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FUW Ceredigion young farmers look to the future with Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture Rebecca Evans.[/caption]
Young farmers from Ceredigion came together recently to discuss their future in farming with Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, Rebecca Evans.
The event, which was organised by the Ceredigion branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales, was held at Blaenglowon Fach farm, Talgarreg.
The 320 Friesian cow milking farm, which stretches over 500 acres and includes Pantswllt farm, is run by father and son team Hywel Dafis (correct spelling) and Arwel Davies.
High on the agenda was the Basic Payment Scheme and the uncertainty it brought with it for the industry.
Hywel Dafis, 36, who is keen to update the milking parlour to be more competitive and efficient on the global market scale, said that a major problem for young people now was that there was less money in the pot that goes directly to farmers.
“Welsh farmers are facing the most challenging and difficult period for a decade. A severely depleted CAP budget thanks to 15 percent of monies being moved from Pillar 1 to Pillar 2, coupled with ongoing uncertainty over exactly how much and when farmers will receive their BPS payment, creates extreme pressures for the industry,” said Hywel.
“With all that in mind the Rural Development Programme (RDP) is one key toolbox we do have at our disposal and which is a lifeline to the farming community.
“It is really important that the next Welsh Government ensures that as much funding as possible is made available to invest directly in farm improvements and infrastructure which will improve farm returns and supply chain efficiency.
“RDP funds have to be invested in the future of agriculture and equip it to cope with reductions in financial support and market failure, so that young farmers like myself can move with the times and be efficient and competitive on a global scale.”
Ceredigion’s young people further highlighted the fact that farming plays an enormous role in the community and that many of the rural businesses are sustained by the farming community.
FUW Ceredigion County Executive Officer, Mared Rand Jones, said: “The young people are our future and they need to be supported and their enthusiasm for this industry needs to be backed up by Government.
“We had some really good discussions with the Deputy Minister, which I hope will drive home the message that with around 35 percent of Wales’ population living in rural areas, the potential loss or watering down of what are currently EU policies aimed at supporting our rural communities and the agricultural businesses which lie at their heart should be a major concern for our politicians.
“On behalf of our young farmers, I thank the Deputy Minister for coming to listen to their concerns and ambitions, so that we can work together for the future of our local communities.”