Robust discussions on Brexit held at the Royal Welsh Show
After the first cut of silage, I, like many others I’m sure, have far more room left in the pit than usual. I’m certainly hoping for a second and third cut if the weather allows. We’ve been sure to spread slurry and bought some more fertiliser to try to aid grass growth – so fingers crossed.
It’s been a busy month off the farm too. I recently attended the Great Yorkshire Show, where the presidents of the four UK farming unions, including myself, Minette Batters, Ivor Ferguson and Andrew McCornick, met with George Eustice MP. Our message once again was consistent and we were keen to support the Chequers agreement as a pragmatic way forward.
I also had the pleasure of attending the Cows on Tour day at Priory School, Roath, near Cardiff. This initiative has gone from strength to strength, with Abi Reader (Glamorgan), Stella Owen (County Adviser) and the team being fantastic ambassadors in promoting food and farming to our younger consumers. There are over 30 languages spoken at this school, with many children never having been on a farm.
I sat in on a number of the demonstrations where butter, burgers and bread were being made, demonstrating the path from field to fork in a truly interactive way. Well done, team.
Next was the annual trip to Llanelwedd for the Royal Welsh Show, which for the past couple of years has entailed towing the younger member of our family’s caravan to the YPV. What a fantastic few days for these youngsters. Oh to be 18 again.
For the NFU Cymru team, the show starts on the Sunday with the press lunch, where we set out the union’s objectives and priorities for the week. Good, robust discussion followed and it’s clear there are a number of industry-defining decisions to be made in the next few months. We have a fantastic site on the showground and I was extremely pleased with the new set-up, which I felt worked well and was very welcoming.
The First Minister spoke at the first seminar and throughout the week there was excellent debate. A big focus obviously is Brexit and future trade, but having a reasonable level playing field is also important in terms of support.
Therefore it was good to have our Cabinet Secretary, Lesley Griffiths, there to answer questions with regards to the recently launched Welsh Government consultation Brexit and Our Land.
This consultation has two key areas, one being resilience and the other public goods. Recent weather and tariff trade wars have highlighted the more volatile world in which we now live.
Food production should not be taken for granted and members are strongly of the opinion that some form of stability measures are also needed.
We at NFU Cymru will leave no stone unturned to protect our industry. The family farm is what is at the core of NFU Cymru’s work – we need the right trade deal and the right future support to allow the industry to thrive.
We Are Welsh Farming is the campaign which we all need to get involved in, to promote the partnership between food production and the environment. Welsh farmers enhance the environment, preserve Welsh culture, boost the economy and support tourism, all while producing food for the nation – this was the message we conveyed throughout the week.
It was good to be part of a small delegation chaired by John Davies, RWAS board chairman, who had the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister on Thursday of the show. Without exception, the need for a free and frictionless trade deal was supported and I took the opportunity to ask the Prime Minister for a pragmatic approach to Brexit which won’t harm our economy and future generations.
By the Thursday evening, it would be true to say I was very tired but proud of the NFU Cymru team who had worked tirelessly throughout the week. Of course, it wasn’t all work and it was great to sponsor the Wales YFC rugby and tug-of-war competitions, and I really enjoyed welcoming hundreds of members to the stand.
We will be travelling the country over the next few weeks for our Brexit and Our Land consultation roadshows, followed by county meetings. Please ensure you attend your local event and make your voice heard. As well as NFU Cymru’s response to the consultation, it’s important that individuals respond, as numbers will count.
On a final note, members of NFU Cymru and friends will be taking part in a Hike and Bike challenge in aid of RABI on September 7-8. I would like to encourage everyone to support this excellent cause and you can donate by visiting the Hike and Bike Just Giving page.