The Farmers’ Union of Wales Denbighshire branch recently hosted a successful farm visit (October 2) with deputy Minister for farming and food, Rebecca Evans AM at a farm near Wrexham.
Union officials along with regional AM’s Aled Roberts and Llyr Huws Gruffydd visited Rhos Farm, Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham, run by FUW member Paul Jones to discuss a range of current farming issues.
Mr Jones farms 1600 sheep on land ranging from lowland up to the Ruabon Mountain, which is common land.
“We outlined a number of concerns to the deputy Minister regarding the potential impact of the new Basic Payment scheme (BPS), on farm businesses across Wales and the knock-on effects it will have on rural communities, the Welsh language and culture, if upland farms become less viable or sustainable,” said FUW Denbigh and Flintshire county executive officer Rhys Roberts.
Mr Jones showed the Minister his faming system, highlighting the fact that he entered Glastir in 2012, and has adapted his flock by using a more profitable breed in order to improve efficiency.
He expressed concerns that his management decisions are constrained to some extent by the fact the moorland is common land, which is also designated as an SSSI and is part of the extended AONB, along with a large proportion of the in-bye land.
The flock is monitored annually as part of the Aberystwyth University ‘Farm Business Survey’ and Paul believes he is already trying to implement best practice on the farm but feels the reduction in support in the future will compromise his ability to produce a quality product at a profit that allows him to re-invest in the business.
“We enjoyed a fruitful discussion with the deputy Minister on the potential funding sources that the new RDP would make available to farms and rural businesses and it was clear that she was keen to listen to proposals put forward by the farming industry,” added Mr Roberts.
The issue of Greening and the ongoing process of registering Environmental Focus Areas (EFA’s) were also raised with the deputy Minister.
Mr Roberts questioned the need to undertake this exercise if the individual farm does not exceed the threshold that activates the need for EFA’s, saying that: “This process is placing a huge logistical and bureaucratic burden on farmers, the Farming Unions and also on Welsh Government staff who have to process the forms.”
The deputy Minister advised members that the Greening element of the new Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is subject to ongoing discussions with the EU and that Welsh Government would continue to press for the measure to be simplified where possible.
FUW Denbighshire county chairman John Roberts thanked Rebecca Evans AM after the visit saying: “We are extremely grateful to the deputy Minister for taking the time to visit Rhos Farm and for listening to the concerns raised by those present. We are confident that our key messages were taken on board and we look forward to seeing some ground breaking and innovative initiatives within the new RDP.”
