agricultural Policy which recognises this.

"The FUW firmly believes that protection of the family farm should be at the heart of the Common Agricultural Policy, and that this is the key to ensuring sustainable European agriculture and food production."

The Farmers' Union of Wales' Meirionnydd branch today (Wednesday August 25) appealed to farmers to take advantage of the Welsh Assembly Government's (WAG) new scheme to assist those hit by difficulties obtaining broadband reception.

The £2m funding scheme, announced early last month, offers support up to a maximum of £1,000 for individual premises.

FUW Meirionnydd county chairman Robert Wyn Evans said it was important for members to be aware of this scheme as there were many broadband "not-spots" in the county and many other parts of rural Wales.

The union has already assisted members in the Cwmtirmynach, Bala area who are preparing quotations to accompany the completed application forms to WAG.

Mr Evans said broadband was now becoming essential to farmers with so many requiring the facility for reporting cattle movements, completion of VAT returns and many other services.

"Many see access to the internet as critical for living and working in rural areas such as Meirionnydd, and we warmly welcome this initiative from the Assembly Government," Mr Evans added.

He also revealed that FUW county branch staff would assist members with the scheme's booklets and information at its stand at today's (Wednesday August 25) Merioneth County Show in Harlech.

The Farmers' Union of Wales described the news that Welsh lamb was being routinely mis-sold on the menus of North Wales eateries as a significant step backwards in the promotion of quality Welsh produce.

Of the 244 restaurants, pubs, takeaways and hotels, targeted by a Trading Standards Probe, a staggering 50 per cent were unable to identify the origin of products which were being described and sold as 'Welsh lamb'.

Reacting to the news, Union President Gareth Vaughan said: "Farmers in Wales have good reason to want accurate and unambiguous labelling of Welsh lamb.

"In the past few years, imported meat has been the subject of a number of mislabelling incidents which could have tarnished the quality image of food produced in Wales.

"Welsh farmers are rightly proud of their produce and the high welfare, sustainability and environmental ethics inherent in Welsh farming.

"The FUW has worked hard to promote home-grown produce and our long-standing and successful 'Buy the Welsh One' campaign reflects our commitment to the Welsh farming industry.

"It is therefore galling to think that some businesses in Wales have been routinely deceiving their customers.

"It demonstrates a complete lack of support for the Welsh agricultural sector.

"Whilst this news comes as a vast disappointment to all those who have campaigned hard to promote Welsh Lamb, the good news is that the authorities are now catching up with these businesses".

Young farmer Neil Perkins' decision to convert his family's beef and sheep farm to a low-cost sheep business financially successful in an environment without subsidies has helped him reap the Farmers' Union of Wales Pembrokeshire branch's Countryside Award.

One of the judges, FUW county president Dafydd Williams, said: "The winner demonstrated a clear vision of what he wished to do following a visit to New Zealand on a Nuffield scholarship. His father agreed and their plan was supported by their landlords, the National Trust."

Mr Perkins, 30, of Dinas Island Farm, Newport, Pembrokeshire, said: "Farming has always been a passion of mine and an industry I have always wanted to be involved with. Having grown up helping my father on the farm I then went to study agriculture at the Welsh Agricultural College in Aberystwyth.

"After a couple of years there I returned home to work on the farm full time. I then wanted to take the business a step forward which gave me the incentive to apply for a Nuffield farming scholarship with the intention of bringing the farm into the modern era of agriculture.

"My aim is to produce lamb profitably off a low input grass-based system without subsidies and be able to market the lambs on the back of this."

Mr Williams agreed that Mr Perkins has a clear understanding of the industry as it moves into a period of much lower financial support from Government. "He is convinced that finance for business investment should be generated by the business in advance of expenditure and that current surpluses resulting from the Single Farm Payment should be invested elsewhere.

"He is also strongly committed to disseminating the information he acquired in New Zealand and showing how it can be practiced in Wales."

Mr Perkins was nominated for the Countryside Award by Future Farmers of Wales (FFW) chairman Rhys Lougher who stated: "Neil is an outstanding example of a professional young farmer.

"He has taken time away from the business to study agriculture through college and more recently on global travel through the Nuffield Scholarship. He has transferred this new knowledge back into practical ways of improving his family farm.

"Dinas Island farm is now well noted for the quality of the sheep stock and its high standards of grassland management. Neil also plays a key role in the wider agricultural community of West Wales and in developing other young farmers through his work and involvement in the Future Farmers of Wales Club of which he will be chairman for 2011/2012."

Mr Perkins, who became director of the family farm business in 2002, is married to Lynda and they have three children Osian (7), Chloe (6) and Sion (2). In 2005 he was a finalist in the Lantra land-based learner of the year competition and a finalist in last year's Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales "Face of Welsh Lamb" competition.

He will be presented with the award, £100 and one year's free membership of the FUW in the Grand Arena at the Pembrokeshire County Show at 2.15pm on Tuesday, August 17.

Narberth community primary school pupils have swept the board in a Farmers' Union of Wales competition based on farming which was held for schools in Pembrokeshire.

The winners of the three categories and their school will be presented with their prizes at noon on Wednesday August 18 in the FUW marquee (stand number B36) during the Pembrokeshire County Show.

The competition, launched in June when the FUW's Pembrokeshire county executive officer Rebecca Williams wrote to all schools in the county, attracted 277 entries and was sponsored by Carmarthen & Pumsaint Farmers' Ltd, J E Lawrence & Son Ltd and the county's FUW 200+ Club.

Category 1 was won by Gwenllian Evans for her hand drawing of a farm scene; Category 2 was won by Anna Phillips and Sali Lewis who submitted a joint entry of a model of a sheep and the winner of Category 3 was Finley Griffiths for his poem entitled "The Farm".

FUW county chairman Dai Miles, who was also one of the judges, said: "All the judges were very impressed with the high standard of entries in all three categories of the competition and we had a very difficult task in choosing the winners."

The winner of each category will receive a £10 gift voucher and a goody bag for themselves, with a cheque for £30, together with £40 worth of Carmarthen & Pumsaint Farmers' Ltd vouchers, being presented to their school for use in developing their school garden.

The head teacher of Narberth CP School Edna Davies, who will be attending the presentation of prizes, was thrilled with her winning pupils and all of those who had taken part. She said the competition had fitted in well with a project which the school had been undertaking about farming during the last school year.

The winning entries and all of the other entries will be on display at the FUW marquee throughout the show.

Following intensive lobbying an 11th hour addition of a new eligibility option for maintaining existing fences on stock-excluded woodland in the National Assembly's Glastir scheme underlines the Farmers' Union of Wales arguments for a delay in the scheme's introduction, a union leader said today.

"With just three months to go before the November 1 closing date for Glastir applications, the addition of this new option, whilst welcome, proves that our calls for a delay are completely justified as farmers are still struggling with the complexities of the scheme," said the chairman of the union's land use committee Richard Vaughan.

"The FUW has consistently argued that fenced off woodland should be an inherent part of the scheme but it has taken a long time for the Assembly to put this in place and we are concerned that these last minute changes are adding to the confusion amongst farmers.

"This confirms our prolonged concerns that the scheme has been too hastily devised with insufficient thought put into how practical it would be for farmers.

"We now find ourselves in a position where we have been lobbying hard for these new options whilst remaining frustrated at the time it has taken for the Assembly to adopt the suggestions which will help make the scheme more accessible for farmers," said Mr Vaughan.

The union's concerns were reiterated during its annual general meeting, which was addressed by rural affairs minister Elin Jones, and during her recent visit to FUW president Gareth Vaughan's farm at Dolfor, near Newtown.

"Each of the scheme's options has been allocated a set number of points for various land management projects and to exclude woodland from the All-Wales element of Glastir, despite it being an important feature of previous schemes, was baffling. For many farms, dairy in particular, the omission could have meant exclusion from the scheme," said Mr Vaughan.

"We now welcome the belated acceptance of our demand as a positive step forward but regrettably many issues about the scheme still remain of concern to our members," he added.

The aims of Option 40 are to encourage the continued growth of trees and shrubs to maintain the fabric of the woodland; and to enhance the character of the landscape.

Management requirements include:

• This option is available on single blocks of existing broadleaved/conifer woodland with a minimum area of 0.5ha as defined on the National Forestry Index irrespective of whether they have been fenced under a previous scheme.

• Any woodland entered into a current Tir Gofal, Improved Land Premium, Woodland Grant Scheme, Better Woodlands For Wales, Farm Woodland Premium Scheme and Farm Woodland scheme is not eligible for this option.

• The existing fence must be maintained to exclude stock for the lifetime of the contract. If no existing fence is present it is acceptable to erect a new fence to ensure the area is stock excluded. (Points available for this option are for the maintenance of an existing fence only - existing from the start date of AWE Glastir contract)

• Stock must be excluded at all times.

• The woodland must not be used for supplementary feeding.

• The rules for habitat under the Whole Farm Code will apply to the woodland entered into this option.

A West Wales farmer today called for Chinese lanterns to be banned after a total of 10 fell on his fields on three separate occasions over the past three months.

Former Farmers' Union of Wales Pembrokeshire county chairman Griff Owen said six lanterns came down together in grazing fields on his farm alongside the Cleddau estuary at Oxland Lane, Burton, near Milford Haven, in May. Two more were discovered about three weeks ago and the remaining two the weekend before last.

"The first six were the most dangerous threat to livestock because the main frame was made up of a circular piece of thickish wire, to which the paper canopy was attached, and the candle wick was held by a criss-cross of thinner wire. Had they landed some 20 to 30 yards further away they would have been in silage fields.

"They could have then been picked up by the forage harvester and come the winter months we would have found wire inside our cows' stomachs. This type of lantern is the worst.

"The second lot we found had a circular wooden frame but it still had a criss-cross of thin wire holding the candle wick and the most recent lot were the environmental-friendly type with a wooden frame and thick cotton holding the wick.

"We have no idea who launched them as all three lots came from different directions. I think they should all be banned - even the so-called environment-friendly ones because they are not completely safe. I spotted the cows, who are pretty inquisitive, licking the last two to come down and who knows what problems they could suffer as a result.

"Consumers are always talking about the maintaining the welfare of livestock and then they let these things go up and, inevitably, they come back down on to our farmland."

The FUW has carried out an all-Wales survey of the problems created by Chinese lanterns and received reports of similar incidents in Flintshire, Glamorganshire and Carmarthenshire.

FUW's Glamorganshire county executive officer Adrian Evans said the son of a member was checking livestock at about 10pm one evening when he discovered a Chinese lantern had landed in a barn.

"It could very well have set the barn and it contents of hay and straw on fire as the lantern was still smouldering," Mr Evans added.

For sale on the internet for as little as £1.99 each, Chinese lanterns can fly for up to 20 minutes and rise over a mile into the sky. Traditionally flown during Chinese and Thai celebrations, they have been used for nearly 2,000 years.

The Farmers' Union of Wales today stressed that its campaign against Brazilian beef imports is totally justified following the European Ombudsman's strong criticism of the European Commission's delay in banning such imports in 2008 in a bid to deal with risks from foot and mouth disease.

The FUW joined forces with the Fairness for Farmers in Europe action group of British and Irish farming organisations in July 2007 to lodge a formal complaint to the European Ombudsman that the Commission should have imposed a complete import ban on Brazilian beef because of potential animal health threats.

Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting certain animals, in particular, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer. Different zones in Brazil have different foot and mouth disease statuses and the World Organisation for Animal Health considers that only one State in Brazil is foot and mouth disease-free without vaccination.

Certain zones in Brazil are "foot and mouth disease-free with vaccination". All other zones in Brazil are "not foot and mouth disease-free". The EU is currently recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health as being "foot and mouth disease-free without vaccination".

FUW's deputy president Emyr Jones said that during the Ombudsman's investigation the Commission agreed that serious deficiencies in the Brazilian beef control system had indeed been identified and although it imposed import restrictions it rejected an outright ban.

Those restrictions still left 412 Brazilian cattle farms eligible to export to the EU, compared to around 10,000 previously.

"We felt the restrictions were not strong enough because, following a fact-finding mission to Brazil in November 2007, the EU's own Food and Veterinary Office identified 'serious' deficiencies in the Brazilian system of sanitary controls," said Mr Jones.

The Ombudsman pointed out that the Commission did not immediately impose special conditions on all imports of beef from Brazil once it had analysed the report of the November 2007 mission.

Rather, it allowed consignments of meat, for which veterinary certificates were issued prior to 31 January 2008 and which were "en route" to the EU at that date, to be imported into the EU until 15 March 2008.

"The Commission failed to justify adequately why it permitted, between 1 February 2008 and 15 March 2008, imports of consignments of beef from Brazil into the EU," the Ombudsman added. He also noted that the Commission's decision states that the purpose of the exception was to "avoid disruption of trade".

Mr Jones said: "We believe the Commission should have taken more stringent measures to prevent Brazilian beef from entering the EU and we welcome the Ombudsman's criticism of the Commission for allowing Brazilian beef imports into the EU from 10,000 unapproved farms between February and March 2008.

"The Ombudsman has also demanded that the Commission continues regular inspections outside the EU to ensure necessary standards of animal and public health are respected before food is imported into the EU. His ruling vindicates our decision to make this complaint."

The Ombudsman stated that the Commission should continue to conduct regular missions to third countries for the purposes of carrying out systematic checks to ensure that such countries not only propose, but also adopt and keep in place adequate phytosanitary controls.

"Adequate phytosanitary controls should provide at least an equivalent level of protection as is provided within the EU," the Ombudsman added.

Mr Jones said: "We believe the Ombudsman has delivered a clear signal to the Commission that any continuing or future failure to impose such import restrictions would mean that the Commission would be guilty of maladministration."

Meanwhile, the FUW maintains its 'Buy The Welsh One' campaign is more relevant than ever and it is pleased that Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) is supporting the union's presence on the National Eisteddfod Maes at Ebbw Vale this week.

Eisteddfodwyr can find Welsh Beef and Welsh Lamb, cheeses, fruit, vegetables and cider - all produced locally - on the union's stand where they can also pick up a copy of HCC's popular book for children Cool2Cook2 featuring recipes for meaty tomato pasta; sticky carrot and orange muffins; Welsh Lamb stir fry; Welsh Lamb patties; beefy chip-topped pie; stir-fry fruit; spicy Welsh Lamb koftas; and sweet and sour pork.

Also featured on the stand is the Community Food Co-operative Programme in Wales which supports the Welsh Assembly Government's local sourcing action plan and encourages the reduction of food miles and more sustainable practices.

It supports local growing and purchasing of fruit and vegetables where possible and creates greater links between urban and rural areas. A pilot scheme for Welsh meat and fish is also being worked on.

"The programme has gone from strength to strength, with over 270 community food co-operatives running to date, over 80 of which are in schools, providing fruit and vegetables to approximately 6,500 families and engaging around 1,500 volunteers," said the programme's Welsh produce manager Mark Jones.

The programme sells around 11,000 bags of fruit and vegetables per week at £2.50 and £3 a bag - an average of 60 bags per food co-op. An average bag of fruit, vegetables or salad can feed a family of four people.

Currently nine growers, 32 retailers, 22 wholesalers and one social enterprise supply the food co-operatives. The retailers and wholesalers are selected on the basis that they provide as much local produce as possible. One of the growers supplies more than 50 of the co-operatives in North Wales.

Farm tenants on the 23,000-acre Vyrnwy Estate - surrounding the popular Lake Vyrnwy tourist attraction - which is up for sale at around £11m have expressed fears for their future at a meeting organised by the Farmers' Union of Wales' Montgomeryshire county branch.

They are concerned the sale of the estate could lead to major changes in their tenancies. FUW Montgomeryshire county chairman Alwyn Watkins said they feared a new owner could take a firmer stance with its management approach.

The estate is the largest single block of land to come to the market in living memory. For sale on a 125-year lease, it includes almost 12,000 acres of farmland, 5,000 acres of woodland, 13 let farms and 31 let residential and commercial buildings.

The 1,113-acre Lake Vyrnwy is also owned by Severn Trent Water and supplies fresh water to Liverpool.

Mr Watkins, who chaired the meeting, said afterwards: "The majority of tenants are on Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 tenancies and have been assured of their situation in respect of their tenancies, but a new owner of the estate would probably take a more robust approach to its management in the future.

"The tenants were alerted that moves may be made to introduce changes to clauses in their agreements, such as responsibility for repairs etc, and they were also made aware of the importance of seeking advice at rent reviews.

"This sale could mean a major change for the local community in Llanwddyn and for the farmers who farm the land on the estate."

Also present at the meeting were FUW's director of business development Emyr James; land agent and agricultural tenancy experts from Davis Meade Property Consultants, of Oswestry; and a representative of Gamlins Solicitors, Bangor.

"It was explained to the tenants what was involved in a lease arrangement and how this could impact on their farming business and the local community," said Mr James.

Mr Watkins added: "This is likely to be a major change for the local community here in Llanwddyn and for the farmers who farm the land on the estate. The meeting was obviously valued by the tenant farmers judging by the number that were present.

"We will continue to monitor the situation with this sale with great interest."