The Farmers’ Union of Wales today reminded members to be vigilant after a spate of sheep thefts in the Swansea area.

According to the West Glamorgan Commoners' Association, seven of its members have lost 350 sheep in the Swansea, Amman and Lliw Valleys over the past 18 months with losses amounting to around £30,000.

FUW member Howell Davies, a third generation farmer of Perthygwynion Farm, Pontardawe, Swansea, has suffered a series of sheep thefts over the past year.

“Unfortunately, livestock theft seems to have increased substantially in recent years and in August last year I had 62 ewes stolen from my flock,” said Mr Davies.

"It is believed that the rising price of sheep meat and the impact of the recession are largely to blame for the increase.

“Of course, it is not just farm income that suffers from these thefts, as there can also be a loss of valuable breeding lines which are very difficult, if not impossible, to replace.” added Mr Davies.

FUW livestock, wool and marts committee chairman Dafydd Roberts said the union was one of the organisations involved in the establishment of the 2011 Farm Watch scheme which aims to improve communications between farmers and the police in order to reduce the opportunities for farm-related crime.

"The FUW would, therefore, urge members concerned about the rise in sheep thefts to become involved in their local Farm Watch scheme and report any suspicious activities or suspicious loading to the police. This is especially important if such activities are being conducted at night.

"The union would also stress that buyers of sheep or sheep meat should check the corresponding ownership records and livestock identification to ensure that the animals being purchased are not stolen," added Mr Roberts who farms on Anglesey where there has been an increase in thefts of metal and wooden gates over the last couple of weeks. 

Local police believe two metal farm gates were stolen by thieves just looking for an opportunity to sell them on as scrap metal or to an unsuspecting third party.

South Wales Police met with the Commoners’ Association in November 2012 and, following this meeting, an initiative designed to combat the rise in sheep thefts is set to be launched this Spring.

Police will be conducting spot checks on vehicles carrying livestock and will continue to stop vehicles towing stock boxes late at night in remote areas.

[caption id="attachment_2239" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FUW president Emyr Jones (second from right) with breakfast event sponsors' representatives (from left) E.ON business account manager David Foode, Alun Davies and Dai Davies.[/caption]

The leading reputation of Welsh farm produce was highlighted by the Farmers' Union of Wales today as Farmhouse Breakfast Week 2013 (January 20-26) got underway.

Union president, Bala beef and sheep producer Emyr Jones, reminded consumers the European Commission's PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status, which protects the reputation of regional food products, was awarded to Welsh Beef in 2002 and to Welsh Lamb in 2003.

"PGI assures consumers that Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef have full traceability, recognising the origin and unique qualities of the product," said Mr Jones.

"Only PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef are guaranteed to be sourced from lambs or cattle born and reared in Wales, which are fully traceable, and have been slaughtered and processed in abattoirs or processors approved by Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC).

"HCC is also responsible for the development, promotion and marketing of pork from Wales," added Mr Jones, who attended the union's 14th annual Welsh farmhouse breakfast at the National Assembly in Cardiff last week and joins Welsh peers at the House of Lords on Wednesday January 30 for an FUW-organised event to celebrate Welsh farm produce.

During last week's Assembly breakfast deputy agriculture minister Alun Davies said the event was aimed at promoting breakfast and showcasing the best of Welsh breakfast produce which is becoming a cornerstone of the Welsh food calendar.

“Food is a priority for the Welsh Government and we are supporting the industry to develop and move in positive new directions, embracing new technology and advancements in research and development to put Wales at the forefront of food production.

“Food production is an important part of the Welsh economy and Wales offers a variety of quality products and I hope all of our partners will support the Welsh Government’s drive to promote these, including encouraging our partners to procure local food wherever possible.”

HCC chairman Dai Davies thanked the deputy minister for launching HCC’s new DVD "Feeding the Future" which promotes careers in the red meat industry.

"This is a crucial year for farming, with CAP reform and changes to future RDP programmes on the way. But thankfully, in our deputy minister, we have a safe pair of hands in charge of food and farming here in Wales.                                                                                                             

"He has worked hard not only here in Cardiff, but also in London and especially in Brussels where so many decisions that have a direct impact on the day to day life of ordinary farmers in Wales are taken.

"I hope that his approach to cut the best deal possible for farmers in Wales bears fruit."

From today breakfasts will also be held on a total of 10 farms in Caernarfonshire, Denbighshire and Flintshire and another at Bryncir livestock market’s cafe.

The Caernarfonshire breakfasts will be held on: Monday January 21 at Ty'n Hendre, Tal-y-bont, Bangor; Tuesday January 22 - Pant Eithinog, Penygroes; Wednesday January 23 - Glasfryn, Y Ffôr; Thursday January 24 - Bodwrdda, Aberdaron and Glyn Uchaf, Tynygroes, Conwy; Friday January 25 - Dylasau Uchaf, Padog and Caffi Anne's Cafe, Bryncir Mart.

Denbighshire breakfasts will be held on: Monday January 21 at Pontruffydd, Bodfari, Denbigh and at Ysgeibion Farm, Cyffylliog, Rhuthun and on Tuesday January 22 at Pen y Bryn, Maenan, Llanrwst.

The Flintshire breakfast will be held on Wednesday January 23 at Bach y Graig, Tremeirchion, St Asaph.

Anyone wishing to attend the farmhouse breakfasts should contact FUW's Caernarfonshire county office on 01286 672 541 or Denbigh and Flint county office on 01824 707 198.

Three influential speakers will address next week's annual general meeting of the Meirionnydd branch of the Farmers' Union of Wales.

FUW's Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones appealed for a strong representation of members from all parts of the county for the event which will take place at the Royal Ship Hotel, Dolgellau, on Friday January 25, commencing at 7.30pm.

He said today: "We have three excellent speakers this year in local MP Elfyn Llwyd, Dolgellau veterinary surgeon Iwan Parry and Menter a Busnes chief executive Alun Jones.

"The meeting will be an ideal opportunity to consider the future of the industry in the short and medium term," added Mr Jones who will make a presentation at the meeting on the union’s activities in the county during 2012.

Further details about the event can be obtained by contacting the FUW county office on 01341 422298 or by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Farmers' Union of Wales today slammed a leading supermarket chain for dropping a major Welsh lamb processing plant from its list of suppliers and putting hundreds of jobs under threat.

The union's president Emyr Jones said farmers were extremely concerned that Asda, a key customer of Welsh Country Foods at Gaerwen on Anglesey, had decided to source its lamb from an alternative supplier.

Mr Jones has written to Asda's chief executive Andy Clarke and the Welsh Government's deputy agriculture minister Alun Davies seeking urgent talks on the situation which "represents a severe blow for the local economy and the 350 members of staff working at the plant”.

Mr Jones said the announcement has wide-ranging repercussions for the Welsh food and farming industry as a whole and could have a major knock-on effect on the marketing of Welsh produce by Hybu Cig Cymru due to reduced levy payments in Wales.

He urged the Welsh Government to do all it can to help seek an equitable outcome for the sake of the island of Anglesey and the Welsh food and farming industry as a whole.

Mr Jones has called on Asda to reconsider its decision and seeks a meeting with Mr Clarke to discuss the issue which he will also raise at a pre-planned meeting in Cardiff with Mr Davies next Wednesday.

Anglesey beef and sheep farmer Dafydd Roberts, chairman of the FUW's livestock, wool and marts committee, said: “Welsh Country Foods is the only major processing facility for Welsh lamb in North Wales, handling 640,000 lambs per annum, and any loss of processing will therefore be a blow to the local economy and the community in Anglesey.

“Hopefully, discussions with Asda with lead to a change in their decision but if not then it will be imperative to attract new customers to the site. It is important that a negative impact on jobs and the local economy is minimised.”