[caption id="attachment_3668" align="aligncenter" width="513"] Top, from left, Aled Jones, Emyr Jones, Keith Davies and David Miles. Bottom, New FUW Carmarthenshire county chairman Catherine Nakielny is flanked by her vice chairman Brian Richards, left, and outgoing chairman Ian Rickman.[/caption]

The Welsh Government's decision to vaccinate rather than cull badgers led to a lively debate during the annual general meeting of Farmers' Union of Wales' Carmarthenshire branch.

A panel of speakers including FUW president Emyr Jones, Llanelli's Labour AM Keith Davies, National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs and Wales YFC senior member of the year Aled Jones and Proper Welsh Milk director David Miles were asked if the Badger Protection Act was used more as a "Politician Protection Act".

"The question created a heated lively debate with Mr Davies given a rough time," said FUW's Carmarthenshire county executive officer Meinir Bartlett.

"Members unanimously believed that the Government had taken the safer, softer option by giving in to the Badger Trust rather than listening to scientific reports and results.

"Those present believed that farmers should use the same tactics as the Badger Trust and show photographs and clippings of cattle being slaughtered and the dramatic effect it has on family farms."

The panel was also asked if the creation next April of a new single body following the merger of Environment Agency Wales, Countryside Council for Wales and Forestry Commission Wales was a "recipe for cooperation and streamlining of regulations, or a recipe for disaster".

"There was unanimous concern on how successful the amalgamated body would be," said Mrs Bartlett.

"It was believed that it was a cost cutting exercise which had been rushed though. Often the aims and ideals of the Countryside Council for Wales do not match with those of the other two bodies."

Panel members were asked if the lack of enthusiasm by the UK Government for larger farmer cooperatives accounted for the apparent lack of interest of farmers towards coops and whether they endorsed the proposed merger of Arla Foods and Milk Link.

"The panel believed the merger of Arla Foods and Milk Link was excellent news and could be complimentary to the dairy sector. It was believed that a large cooperative should have the strength and knowledge to deal with supermarkets.

"Members also expressed concern that the Government could decide that the merger would create too large a cooperative and believed it vital that any profit made should be returned to producers."

Much discussion took place in response to the question: How much authority would you give to the proposed supermarket ombudsman?

Mrs Bartlett added: "Other sectors are overseen by Ofcom/Oftel who ensure customers are treated fairly and they check profit margins.

"It was suggested that the same power should be available to a supermarket ombudsman, who should be robust and able to govern marketing techniques etc.

"Concern was expressed that it could have little effect on the dairy industry, as it is the 'middleman' who makes the profit."

A full-blown debate took place in response to the question: Is sufficient assistance being given to encourage young people to enter and remain in the farming industry?

"It was suggested that the current Young New Entrant Scheme provided insufficient encouragement and assistance," said Mrs Bartlett. "The balance payment or funding expected from an individual is out of reach for many.

"Also, selling off council farms was certainly not the way forward. It was believed that the availability of land and the cost of land is a major obstacle and, therefore, share farming should be encouraged with more assistance and advice given on succession in farming.

"It was further suggested by some members that decoupling of payment had not been beneficial to farmers."

[caption id="attachment_3664" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Alwyn Roberts checks the turbine’s meter readings at the farmhouse.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3665" align="aligncenter" width="321"] FUW president Emyr Jones, centre, Alwyn Roberts, right, and his father Gareth in front of the wind turbine on their farm[/caption]

Farmers' Union of Wales president Emyr Jones and other union officials have visited a Snowdonia farm to see how a small scale wind turbine helps generate power for the National Grid and ensures the farm is almost self-sufficient for its electricity requirements.

Rhydycriw farm, Llanegryn, near Tywyn, has been in FUW member Alwyn Roberts's family since 1943 and now holds 27 cattle, mainly Welsh Black, and 24 followers, as well as 350 Aberdale sheep, 200 Welsh Mountain sheep, 90 Aberdale ewe lambs and 40 Welsh Mountain ewe lambs.

The 300-acre family farm run by third generation farmer Mr Roberts and his wife Karen is now almost energy self-sufficient after the installation of a 5 kW wind turbine.

It is the first time planning permission for a wind turbine on a hillside location has been granted within Snowdonia National Park.

The new MCS accredited Evance R9000 turbine will produce on average 12 to 14 thousand kilowatt hours a year for the Roberts family and will reduce the farm's carbon footprint by around five tonnes of CO2 per annum.

"On average the family household uses seven to nine thousand kilowatt hours of energy per year, not including what is used on the farm. By installing the wind turbine we are now almost energy self-sufficient and can also sell energy back to the National Grid," said Mr Roberts.

"We spent around £32,000 to complete the project but it will generate an extra income of about £5,000 a year from the renewable energy we feed back into the National Grid.

"I have been thinking about using green energy on the farm for some time and two years ago I visited an open day organised by Organic Centre Wales and it became clear that wind power was the best option for our location.

"The planning process was fairly frustrating, which is why I can only advise those who are thinking of investing in renewable energy to get professional advice and support to guide them through the planning process.

"We are very thankful that we had the professional assistance of small-scale wind turbine installer Paul Burrell whose expertise in managing the entire planning process on our behalf was invaluable. Especially as we are in a more sensitive and protected area.

"Another point which influenced my decision to invest in renewable energy is the uncertainty of the farming industry at the moment, so it is vital to look at other forms of income and diversify.

"A lot of wind sites in the UK are foreign owned, which is why we need to make sure that we protect our assets or else we lose them.

"Renewable energy is supported by both the Welsh and UK governments but interpretations of policy from local governments and other organisations can make the process incredibly complicated. Perseverance is key in projects like this," added Mr Roberts.

Mr Burrell, of Machynlleth-based Anemos Renewables LLP, said: "There are three financial benefits from installing a wind turbine. Firstly, you will be paid a fixed rate for every unit of electricity that you generate over the next 20 years, the prices for which are Retail Price Index linked.

"Secondly, any electricity you don't use can be exported to the National Grid with an additional payment for every kWh that you export, in addition to the generation tariff.

"Thirdly, as the electricity from your turbine is being generated by the wind, the power can be used in your home or business so your electricity bills will be substantially reduced.

"Location is very important for wind turbines. It has to be a good unobstructed site to make sure you get maximum performance from the turbine.

"National Parks are always sensitive areas but we picked a great location for Alwyn's turbine that hides the turbine very well from view but still is able to access the wind and capture its maximum potential," added Mr Burrell.

After visiting the site of the wind turbine at Rhydycriw farm, Mr Jones said: "Renewable energy is something well worth considering these days and I can only congratulate Alwyn on his success with the wind turbine."

The high quality of local farm produce will be highlighted on the Farmers' Union of Wales stand during next week's Urdd National Eisteddfod at Coleg Meirion Dwyfor's Glynllifon campus near Caernarfon.

Maps will show the wide range of produce and all the varying attractions and opportunities for people on farms within Caernarfonshire in line with the FUW's "I Love Welsh Food" campaign.

The stand will also feature cooking demonstrations by Llithfaen producers of free range pedigree Welsh pork products Oinc Oink, by Arfon MP Hywel Williams on three days and also by Gerwyn Williams, the owner and chef of the Tannery, Llanrwst who will be using local produce to cook a meal for Conwy MP Guto Bebb.

There will also be a farm produce word search competition held every day from Monday to Thursday (June 4-7) with exciting prizes including Samsung PL121 cameras, Aqua Blue Nintendo 3DS with Mario game and case, and an iPod Touch 8GB with docking station and case.

On Friday and Saturday (June 8-9) there will be an opportunity for visitors to answer questions about the county's agricultural industry for the chance to win a Kindle Touch and case, and a mobile phone. All the competitions have been sponsored by Wynnstay agricultural suppliers, Davis Meade, Gamlins Solicitors, British Wool Marketing Board, Sterling Independent Advisers and W H Evans, Felin Llecheiddior.

The stand is set to be a hive of activity throughout the week for visitors of all ages with exhibitions of the producce used to make animal feed by Meurig Huws, of Wynnstay, and different products produced from wool by British Wool Marketing Board.

A warm welcome and a cup of tea awaits everyone on the colourful stand decorated with flowers kindly donated by Bryncir Garden Centre.

Among other competitions being held throughout the week are colouring for children, for which the prizes will be a ride-on Big Red Tractor or ride-on Big Blue Tractor, sponsored by Emyr Evans, of Gaerwen and Denbigh, and Menai Tractors, of Llanwnda.

By filling in an FUW/BT questionnaire, visitors will also have the chance to win a phone and answerphone for the home or office and members from Eryri YFC Federation will be face painting. Children will also have an opportunity to listen to Tecwyn the Tractor author Margiad Roberts reading stories about the popular character.

There's also an opportunity to win various prizes by "milking" Seren - the life-sized model of a dairy cow loaned by Aberystwyth University's Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences - to see how much milk you can get into a bucket in 30 seconds, and by guessing how many farm animals there are in a bottle.

Sponsors of the week's activities from the FUW Insurance Services team are: BIBU Insurance Services, Rural Insurance Services and Farmweb Insurance Services.

The Farmers' Union of Wales today urged farmers to check if any of their land is to be listed as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) following the Welsh Government's recent review of the Nitrates Directive in Wales.

"After consideration of consultation responses to the review and recommendations by the Environment Agency, the Welsh Government has decided which areas they are minded to designate as NVZs in Wales," said Anglesey farmer Gavin Williams, chairman of the FUW's land use and parliamentary committee.

"These designations will either designate land which has not previously been designated or continue an existing designation. Anyone wishing to appeal against the designation must do so no later than Monday July 9."

This weekend the Welsh Government is writing to farmers identified as likely to own or occupy land that falls within a proposed NVZ.

The letters warn that if they are not the sole owner and occupier of the land, they must bring the letter to the attention of any other owner or occupier so that they can consider whether to appeal against the proposed designation.

Detailed maps showing the proposed NVZs can be viewed on the Environment Agency website at:

http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?ep=maptopics&lang=_e

Alternatively, maps and supporting information can be obtained from the Environment Agency by calling 03708 506 506.

Anyone who believes their land does not drain to water identified as polluted and/or the water the land drains to should not be designated as polluted can appeal against the proposed designation.

Information regarding the appeals process and an appeals application form can be found on the Planning Portal website at:http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/countryside/environmental/nitrate?language=wa

This information can also be requested from The Planning Inspectorate by calling 02920 823866.