26 Farming


THE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 27 2017


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EIDCymru’s positive response LESLEY GRIFFITHS, Cabinet THIS last week has been a


turbulent one for the agricultural industry, with Brexit plan announcements and trade deal wish- lists dominating the news. And whilst we welcomed


more clarity on what position the UK Government is taking in their negotiations and the recognition of the role devolved administrations such as Wales should play in planning for our departure from the European Union, there are still many questions to be asked. The FUW has long argued that


devolution should be respected within an overarching UK support framework in the context of making our withdrawal from the European Union. Because irrespective of what trade deals are in place post-Brexit, within the UK, Welsh farmers will compete against their counterparts in other devolved regions. We therefore need a common framework across the UK which minimises unfair competition and market distortion. Yes, there are opportunities to be


taken advantage of and we now have the opportunity to shape a brand new future for our sector but we must not be blind to the potential perfect storm that is brewing right in front of us. The prospect of a free trade deal with New Zealand, which may be a great opportunity for New Zealand but the benefits for the UK as a whole are zero, and for agriculture are extremely negative, and losing potential continental markets brings with it a whole lot of questions to which we need answers to. The good news is that we have had assurances from Welsh Government


that they are taking the vulnerable position our food producers could find themselves in into account but what we need is a UK wide commitment to agriculture. With this in mind, a UK agricultural


framework should be put in place which prevents unfair competition between devolved regions and secures and protects adequate long term funding for agriculture, while also respecting devolved powers over agriculture. The FUW will continue in its


close working relationship with the UK and Welsh Government to find solutions to the problems agriculture is facing and work together to exploit the opportunities that present themselves to us.


On a brighter note, we have been


celebrating Farmhouse Breakfast week all of this week and all across Wales our members have filled the air with mouth- watering smells of freshly cooked breakfast produce. These breakfasts are always a great opportunity to bring everyone together over good food and have some constructive talks about how we can safeguard the future of agriculture here in Wales. And it was also an opportunity


to promote the quality premium local produce that farmers grow for us every day of the year and we put the spotlight on the importance of our rural economy, which is sustained by our farmers and the businesses that rely on them. So, I would like to thank everyone


who has supported us throughout Farmhouse Breakfast week and hope you all enjoyed sharing your thoughts with us over good food around the kitchen table.


Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, has welcomed the farming industry’s positive response to the new electronic sheep movement reporting system for Wales, EIDCymru, a year after its introduction. Nearly 3,000 keepers have registered


onto the system since it was introduced last year and all active livestock markets, abattoirs, collection and assembly centres in Wales are reporting movements electronically to EIDCymru. EIDCymru was developed alongside


the industry to provide farming in Wales with a modern and resilient movement reporting and traceability system for sheep. Since its launch, over 22.5 million


sheep and goats' movements have been recorded on the system. Stakeholders continue to be fully involved to ensure the system remains as user friendly as possible


and to deliver maximum benefits for the industry and for government. The most recent enhancements include the addition of the online Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory form. The Cabinet Secretary said:


“EIDCymru has been developed with the interests of the sheep industry at its heart and demonstrates our commitment to help modernise farming practices and procedures. “During a recent visit to Welshpool


livestock market, I was able to experience electronic reporting first hand and the benefits it provides. This system allows sheep movements to be traced in a modern and resilient way, allowing a quick and effective response to any disease outbreak. “I would like to thank HCC who


operate the EIDCymru service for their continued work in achieving a high level of uptake since its introduction.”


Meanwhile, NFU Cymru is reminding


farmers that the 2017 Annual Sheep and Goat Inventory forms must be returned by Wednesday (Feb 1). The form is a legal requirement


and must be returned by no later than Wednesday to avoid an increased risk of being selected for an inspection. The form should include the number of sheep and goats of which the farmer is the registered keeper, by CPH location, on January 1, 2017. Farmers must also record the number of sheep and goats on January 1 in their on- farm flock record to avoid a potential cross- compliance penalty. NFU Cymru Livestock Board


Chairman Wyn Evans said: “Farmers should have received the forms by January 1, 2017 and with a relatively short time period left to get the inventory form completed, I would urge all sheep and goat keepers to prioritise this work.”


Progress in post-Brexit food name talks HYBU CIG CYMRU - MEAT


PROMOTION WALES (HCC) Chief Executive Gwyn Howells has welcomed progress in talks in Westminster aimed at securing food name protection, currently enjoyed by Welsh Lamb, Welsh Beef and other premium brands, following Brexit. Members of the UK Protected


Food Name (PFN) Association met Agriculture Minister George Eustice at Defra headquarters in London this week to discuss what would happen to foods currently protected by EU law. Food and drink industry


executives from as far afield as Cornwall, Kent, Jersey, Shetland and Anglesey, representing industries worth hundreds of millions of pounds in exports, were unanimous in wishing to see an equivalent scheme passed into UK law, to guarantee the brands’ protection aſter Brexit. “Te PGI status enjoyed by


Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef place our products in the same category as


premium goods such as Champagne,” said HCC’s Gwyn Howells. “As well as protecting our meat


against imitation and giving customers confidence in its authenticity and traceability, the PGI status has been a cornerstone of marketing efforts which have seen lamb exports rise from £57 million in 2004 to £133 million in the space of a decade.” Mr Howells added: “I was pleased


to hear the Minister confirm that the government would work to introduce an equivalent scheme in UK law which would allow Welsh Beef, Welsh Lamb and other protected foods to retain their status in the same way as other non-EU goods such as Colombian Coffee. “A seamless transition is what's


needed to ensure continuity in marketing efforts in Britain, Europe and beyond. I look forward to Defra continuing to work on the replacement scheme, along with the PFN Association and the devolved governments.”


WITH the new US President


being inaugurated last Friday (Jan 20), Wales’ red meat industry is looking forward to continued good progress towards opening up the American market to lamb and beef products; a market which could be worth £20 million a year. The American market has been


closed to lamb from Britain for many years; however, work has been ongoing for a decade to re-establish the trade by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), working alongside the Welsh and UK Governments. HCC visited the US Department


of Agriculture in January 2014 in the company of Welsh Ministers, and welcomed USDA delegations to Wales last year. “The United States Government


HCC Chief Executive Gwyn


Howells: Welcomed Westminster talks aimed at securing food name protection


Meat industry looks to USA


held a consultation last year on bringing its rules on animal health in line with other countries, which is essential for red meat exports to resume,” said HCC’s Market Development Manager, Rhys Llywelyn. “This was positive progress, and something we hope to see continue under the new US Administration.” “Recent market research has


shown us that there is an excellent potential demand for high-quality PGI Welsh Lamb in the American market – particularly in retailers and food service clients on the east coast,” added Rhys. “There’s still some way to go, but HCC will continue to work with the whole of the red meat industry in Wales to be ready for when the opportunity to export to the USA arises."


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