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THE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 20 2017


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Farmers meet regional AM


realised if there is political support for trade policies which reduce imports from all other countries. “Complicating such perceived


benefits is the seasonality of production, and the degree to which sectors rely on exporting certain types of products and cuts (‘quarters’) which do not generally appeal to UK consumers in order to balance carcass and product value. “This is a particular concern for the


(L-R): Meinir Owen, Eluned Morgan and Dewi Owen MID Wales’ farmers recently


came to share some of their thoughts and concerns about the industry, given the uncertainty created by the UK’s decision to leave the European Union for the sector. They were joined by Labour AM for


Mid and West Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan at Esgairgyfela, Aberdyfi, which is run by Dewi Owen and his wife Meinir. The visit provided an opportunity


to discuss the importance of continued access to the Single Market and farmers expressed their fear of the possibility of facing tariffs when exporting produce to the EU, as well as their concern about


what support agriculture can expect once the UK leaves the EU. Farmers’ Union of Wales Finance


and Organisation Committee delegate Dewi Owen, whose farm extends to approximately 280 acres and is home to 400 Welsh Mule Ewes and 10 Pedigree Charolais Cattle, said: “Tariff- free access to EU markets is essential, particularly for the Welsh sheep sector and we reinforced that message when we met with Eluned Morgan here at the farm. “The FUW has and will continue


to highlight that post-Brexit imports to the UK should be subject to genuine equivalence in terms of environmental


Meirionnydd farmers: Stressing the importance of tariff-free access to the EU market


and animal health standards and any agreement which allows free access to UK markets for EU agricultural produce must be accompanied by financial support for UK producers equivalent to the support received by EU farmers. “It absolutely vital that governments


also proactively support UK food and farming through their own procurement policies, and by ensuring competition rules favour rather than disadvantage UK industries.” Talking about trade, FUW members


highlighted that for agriculture, membership of the Customs Union has meant significant protection from non-EU food imports, increased competition from produce from other Member States, and unfettered access to EU markets – all within a single farm support framework and system of common rules. Huw Jones, FUW Meirionnydd


Tariff-free access to EU markets is essential, particularly for the Welsh sheep sector: Meirionnydd farmers meet with Labour AM for Mid and West Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan


County Executive Officer, said: “We further discussed possible future trading relationships with the rest of the world in a post-Brexit era and the danger of seeing increased competition from larger economies with lower animal welfare, food safety and environmental standards. “Most concerning for our farmers


are proposals by senior politicians from across the political spectrum to increase


imports of cheap food from countries with environmental, animal health, and in some cases human rights standards which fall well short of those legally required in the UK.” Members of the Union stressed


that such policies would not only have a severe detrimental impact on UK agriculture and rural communities such as those found in Meirionnydd, but would also lead to an overall increase in environmental degradation and a fall in animal welfare standards – both issues on which the UK electorate has strong views. Mr Jones added that the loss of


close and relatively affluent continental markets, and the degree to which these can be realistically replaced by markets which are much further afield, given the costs, logistics and reality of gaining similar access to alternative, by definition more distant markets is a real concern. “Superficially, trade balance figures


suggest that leaving the EU’s free trade area may benefit some products through the removal of imported produce. However, such benefits could only be


Welsh sheep sector, where production is necessarily extremely seasonal and includes a significant proportion of lighter lambs (around 15%) for which there is little domestic demand, and exports to the continent of certain cuts and offal make up a significant proportion of carcass value for the same reason,” added Mr Jones. Union officials and members also


discussed the recent consultations on bovine TB, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, the importance of Agri Environment schemes to a county such as Meirionnydd, the opportunities for diversification with Tourism and Renewable Energy, lack of processing facilities and the importance of succession within farming enterprises. Following the meeting, Mid and


West Wales AM Eluned Morgan said: “It was extremely valuable to meet representatives from Meirionnydd FUW. They shared their concerns with me about their fears about the industry post-Brexit. I hope that I was able to reassure them that I am happy to be a mouthpiece in the Assembly for the need to focus on rural development and the central role that agriculture plays in the food and drink industry in Wales, which employs over 220,000 people.”


Aber to Cardiff Sunday bus considered


ELIN JONES AM, who helped


bring the Aberystwyth - Cardiff bus back into service last year, has welcomed moves by the government to consider providing the service on a Sunday. After a lot of work by Elin Jones,


Ceredigion Council Officials and the Welsh Government, the T1C was introduced last month as a six month trial operation, while the government assessed passenger demand and operational considerations. Elin Jones AM said: “Following


the big victory in getting the direct bus to Cardiff back on the road, I’m glad that the Cabinet Secretary has


confirmed with me that the passenger numbers in the first few weeks of the T1C are encouraging. “The fact that there is no service


on a Sunday is proving problematic for some. I have pressed the need with the Cabinet Secretary for a full seven day service, to which he has confirmed that this will be an issue for consideration at the end of the initial six month trial. Many constituents have also been disappointed that the service is a bus rather than a coach and does not have toilet facilities. “I will continue to call for these


issues to be resolved as soon as possible.”


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