FUW Flintshire AGM hears about farming challenges

AGM TOP TABLE: From left, Tim Faire, Clwyd Spencer, Antoinette Sandbach and Warwick Nicholson.
AGM TOP TABLE: From left, Tim Faire, Clwyd Spencer, Antoinette Sandbach and Warwick Nicholson.

A reminder of the different challenges currently facing the Welsh agricultural industry was highlighted to two politicians during the Farmers' Union of Wales Flintshire county branch annual general meeting on Thursday October 3.

With a common theme of Welsh agriculture and rural issues running through the event, an excellent turnout of members at the Village Hall in Cilcain provided guest speakers, North Wales Conservative AM Antoinette Sandbach and UKIP Wales chairman Warwick Nicholson, with plenty of challenging and thought-provoking questions.

"They were told about the different challenges facing the industry, ranging from the consultations related to reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to the extremely contentious topic of the UK’s membership of the EU," said FUW Flintshire county executive officer Rhys Roberts.

"Both Ms Sandbach and Mr Nicholson provided their viewpoints on how the respective political parties would tackle these issues, whilst also remaining receptive to the members' concerns on what are significant and challenging matters."

The evening was chaired by FUW county branch president Clwyd Spencer and county chairman Tim Faire's annual report highlighted some of the more important events over the previous 12 months within the county including the contributions made by the branch to the National Eisteddfod at Denbigh, ranging from the Crown through to the parking duties.

An interesting and informative evening was capped with light refreshments, provided by FUW Flintshire ladies committee, when there was an opportunity to chat with the speakers face to face.