The devastating impacts vast tree plantation plans can have on rural communities and Welsh culture were highlighted in a recent meeting between Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) members and Aberconwy MP Robin Millar.  

Hosting the meeting at their farm at Llechwedd Hafod in Cwm Penmachno were FUW Caernarfonshire County Executive Committee member Dafydd Gwyndaf and his wife Anwen. Mr Gwyndaf gave a presentation on how the Forestry Commission, as it was previously known, bought many of the farms on one side of the valley and planted trees on the land from the 1940’s to the 1960’s .  

“Afforestation has resulted in too many people leaving the area and has resulted in over 30% of the houses in the area being turned into second homes or AirBnB. It is having a detrimental effect on the community, it’s culture and consequently the Welsh language. The depopulation of Cwm Penmachno and Penmachno villages is living proof of the result of large-scale afforestation and we don’t want to see the same happening to other communities,” said Mr Gwyndaf. 

Anglesey beef and sheep farmer Gareth Thomas and Farmers’ Union of Wales officials have highlighted industry concerns, including climate change and future agricultural policies, at a recent meeting with local Member of the Senedd, Rhun ap Iorwerth. Gareth is the fifth generation to farm at Tregynrig Fawr, Cemaes Bay, Anglesey, a 620 acre holding. The family finishes off over 600 beef cattle annually and keep a flock of 200 sheep. All beef and lamb are sold to Morrisons. The family have also recently diversified into self-catering holiday accommodation.

The message on the day was clear - farmers want to work with the Government and all political parties to achieve the best possible outcome for the sector, the wider rural economy and the environment.

Speaking during the farm walk, Gareth Thomas said: “Welsh farmers have delivered positive environmental outcomes for the nation for centuries, and must be fairly rewarded for what they have already delivered, continue to deliver and will deliver in the future. Future targets must work alongside sustainable and viable food producing businesses, not against them, to ensure the environment continues to be managed appropriately.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales and FUW Insurance Services Ltd. highlighted and discussed the most critical issues affecting the agricultural industry through a series of webinars at the virtual Royal Welsh Show. 

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Last week was a busy one for the FUW team and we had an excellent presence at the virtual Royal Welsh Show. We hosted a variety of webinars ranging from the rural housing crisis, climate change, mental health, digital connectivity and farm safety - each and every one of them touched on crucially important issues for our industry.

“If you weren’t able to join them during the show week, they are available for you to watch in the members section of the FUW website and of course the Royal Welsh show events pages. I would like to thank all of our speakers for their excellent contributions and of course also the Royal Welsh Show for providing the platform so we could, against the odds, still bring a virtual show to everyone.”

During a special FUW webinar held during the virtual Royal Welsh show speakers from England and Wales highlighted a range of actions the Welsh and UK Government should take to tackle the acute rural housing crisis.

The webinar, which was chaired by Farmers Guardian Chief Reporter Abi Kay, heard from Cumbria MP Tim Farron; Gwynedd County Council Leader Dyfrig Siencyn and Nefyn Town Council leader Rhys Tudur.

The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated pressures on rural housing across the UK, causing rapid house-price inflation and placing rural houses even further beyond the financial reach of coastal and agricultural communities.

Former Liberal Democrat party leader Tim Farron told the webinar: “We can’t deny the evidence of our eyes, that excessive second home ownership in a community kills the community. I’ve talked to a range of estate agents around Cumbria, the best guess is something like 60-65% on average to up to 80% of all house sales in the last 15 months have been to the second home market.