Wales Farmer APRIL 2014 NEWS


Farm education has to match industry needs


Review to help agricultural sector thrive


WALES’ agricultural edu- cation system is to be reviewed to find out if it matches the needs of the


farming industry. Professor Wynne Jones OBE,


a former principal and chief executive of Harper Adams Uni- versity College, has been com- missioned by the Welsh Govern- ment to scrutinise the farming and land-based learning deliv- ered by further education col- leges in Wales. The review will also examine the value of apprenticeships. Wales’ farm minister, Alun


Davies, believes education and training are at the foundation of his vision for a thriving agricul- ture industry. “One of the most important


By Debbie James


levers available to us in helping to ensure that outcome is through the provision of first-class train- ing and education to those within the industry as well as those cur- rently in education but planning to make farming their career of choice,” he said. “The review will be undertak-


en in the context of not only the future challenges the industry will face but also, importantly, the many opportunities that will be available to it.” Professor Jones will make rec- ommendations based on his find- ings and will submit his report to the Welsh Government by the end of April. “We consider that this work


will be of considerable help to us as we seek to further profession- alise the agricultural industry in Wales and help individual farm businesses become more prof- itable, more sustainable and less reliant on direct subsidy pay- ments that we know will reduce over time,” said Mr Davies.


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WRITING REPORT: Professor Wynne Jones will present his recommendations at the end of April.


Promoting Welsh farming in Europe


A VISIT to Brussels provided an “excellent opportunity” to pro- mote the interests of Wales in Europe and raise awareness of the benefits the agricultural industry in Wales receives from EUmembership. A delegation of Farmers’


Union of Wales leaders and Meirionnydd members received a presentation by Wales MEP Jill Evans and a breakfast at the EU headquarters showcased the quality of Welsh farmproduce. The delegation held meetings


with head of European affairs at the WelshGovernmentEUoffice Dr Robert Parry and rural policy adviser and deputy head of office Andrew Aggett, together with Foreign and Commonwealth Office second secretary, agricul- ture, Rhys Jackson. “Our discussions provided an


excellent opportunity for dele- gates to question the latest posi- tion on issues such as sheep EID, funding to tackle TB, and to seek


PICTURE: Debbie James.


clarification on the financial dis- cipline of a 2.45% deduction from Single Farm Payments in 2013 to create an emergency fund,”saidFUWpresidentEmyr Jones.


BRUSSELS GROUP: The FUW delegation with MEP Jill Evans. Jill Evans said: “I was delight-


ed to host this visit by the FUW which provided a good showcase for Welsh produce and led to some very useful discussions. “Plaid Cymru believes that the


farming industry is crucial to the economy and needs a viable and sustainable long term future. We voted against the cuts in the EU budget because it meant cuts in the money coming to Wales.”


Search is on to find top grassland farmer


THE search is on to find the UK’s top grassland farmer. The British Grassland Society


is looking for entries from mem- bers or members of local grass- land societies fromacross theUK for its annual ‘UK Grassland Farmer of the Year’ competition,


sponsored byDLFTrifolium and GrowHowUKLtd. The competition rewards


farmers who demonstrate overall excellence in grassland manage- ment, as well as profitable and sustainable farming practices. Each of the 67 local grassland


societies can nominate a member they think is using their grass in an interesting and sustainable way, to go forward to be judged in the regional round. Winners of local silage competitions are also eligible to enter. As well as the title of BGSUK


Grassland Farmer of the Year, the overall winner also receives a trophy and a cheque for £500. For full details of the competi- tion, how to enter,


visit


www.britishgrassland.com or contact Rachel Greenow at BGS rachel@britishgrassland.com.


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


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