FUW to host consultation events on Sustainable Farming Scheme plans

Written by Agriland Team

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has announced plans to host a series of meetings to discuss the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming and Our Land consultation.

The consultation, which was launched by Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths in July, outlines proposals for future farm and rural support which have been revised in light of the response to the 2018 Brexit and Our Land consultation.

It proposes that future support should be designed around the principle of sustainability in a way which brings together the ‘wide-ranging and significant economic, environmental and social contribution or farmers’.


The proposals would see support distributed through a single Sustainable Farming Scheme based on:

• The principles of providing a meaningful and stable income stream;
• Rewarding outcomes in a fair way;
• Paying for both new and existing sustainable practices; and
• The flexibility to apply to every type of farm.

Farmers’ Union of Wales president Glyn Roberts said: “We welcome the fact that the consultation document acknowledges many of the concerns raised by respondents to last years Brexit and Our Land consultation, and focuses on farmers and food producers.

“Concerns highlighted by the FUW last year about the dangers of setting a fixed timetable and ploughing ahead with proposals at a time of complete uncertainty over Brexit and its impacts, and undertaking detailed modelling and economic assessments of proposals before coming to any decision, also appear to have been taken on board.”

Roberts said that this acknowledgement and the consultative tone of the document would help to discuss the proposals with the industry and urges farmers to join the FUW at its consultation meetings.

Whilst we hope that the Welsh Government will indeed extend the consultation period, until we have had clear confirmation that this is the case, we will do our best to ensure that farmers understand the proposals.

“I would, therefore, urge anyone with an interest in the future of agriculture, and our rural economy to join us at one of our meetings to discuss what is being proposed,” he said.

Events


The events to discuss the consultation document in detail have been arranged on the following dates and locations and are sponsored by HSBC Bank:

• Denbigh & Flint – Monday, September 16 at The Lecture Theatre, Llysfasi College, LL15 2LB, 7:30pm;
• Caernarfon – Wednesday, September 18 at Glynllifon College, LL54 5DU, 7:30pm;
• Anglesey – Friday, September 20 at Anglesey Showground Pavilion, LL65 4RW, 7:30pm;
• Pembrokeshire – Monday, September 23 at Nantyffin Hotel, Llandissilio, SA66 7SU, 7:30pm;
• Ceredigion – Wednesday, September 25 at Aberaeron Rugby Club, SA46 0JR, 7:30pm;
• Carmarthen – Friday, September 27 at White Hart Inn, Llandeilo, SA19 6RS, 7:30pm;
• Gwent – Tuesday, October 1 at Monmouthshire Livestock Centre, Raglan, NP15 2BH, 7.30pm;
• Glamorgan – Wednesday, October 2 at The Grove Golf Club, Porthcawl, CF33 4RP, 7:30pm;
• Brecon & Radnor – Friday, October 4 at FUW Pavilion, Builth Wells, LD2 3NJ, 7:00pm;
• Meirionnydd – Monday, October 7 at Clwb Rygbi Dolgellau, Marian Mawr Enterprize Park, Dolgellau LL40 1UU; 7:30pm;
• Montgomeryshire – Wednesday, October 9 at The Elephant & Castle Hotel, Broad St, Newtown SY16 2BQ; 7:30pm.

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