NFU President speaks to Montgomeryshire members

Complete and utter shambles is how Montgomeryshire members described the new Fallen Stock Scheme to NFU President, Tim Bennett last night at the County Conference and AGM held in Welshpool.

In a predominantly livestock hill farming area Mr Bennett explained the work that the NFU is doing on behalf of its members in looking at bio-digestor alternatives to the current Fallen Stock Scheme. Members told the President of their concerns with the scheme as already, even though the scheme only started recently, they were being let down as dead animals were being left on their farm for many days longer than they should be, waiting to be picked up.

Mr Bennett also spoke about the challenges facing the industry in the years ahead. He said, "Farmers are an integral part of the food supply chain. We should have Fair Trade Charters for farmers and not just for bananas, coffee and tea. The NFU's three main priorities this year will be the supply chain, regulation and consumers. If we get all of these right then it will mean farming in the future will be a successful industry.

Mr Bennett highlighted the need for farming to be profitable if the industry was to deliver the environmental and welfare gains that the public demanded. He warned, "Our industry must be viable if we are to reinvest for the future; to meet the demands upon us and crucially to attract the next generation of farmers into our industry. Also it is absolutely vital that we retain critical mass in production capability and it is high time that the remainder of the food chain realised this!"

The President also spoke of the crucial importance of the consumer. He said, "If consumers don't back us or our products then we have a problem. If however the consumer supports us then that power is as big as any supermarket's. As farmers we must communicate what we do better and I would encourage every farmer to talk to consumers about their products."

Arwel Hughes, from Meifod, Powys, stood down as the Chairman for Montgomeryshire last night and his Vice-President, Michael Jones, from Guilsfield, Welshpool, was nominated as the new Chairman for the next two years. Bobby Morgan was nominated as the new Vice Chairman.