Ceredigion farmer at the helm of new FUW committee

Ceredigion farmer Maelgwyn Davies was today elected the new chairman of the Farmers’ Union of Wales arable, horticulture and cropping committee.

The committee held its inaugural meeting at the union’s head office in Aberystwyth.

Mr Davies, 56, of Panteryrod, Llwyncelyn, near Aberaeron, runs a herd of 300 pedigree Charolais cattle and 220 Welsh ewes on the 350-acre family farm. He also farms around 65-70 acres of barley, wheat and maize for cattle feed and diversified in 1995 by setting up a go-cart track.

John Savins, 45, the union’s Pembrokeshire county chairman, was elected the committee’s vice chairman. He runs a herd of 200 suckler cows on his 530-acre farm at Boncath, Pembrokeshire, and also farms around 120-acres of barley.

“By establishing an arable, horticulture and cropping committee we are now able to voice our concerns to the Welsh Government and discuss future plans of action,” said Mr Davies.

“Today we discussed crop diversification proposals under the new CAP reform, biotechnology and food security. I look forward to the work this committee can do for the union and its members in the future and hope that we will work closely with the Welsh and UK Governments on arable farming issues,” he added.