[caption id="attachment_3166" align="aligncenter" width="640"] FUW DENBIGH AGM: From left, Rheinallt Hughes, Sion Aron Jones, Prysor Williams, Iwan Jones, Bryn Edmunds and John Roberts[/caption]

Topics ranging from the future of the Euro, the UK interest rate, the prospects for the red meat industry and a new Defra initiative for upland farming were discussed by an excellent turnout of members at the Farmers' Union of Wales Denbigh county branch annual general meeting on Monday November 10.

Members enjoyed an interesting and informative evening during the meeting at the Brookhouse Mill, near Denbigh, where they had the opportunity to question and debate a number of agricultural and other topical issues with a panel of guest speakers.

The panel consisted of HSBC senior agriculture bank manager Bryn Edmunds, Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) industry development manager Sion Aron Jones and Bangor University environmental management lecturer Prysor Williams.

Mr Edmunds gave a bank’s perspective on the recent and long-term trends in interest rates, exchange rates and loan facilities (both historical and into the future) for various types of on-farm investments.

Mr Jones provided an overview of HCC’s strategic action plan for the Welsh red meat industry by identifying objectives, actions and outcomes which will seek to address the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities facing the industry.

Dr Williams gave members an insight into new research that has been commissioned by Defra looking at the “sustainable intensification” of agriculture in the UK.

Bangor University’s Henfaes Farm has been chosen as one of five sites across the UK for the project and it will specifically study the effects of intensification on upland "ffridd"-type land over the next three years.

The research will involve experiments using traditional improvement techniques whilst comparing more innovative technology to see the impacts on both agricultural production and habitats and wildlife populations.

In his annual report to the members, county chairman John Roberts revealed that the Denbigh branch had once again been particularly busy. Several shows had been attended during the summer which followed an excellent Farmhouse Breakfast Week series of events in January.

In September members of FUW's Denbighshire and Flintshire branches had together raised over £4,000 as a result of the union’s Wales Coast Path charity walk and a social evening that followed.

In addition, area officer Gwyn Williams was thanked for his 39 years’ service to the union and the county and all present wished him well for his retirement.

The meeting closed with a vote of thanks by county vice chairman Rheinallt Hughes who thanked the panelists for their contribution to the meeting and county president Iwan Jones for chairing the evening.

The Caernarfonshire Branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has organised a General Election hustings for its members this Friday November 7, at the Marine Hotel, Cricieth, starting at 7.30pm, an evening that will be kindly sponsored by HSBC once again.

FUW county chairman Dafydd Gwyndaf said: “It will be an ideal opportunity to listen to what the candidates for all parties have to offer the Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency, and to agriculture and rural areas in general. We believe it’s essential for electors to have the chance to ask questions to the candidates as well as to listen to their views and opinions.

“There will be an opportunity for all to have their say during the evening as well as hear each party’s aspirations for Wales, for the future of the UK and our future in Europe. There will be light refreshments for all at the end of the meeting.”

Four party representatives will take part – Steve Churchman (Liberal Democrat), Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru), Mary Griffiths Clarke (Labour) and Neil Fairlamb (Conservative).

For more information or to book your place, contact the Caernarfonshire County Office on 01286 672 541.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the launch today (Monday November 3) of a survey of badgers found dead in Wales.

The survey is being conducted as part of the Welsh Government’s Bovine TB Eradication Programme and badgers found dead will be taken for post-mortem examination.

FUW TB spokesman Brian Walters said: “It is now eight years since the last Wales-wide survey of badgers was undertaken by the Government.

“That survey was extremely useful in identifying national and regional prevalence of bovine TB in badgers, so we welcome the launch of this new survey and would encourage anyone who sees a dead badger to report it.”

The Welsh Government is asking those who come across a dead badger to note the location and call the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 0300 303 8268. The line is open during normal office hours, Monday to Friday.

APHA will, where practicable, endeavour to collect all carcasses reported. However, they also warned that it is important people do not handle dead badgers or interfere with a carcass in any way.

The previous Wales-wide badger found dead survey was carried out between October 26, 2005 and May 31, 2006. A total of 727 badgers found dead were reported to the State Veterinary Service, 459 of which were considered suitable for examination.

Across Wales the prevalence of bovine TB in badgers was found to be 13%, with estimates of prevalence highest in Gwent (26%) southern Powys (25%), Carmarthenshire (16%) and Pembrokeshire (15%).

In the more northerly parts of Wales levels were lower, but nevertheless concerning, being 7% in northern Powys, 3% in Ceredigion, 5% in northwest Wales and 3% in north-east Wales. By comparison, the proportion of Welsh cattle which tested positive for bTB in 2007 was 0.6%.

Food, farming and tourism were in the spotlight for the fourth annual Anglesey Day in Westminster hosted by the island’s MP Albert Owen and featuring Farmers' Union of Wales members promoting their food products.

Local companies involved included bakers Popty’r Bryn, cheesemakers Caws Rhyd Y Delyn and David and Alison Lea-Wilson's Anglesey Sea Salt.

FUW county executive officer Heidi Williams said: “It was the best Anglesey Day yet with an excellent range of exhibits showcasing our island.

"We had an early start from Holyhead train station and were treated to a feast of goodies - compliments of Virgin Trains who sponsored the carriage taking those participating in this prestigious event.

"Also included in the party were Mary Parry MBE and her dancing girls dressed in traditional Welsh costumes.

"The event took place in the Attlee Suite, Portcullis House, with stands and exhibitions ranging from charities to the public and private sector, all with connections with the Isle of Anglesey.

"Guest speakers included deputy speaker of the Commons Lindsey Hoyle, Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb and his deputy Owen Smith, Elfyn Llwyd MP, Anglesey county council chairman Vaughan Hughes and Labour leader Ed Miliband also made time in his busy schedule to attend."

Former chairman of the FUW's milk and dairy produce committee, Holyhead dairy farmer Eifion Huws, took the opportunity to lobby MPs about the crisis within the dairy sector.

He reminded them Welsh dairy producers operate on a global platform within an unforgiving marketplace and it is essential that they are allowed to compete at an international level.

"I was able to tell MPs that dairy is one of Wales's largest agricultural sectors, accounting for around 34 per cent of our agricultural production by value, which is around twice as high as the whole of the UK," Mr Huws said.

"I also stressed to them that recent cuts by some processors to the prices paid to farmers mean that farmgate prices are likely to have decreased by between five to seven pence per litre (ppl) by this month and this may have a further downward impact on production levels.

"Although the UK is not a major supplier of dairy produce to Russia, their import embargo has also disrupted the EU marketplace and has made this downward price trend even worse by increasing the uncertainty across the sector," Mr Huws added.

[caption id="attachment_3155" align="aligncenter" width="768"] ANGLESEY DAY LOBBY: Eifion Huws (left) and Huw Irranca-Davies on the FUW stand.[/caption]