Chance to air views on CAP

WELSH farmers will have an opportunity to voice their views about the EC’s CAP proposals on Thursday during a conference organised by the union at Aberystwyth Art Centre.

“This conference will provide a very timely opportunity to hear the views of our speakers and delegates,” said FUW president Emyr Jones. “The conference will provide an ideal opportunity to hear about developments to date and the likely impact of CAP reform on the agriculture, economy, and landscape of Wales and similar regions.”

The speakers will include: Tassos Haniotis, director of economic analysis at the EC Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Developments; Jeremy Walker, chairman of the Tenant Farmers’ Association, and Dr Nick Fenwick, FUW Director of Agricultural Policy.

l On Wednesday, the EU Commission publishes its draft proposals for CAP reform.

Rates vary for tenant farmers

AUTUMN reviews of livestock farm rents on traditional tenancies are coming in at £50-£60/acre, according to the Tenant Farmers Association. Average arable rents are settling at £76-£80/acre. Rents on newer Farm Business Tenancies are higher – around £85/acre on livestock holdings and £105-£110/acre arable farms. The TFA is aware of some “shockingly unsustainable” FBT tender rents of £200/acre or more.

TV channel just for grasslands

A NEW internet television channel has been launched to champion grasslands and grazing. Pasture Promise TV will be producing a series of films. The first, “The more we graze it”, is a critique of US-style megadairies.