Wales Farmer 18 NEWS


NFU Cymru has met the chairman of new organisation Natural Resources Wales (NRW). The newbodywill take over the func-


tions of the Countryside Commission for Wales, Environment Agency Wales and Forestry Commission Wales in April. Speaking after the meeting, NFU Cymru president Ed Baileysaid:


“Decisions and the approach taken by NRW will affect our members’ liveli- hoods and we were keen to followupour responses to the consultation on its set- ting up with aface-to-face meeting with the man at the helm. We were encouraged to hear that Professor Peter Mathews sees the role of the board, which will be made up of 10 people, as ensuring that the


right resources and attitudes are in place to allowthe staff to do their job well. This will make sure that the Living Wales pro- gramme proceeds in the right direction. “Asweunderstand it, the board intends


to work in partnership with Welsh Gover- nment butatthe same time will be setting out aclear demarcation of responsibilities. “It is important that theylook at new


Welcome for inquiry into sky lanterns


AN independent inquiry is to be commissioned in Wales to identify the way sky lanterns affect ani-


mals and the environment. The Welsh Government has announced it is putting out a tender foraninvestigation into skylanterns,also known as Chinese lanterns,and their effect on livestock. NFU Cymru has lobbied end-


lesslyfor aban on the sale and release of these lanterns.Its president,EdBailey,said the union wasdelighted thatthe government had tendered for this study. “I very much hope the study


Pasture markof approval


ANEWorganisation which cham- pions the virtues of raising and finishing stock solelyongrass and conserved forages,isupand run- ning and welcoming members. The Pasture-Fed Livestock


Association (PFLA), has devel- oped aset of standards which define the pasture-fed system for beef and sheep,and registered the Pastoral ‘pasture-fed forlife’ trademark. Producers whose systems meet


the standards can markettheir meatunder this brand. PFLA chairman John Meadley


said: “Wewant to help beef and lamb producers looking to cut costs,orkeen to produce more meatfrompasture. “Wehaveanactive internet dis-


cussion forum and emerging regional groups thatsharetheir experiences and knowledge of pas- toral farming.” Kate Phillips,national account


manager forEnsors Ltd, an abat- toir based in Gloucestershire, has alreadyprocured PFLA approved cattle –with beef going on to retail in butchers’ shops in London and Bristol. “Thereisnodoubt thatcattle


can be finished offatpasture–as long as the right breed is used and the grass managed well,”saysMs Phillips.“The pasture-fed ones we have handled so far have certainly come up to spec.” Farmers can join the PFLA for


£50. Formoreinformation go to www.pasturefed.org.


By Debbie James


will provide the evidence base needed to introduce aban,’’ he said. Skylanterns arepopular at


outdoor social events,including weddings,parties and barbecues. But when they come down in fields they can kill livestock. “Inevitablywhatgoes up must


come down and when alantern lands in afield, all too often their wireframes end up being chopped up into small pieces when grass is cut forsilage,’’said Mr Bailey. “And unfortunatelylivestock


will end up eating fragments of the wirefromthe lantern, which


has found its wayinto the silage the animals arefed. “If swallowed, the wirecan


puncturethe stomach lining, causing extreme pain and in some cases it can be fatal to the animal.” The wirepart of the frame


can get entangled around an ani- mal’sfoot and become embed- ded in the skin, which also caus- es unnecessary pain and distress. Skylanterns also pose aseri-


ous risk when they land in afield of crops or straw,orevenworse, if they come down near astraw or haybarn thatcan ignite. Farmers and farming unions, including the NFU,havebeen campaigning forDEFRA to


BAN CALL: NFU Cymru has clear views on sky lanterns.


impose aban on the lanterns. Mr Bailey added: “Of course


fire risk is not confined to agri- culture, and lanterns area potential source of ignition for anysort of building or com- bustible material. “It is also worth noting that skylanterns also give rise to


problems not directlyrelated to agriculture, forexample the coastguards areconcerned about the tendency of lanterns to be mistaken fordistress flares,and thereare also worries about their potential to disrupt air trafficif released near airfields. “While ultimatelyIwould like


to see government banning the sale and release of these lanterns,aban maystill be some time away. “In the meantime,and in light


of the potential risks,Iwould urge members of the public not to purchase or release these lanterns.”


Rural transport costs ‘strain on delivering milk scheme’


NURSERYmilk provision in rural areas could come under strain because of higher costs,a Welsh MP has said. Speaking in adebateonthe


Government’sconsultation on delivering the Milk Nursery Scheme


across the UK,


Ceredigion MP MarkWilliams highlighted the additional chal- lenges faced in rural areas –par- ticularly the higher costs of distribution. Dairy UK’sresponse to the consultation highlighted the coun- ty as an area thatcould be at adis- advantage due to the additional costs. Mr Williams said: “I visited a


local nursery in Aberystwyth on WorldMilk Dayand sawtherethe nutritional benefits to young chil- dren of having adailymorning milk break. It is important that children in Ceredigion do not miss out because they live in arural location. “The fact thatCeredigion was highlighted in Dairy UK’sconsul- tation response as an area which could be disadvantaged is areal concern, and Ihope the Government


considers the


responses to this consultation very carefullybeforedeciding on the arrangements formilk provision across the UK. “I wasalso pleased thatthe


minister,inhis response to the concerns raised in the debate, acknowledged the importance of ensuring the price of milk is fair forfarmers.”


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


ways of working, recognising not just the environmental arena butalso the econom- ic and business constraints within which the farming industry has to operate. “While we recognise the regulatory


role the NRW will have, it is important that help and guidance is available to help individuals to avoid breaches.” Mr Baileysaid NFU Cymru washop-


February 2013 NFU outlines hopes for new natural resources body


ing to see astrong focus on flood risk management and acommitment to look at whether projects such as hydroelectric schemes were appropriate to Wales. “Influencing and getting the buy-in


from staff will be keyinachieving this through acan-do attitude lookingfor ways to overcome barriers rather than creating them,”MrBaileyadded.


MILK WORRY: Mark Williams MP visited St Padarns Playgroup in Aberystwyth for World Milk Day.


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