This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Wales Farmer 4 NEWS February 2013


Things are looking up


AS FARMERS in the Welsh uplands battle through a winter without adedicat- ed financial support pro- gramme, anew report says there must be renewed focus on improv- ing the productivity of agriculture and wood-


lands in these regions. Areport commissioned by the


Welsh Government and pub- lished on December 13th says a newapproach is needed to increase income opportunities in Wales’ most challenging country- side.


The ‘Unlocking the Potential


of the Uplands’ report outlines five keyareas wheretargeted sup- port is required to promote the futuresustainability of the


By Debbie James


region. They are: Optimising pro- ductivity; optimising land use; economic development; access to services; and enabling vibrant uplands. Wales’ deputy farming minis-


ter,Alun Davies,admits the uplands face pressures and chal- lenges which threaten their future. “This report sets out howthe


Welsh government and partners can meet those challenges in order to secureavibrant, sustain- able futurefor the uplands,” he said.


This winter therewill be no


dedicated Less Favoured Area (LFA) support payment in place and, combined with high feed costs and adepressed lamb mar- ket, farmbusiness areunder


severe pressure. The farming unions have wel-


comed the content of the report, which includes arecommenda- tion forincluding the uplands in futuretourism plans and nation- al marketing campaigns. The president of the Farmers’


Union of Wales (FUW), Emyr Jones,described the uplands as the physical, cultural and eco- nomic backbone of Wales. “The emphasis on the impor-


tance of maintaining food pro- duction and grazing livestock is welcome,asisthe proposal to introduce support in areas of nat- ural constraint,”hesaid. Mr Jones added: “Vast num-


bers rely on these areas economi- cally, sociallyand, of course,for their recreation which itself brings economic benefits. “The keyindustries in Wales’


The future’s bright for David


THE NEW chairman of the FutureFarmers of Wales is Bridgend College Agriculturelec- turer David John. David, aged 33, is also afarmer


and aformer farmmanager at the Amelia Trust CareFarmnear Cardiff. He said: “My studies at Aberystwyth and the knowledge and experience Ihavegained from the FutureFarmers of Wales visits and studytours have helped me immenselyinmycareer and grow- ing agricultural business. “Aschairman Iwish to build on


the success of the club and ensure we continue to gather the best of futureWelsh farmers together and sharebest practice and innovative ideas.” The FutureFarmers of Wales is


an elite industry ‘think tank’ and is to invite members of the Welsh Government’sAgri-Academyto join the club. Members of the First Milk


Development Group,which includes twoformer Future Farmers of Wales chairmen, will also be invited to join the organisa- tion, as will those involved in the Young Members Forum of the RoyalWelsh Agricultural society.


❑ In the hotseat: New chairman David John.


uplands arelikethe legs of a stool –ifone of the legs is taken away,the whole lot will come crashing down.” NFU Cymru said the recom-


mendation foratargeted package of support within the Wales RuralDevelopment Plan was particularly welcome. John Owen, whochairs the


union’s LFAboard, described this as crucial to maintaining the viability of the uplands. He said: “A viableand prof-


itable upland farming industry delivers on anumber of wider social, economic and cultural activities –this is in addition to its role in food production and protection and enhancement of the environment and we are pleased thatthis is aviewthathas been shared by the forum and published in this newreport.”


The six recommendations in the report are:


1. Develop atargeted programme of support in the uplands linking with Welsh Government priorities for economic growth, jobs, social inclusion and tackling poverty.


2. Develop atargeted package of support through the next Rural Development Plan.


3. Consider anew approach to optimising land management to ensure that opportunities for increasing income to the uplands, securing the natural and cultural heritage of the area, and benefiting Welsh society more widely are capitalised on across the range of products and services delivered by the uplands.


4. Arenewed focus on the productivity of agriculture and woodlands in the uplands.


5. Increase awareness of what the uplands can offer in terms of food, farming, nature, recreation, landscape and culture. Ensuring the uplands are included in future strategic tourism plans and national marketing campaigns.


6. Develop locally-based and community-run services to meet local needs.


DVD offers youngsters some food for thought


ANEW DVDhas been released to help recruit the next genera- tion of talented youngsters to the farming and food industries in Wales. Feeding the Future–Careers


in the RedMeatIndustry has been produced by HybuCig Cymru-MeatPromotion Wales (HCC), in association with Careers Wales.Itincludes ten real-life case studies encompass- ing awide range of careers which include farmer,auctioneer,labo- ratory technician and vet. HCC chairman Dai Davies


said: “It’simportant foryoung people to realise thatthereare a wide range of careers availableto them in the Welsh redmeat industry. “Wewant to encouragethe brightest and the best of our young people to join this corner- stone of the Welsh economy, which earns Wales morethan a billion pounds ayear.” The DVDand its companion


web-based chapters depict aset of success stories to inspireanew generation of young people to join those currentlyputting Welsh food on the worldstage. Introduced by the deputy min-


ister foragricultureand food, Alun Davies,the DVDfeatures successful retail butcher Ieuan Edwards,


founder of the


EdwardsofConwy brand; vet- erinary surgeon Eleri Jones; auc- tioneer John Eirian Davies; breeding expert Arwel Owen; food laboratory manager Llinos Thomas; processor project work- er Chris Jones; export sales spe- cialist Katie Smith; livestock industry liaison manager Alison Jones,and father and son farm- ers Rhys and Dyfan Jenkins. The bilingual DVD, produced


with the support of the Rural Development Plan forWales, waslaunched by Alun Davies. He said: “This DVDwill be a


valuabletool to inspireanew generation of young people to


forgeacareer in this important industry.” The DVDwill be issued free to


schools and also contains a detailed, easy-read guide to tell thosekeen to followuptheir interest howtotakethe next steps towardsjoining the indus- try.The individual story strands will also be broadcast through the HCC and Careers Wales websites,aswell as on YouTube. On behalf of HCC,Dai


Davies thanked the deputy min- ister and his stafffor their sup- port, Careers Wales and its staff fortheir advice and help,and other stakeholders whocon- tributed to the DVD. “In particular,Iwant to thank


the participants who, in afew wordsand ashort space of time, conveyedtheir personal passion, dedication and determination and demonstrated just whythe redmeatindustry in Wales has such promising prospects forthe future,”added Dai Davies.


Email your news and pictures to: wfeditor@walesfarmer.co.uk For the latest Wales farming news: walesfarmer.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28