Wales Farmer 8


DIARYdates June


4th: Gwynedd Welsh Pony &Cob Breeders Association summer show.


4th: Countryside Alliance Club (Wales) point-to-point races, Bonvilston, nr Cardiff.


7th-8th: BWMB blade shearing course, Ruthin.


8th: Royal Welsh Grassland Event, Pentre, Merthyr Cynog, Brecon.


9th: Caerwys Agricultural Show, Gatehouse Fields, Babell, Holywell.


9th: Aberystwyth &Ceredigion County Show, Gelli Angharad Fields, Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth, www.aberystwythshow.com.


10th: British Dressage, Marian Bach EC, Babell, nr Holywell.


15th-17th: Three Counties Show, Three Counties Showground, Malvern.


16th: Clwyd Welsh Pony &Cob Association summer Silver Medal show, Pydew Farm, Meliden, Prestatyn.


16th and 17th: Welsh Game Fair at Carmarthen Showground.


17th: Open Farm Sunday 2012. LEAF.


23rd: Ffos-y-Ffin Show, Aberaeron. Details: 01545 570914. www.ffosyffinshow.co.uk.


24th: Ceredigion WPCA Show.


28th: Wales &Border Counties hound show, Royal Welsh showground, Builth Wells.


30th: Ceredigion YFC celebratory dinner.


July


4th: NSA Sheep 2012, the industry’s biennial initiative, Three Counties Show Ground, Malvern.


5th-7th: Glanusk Country Fair & International Horse Trials, Glanusk Estate, Crickhowell, Powys.


7th: Llannefydd pony, sports, gymkhana &dog show, Denbighshire.


7th: North Wales Agricultural Show, Wern Ddu Fields, Bethel Rd, Caernarfon. www.caernarfonshow.com.


7th-8th: Chester Horse Driving 25th anniversary trials, Erddig, Wrexham. Lyn Walmsley.


12th: Berriew sheepdog trials (Open).


13th-14th: Llanrwst sheepdog trials (13th, Local; 14th, Open &2nd class).


14th: Newport Show, Chetwynd Deer Park, www.newportshow.co.uk.


14th: Betws yn Rhos sheepdog trials (Open, 2nd class &Doubles).


14th: Trefor Show, Gwynedd. Horses, sheep, vintage machinery, classic cars, flower arranging, stick making, crafts..


14th: Powys Horse Show, Nantmel Show Fields, off A44, Nantmel, Llandrindod Wells. Details: 07581 429245 or 01597 811848.


17th: Efail Newydd sheepdog trials.


19th-21st: Welsh National sheepdog trials, Henfron, Llandyssil, Montgomery. www.welshnationalsheepdogtrials. org.uk.


20th-22nd: CLA Game Fair, Belvoir Castle, nr Grantham, Leicestershire. www.gamefair.co.uk.


22nd: Singleton Show for Rare and Traditional Breeds, Weald &Downland Open Air Museum. www.wealddown.co.uk.


23th-26th: Royal Welsh Show, Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells.


27th-28th: Henryd &Llechwedd sheepdog trials (27th, Local; 28th, Open &2nd class).


27th-28th: Really Wild Food and Countryside Festival, St Davids, Pembrokeshire.


27th-28th: Rhes yCae &Moel yCrio Show, Flintshire.


28th: South Wales Shire &miniature horse show, Bailey Park, Abergavenny,


28th-29th: Chester Horse Driving Trials event, Mostyn Farm Ride, near Holywell. Lyn Walmsley.


29th: British Dressage, Marian Bach EC, Babell, nr Holywell.


THE RoyalWelsh Agricultural Society has playedaleading role in the devel- opment of agricultureand avibrant rural economyinWales formorethan acentury. Formed in 1904, the organisation’s


first showwas held in Aberystwyth thatyear. The society’sworkincludes provid-


ing support forbusiness,social welfare and education in rural communities, and the organisation and staging of ever-popular events; the Spring Festival, the Summer Showand the Winter Fair.


The society states its objectivesare:


■ To promote agriculture, horticul- ture, forestry and conservation.


■ To advance science,research and education in connection with these industries


■ To promote the improvement of livestock and the prevention and erad- ication of diseases in animals


■ To hold demonstrations of modern agricultural methods and processes


■ To hold shows forthe exhibition of livestock, poultry,farmand horticul- tural produce and forestry and to


WALES FARMER CONTACTS


Publisher: Mark Sainsbury mark.sainsbury@ walesfarmer.co.uk


Managing editor: Holly Robinson holly.robinson@ walesfarmer.co.uk


Farmer newsdesk: Anwen Humfrey 01437 761754 anwen.humfrey@ walesfarmer.co.uk Reporter: Debbie James 01646 661395 info@debbiejames media.com


Advertising: Sally Ward-Greenhow 01437 761798 sally.ward-greenhow@ walesfarmer.co.uk


● Interested in becoming a community farming correspondent? Email wfeditor@walesfarmer.co.uk or call 01437 761754 to find out more.


For the latest Wales farming news: walesfarmer.co.uk


accommodate demonstrations allied to rural industries.


The RoyalWelsh Showhas become


an important event in the Welsh calen- dar,attractingaround 230,000 people over the four days and supported by approximately18,146 staunch mem- bers. Today, the role of the modern Royal


Welsh Showisarounded one. As well as its principal function of


showcasing the cream of Welsh live- stock and the high quality food and drink produced in Wales,itencom-


passes the wider spectrum of farming and rural life and successfullybridges the gapbetween town and country. It provides something to interest


everyone through its kaleidoscopic range of activities including forestry, horticulture, crafts,countryside sports, and a12-hour programme of exciting entertainment thatcontinues through- out each of the four days of the event.


For more information on the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and its upcoming events visit www.rwas.co.uk.


We


want to hear from you


wfeditor


@walesfarmer .co.uk


SOCIETYspotlight OPINIONS By Debbie James


THE merits of growing genetically modified crops comes second only to culling badgers to control bovine TB in its power to provoke passionate debate. The community pressure group GM-Free Cymru has led the way in defending Wales from GM crop production while, sitting on the other side of the great divide, there is a strong farming lobby which would like the opportunity to trial this branch of technology. Crop scientists at one of Britain’s leading agricultural centres in Hertfordshire recently pleaded with anti-GM campaigners, including


Pembrokeshire organic farmer, Gerald Miles, to call off plans to trash afield trial of GM wheat. They invited the


protesters to discuss the work instead. Adialogue between the campaigners and the scientists would be an interesting exercise, provided it was not restricted only to the scientific pros and cons of GM foods. One of the most compelling arguments against GM food is the power it will give to giant corporations like Monsanto. National economies are guilty of playing into the hands of major corporations and it could lead to the food chain being controlled by a powerful minority. Those who oppose GM technology often describeit as untested. Well, why not give scientists the chance to


July 2012 Let’satleasttalk aboutthis


test it? Being opposed to GM is like being opposed to chemistry. Both are powerful methods for making changes that suit us. The time has come to discuss what changes we want, rather than vexing ourselves about which method is used to achieve them. If scientists are open to debate, and if they are not slaves to an aggressive industryseeking amonopoly on food production, then let’s talk and not act hastily. If precautions have been taken to stop the crop at Rothamsted Research in Hertfordshirecontaminating others, the results could prove extremely valuable.


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