With energy bills proving to be a major cost for farming enterprises the Farmers' Union of Wales has teamed up with a leading UK electricity and gas company to offer its members a dedicated account management service to give them best value prices.

The new service, provided by E.ON in partnership with the union's energy consultants Adamian Davis Meade, will be unveiled at the FUW's revamped pavilion alongside the main ring during next week's Royal Welsh Show.

The one-to-one account management service is intended to develop a close working relationship with members through farm visits timed to suit customers' needs and not confined to normal office or call centre hours.

"These fact-finding visits will be based on members' businesses, understanding their needs and delivering specific solutions," said FUW business development director Emyr James.

During discussions with the FUW, E.ON referred to one example of how the scheme had saved a farmer with two farms and a farmhouse hundreds of pounds.

"The company looked at the customer's bills, discussed how energy was being used and offered a fixed term contract to ensure pricing stability on the bills," said Mr James.

"An estimated annual saving of £1,400 (37%) was achieved based on the previous year's consumption. Energy consumption will be monitored over the coming months and if it's found the customer would benefit from a different tariff then they will replace the meters free of charge, resulting in further savings."

E.ON's head of SME direct sales Scott Dale said they will adopt a consultative approach with FUW members, providing honest and straightforward advice at all times and offer the customer a service based on their needs.

Details of the service will also be available from E.ON and Adamian Davis Meade representatives on the FUW stands at various county shows this summer.

Welsh-speaking assistance will be available during farm visits if the customer requests the meeting is conducted in Welsh.

The Farmers' Union of Wales today advised farmers to seek information about the Countryside Council for Wales' latest review of maps of open access to mountain, moor, heath, downland and registered common land in Wales during next week's Royal Welsh Show.

"Every ten years CCW is required by law to review these maps and the process began on Monday July 16 when they issued the draft maps of open country and registered common land in Wales," said FUW land use and parliamentary committee Gavin Williams.

"Landowners and anyone with an interest in these draft maps will be able to make representations to CCW who have informed us their staff will be in attendance on the their stand at Llanelwedd to answer farmers' questions and give advice.

"Discussions with landowners and all interested groups will be an essential part of the mapping review and CCW has announced they will be working closely with the farming unions, individual landowners and a wide range of walking and other user groups to ensure everyone gets an opportunity to have their say."

Representations can be submitted to CCW until the closing date on November 23 this year.

CCW will then issue All Wales provisional maps on August 7 2013 and the deadline for appeals applications to the Planning Inspectorate is November 7 2013.

The appeals process ends on May 9 2014 and CCW will issue the All Wales conclusive map on September 24 2014.

Meanwhile, general enquiries on the review can be obtained by calling 0845 1306229

A Welsh Government decision to appoint extra farm liaison officers to improve geographical coverage and provide more farmers with easy access to information and guidance was welcomed by the Farmers' Union of Wales today.

The intention to recruit additional Farm Liaison Service staff was one of a series of commitments delivered by deputy agriculture minister Alun Davies in a Working Smarter (Better Regulation) update.

"Farm liaison officers have provided crucial support to Welsh farmers during the past 10 years and we welcome the deputy minister's announcement that a recruitment drive for more officers is already underway," said FUW president Emyr Jones.

"The FUW has consistently called for less government red tape so we are pleased that written communication to farmers will also improve following the issuing of new guidance calling on staff to avoid using technical terminology and jargon.

"We welcome the deputy minister's announcement that the Welsh Government website now includes a helpful and easy to follow checklist to ease concerns and ensure that farmers are able to prepare properly for a cross compliance inspection.

"We also approve of his commitment to farmers that they will receive an explanatory letter when their Single Payment Scheme (SPS) payment does not arrive at the expected time - due to an outstanding query - so that they are able to plan their finances accordingly.

"The need for such changes has been highlighted by the FUW repeatedly over the years, particularly during meetings with Gareth Williams who compiled the Working Smarter recommendations."

The deputy minister's update is available on-line at:http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/farming/workingsmarter/workingsmartertable/?lang=en

The Farmers' Union of Wales - one of 12 organisations that have signed the On-Farm Health & Safety Charter for Wales - is joining forces with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Mid and West Wales Fire Service to get the health and safety message across to farmers at next week's Royal Welsh Show.

HSE and fire service staff will be in attendance at the FUW pavilion throughout the four days (July 23-26) of the show to provide advice and guidance to all those working in the agricultural industry.

Principal inspector for HSE in Wales Nick O'Connor said: "It is a sobering thought that although agriculture only represents about 1.4 per cent of the workforce, it accounts for up to 20 per cent of all reported work-related fatalities in Great Britain.

"It's important, though, to remember we still have one of the lowest rates of workplace deaths in Europe, but one death is still one too many.

"As we come to a busy time of year, and some may be tempted to take shortcuts, farmers need to spend time tackling the real dangers that they and their workers face.

"HSE invites farmers to visit them at the FUW pavilion so they can help them take sensible steps to control the health and safety risks in their business."