NFU Cymru members attending the annual Conference held yesterday were told by the Deputy Minister, Rebecca Evans, that the majority of Welsh farmers will receive a part payment, which will be in the region of 80% of the estimated full payment value, within the first month of the Basic Payment Scheme window opening on 1 December 2015 with the remaining part payments to be made early in 2016. She said she expected the final balance of each BPS payment to be paid in April 2016.
The Deputy Minister was responding to the opening speech made by Stephen James, NFU Cymru President, where he explained how Welsh farmers have had a difficult year for various reasons and with the expensive winter period ahead they needed assurances from the Welsh Government that their BPS Payment was on its way.
Tom Tynan, a member of the EU Commissioner, Phil Hogan’s, cabinet, told those present that the Russian embargo on imports underlined the necessity to diversify our export outlets. Mr Tynan gave assurances that access to new markets is a key priority for the Commissioner. He continued, “It is our firm belief that the agri-food sector can do great things in this century. We believe the sector can be a real driver of jobs and growth, while at the same time playing a central part in addressing many societal challenges.”
Professor Peter Mills, the Deputy Vice Chancellor at Harper Adams University however asked the audience the question, “How do we encourage others to come into our sector?” Prof Mills provided figures that showed the numbers of postgraduates have seriously declined over the past decade and the number of undergraduates looked set to decline again in the future. Looking to the future Prof Mills talked about precision agriculture including GPS steering and soil mapping. He said although only a small proportion of farmers have adopted it to date he argued that it will become the standard over the next 15 years or so.
After lunch Professor David Hughes entertained the crowd with his presentation on global food industry developments. He told the beef and sheep farmers in the audience that their products are premium meats and they should celebrate that fact. Prof Hughes went on to say that farmers should sell the story of their products more descriptively. “How would you like your meat?…. With adjectives please.” He explained that the type of breed, where you farm, how the animals are fed, all paint a picture that the customer buys into when they are buying the product.
The conference then heard from three young farmers in a panel debate. Shaun Hall Jones from Llanybydder, Carmarthenshire; Rhodri Jones from Llanuwchllyn, Bala and Abi Reader from the Vale of Glamorgan gave their views on what the industry, retailers and the Welsh Government could do to help younger farmers entering the industry.
John Davies, NFU Cymru Deputy President closed the conference by thanking the sponsors Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales for their continued support of the event this year.
