WINTER UPDATE2019

Are you Brexit ready?Things are changing. If you’re a farmer, a gov.wales/preparingwales is a singlesource of information on actions for your business.

Farming Connect 08456 000 813

Business Wales 03000 603 000

Rural Payment Wales 03000 625 004 Customer Contact Centre

SAF 2020 availableDigital Assistance availableGlastir Commons 2020 available

2 March Farm Business Grant (FBG) EOI opens

3 March Farm Business Grant (FBG) meeting Llanrwst

5 March Farm Business Grant (FBG) meeting Aberystwyth

10 March Farm Business Grant (FBG) meeting Port Talbot

31 March Deadline for claiming Glastir Small Grants (landscape and pollinators)

MARCH

10 April Farm Business Grant (FBG) EOI closes

30 April Closing date for BPS Transfer and Lease 2020 entitlements

APRIL

15 May SAF 2020 closes Glastir Commons 2020 closes

MAY

NOVEMBER

28 November Food Business Investment Scheme (FBIS) EOI closes

29 November Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) support scheme application closes

DECEMBER

2 December Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payment window opens

31 December Deadline for completion of all Glastir Capital Works items

JANUARY

28 January Deadline for claiming all completed Glastir Capital Works via RPW Online. 30 January Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory deadline for forms to be submitted

KEY DATES2019/2020

Government Gateway – Multi-factor AuthenticationAs part of the UK Government Gateway Transformation Programme an additional layer of security is being introduced for RPW Online customers, known as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). MFA is an effective way of safeguarding customers RPW Online accounts from unauthorised access, reducing the risk of online accounts being compromised.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) currently use MFA on many of its digital services and the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) introduced MFA this Autumn. Customers who set up MFA to access HMRC services or WEFO online, and use the same Government Gateway log in details to access their RPW Online account, will go through this additional security process every time they log in to Government Gateway.

Further information on MFA through the Government Gateway for RPW Online customers will be available on the Welsh Government website in early 2020. Customers should contact HMRC or WEFO directly if they have any queries or issues with MFA before then.

Government Gateway – Email verification RPW Online customers are reminded that an e-mail verification process was introduced in December 2018, which means any customers who have not yet completed the process will be asked to verify their email address, create a memorable word (used for account recovery) and keep or amend their existing login details when they next want to access their RPW online account.

Information on email verification can be found on the Welsh Government website gov.wales/rural-payments-wales-rpw-online

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2019 Support SchemeThe BPS Support Scheme payments will be made during the week commencing 9 December 2019. The scheme will pay customers who applied by 29 November 2019, subject to meeting eligibility criteria, up to 90% of the anticipated BPS 2019 claim value.

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2019 Exchange RateThe 2019 exchange rate to be used for 2019 BPS payments has been set at €1 = £0.89092.

BPS 2019 Payment LettersThe Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2019 payment letters will be available on customers RPW Online account from 2 December 2019. Customers will receive a notification when the letters are available.Customers can choose to be notified of all new letters/documents published on RPW Online by email, SMS (text message) or both. Notification preferences can be updated anytime on the RPW Online account.

Transfer of entitlements The application period for BPS Transfer and Lease of entitlements for 2020 is open. Customers must complete the RPW Online form by 30 April 2020 in order for the recipient to make a claim on entitlements they are receiving for the 2020 BPS scheme year.

BrexitIn the event of a No Deal Exit from the European Union (EU) there will be no changes to the scheme rules that customers must follow to be eligible for and receive payments. These rules include the requirement for Cross Compliance and farm inspections. The current Cross Compliance rules and guidance can be accessed on the Welsh Government website gov.wales/cross-compliance

Manage My CPH eLearning MaterialsNew eLearning modules are being developed to support livestock keepers, unions and agents to use Manage My CPH via RPW Online. The interactive eLearning modules will help customers register and update their land details using Manage My CPH and will include some useful scenarios.

For more information about CPH, including the 10-mile movement reporting rule for all species, please visit the Welsh Government website gov.wales/cphproject.

‘Sustainable Farming and our Land’ Consultation – Update The Sustainable Farming and our Land Consultation closed on the 30 October. We would like to thank all individuals, groups and organisations who responded to the consultation. We are not able to comment on the outcome of the consultation until all of your responses have been considered and we will publish a summary of responses as soon as possible.

We want to work with you in the New Year to co-design the proposed scheme. This will enable us to explore the more practical aspects of the proposals in Sustainable Farming and our Land which is difficult to do within a written consultation process. We will publish details of the process, including details of how to get involved, in due course.

Closure of inactive CPH numbers The Welsh Government will be closing CPH numbers for replace with livestock keepers that our records show are no longer active. These are CPH numbers where there has been no movements recorded on or off the holding in the past 2 years and no sheep/goat annual inventory has been received during this period.

All affected keepers will receive a letter showing the CPH number that has been identified as inactive and will advise that it will be closed within 28 days unless Rural Payments Wales (RPW) are informed for it to remain open.

If you receive a letter for one of your holdings and you wish for the CPH number to remain active, as you either;• Currently have livestock on that holding number, • Intend to keep livestock in the future• Act as the responsible keeper for another’s livestock, or intend to

Please contact Rural Payments Wales (RPW) requesting for the CPH number to remain active.

Please ensure that your contact details with Rural Payments Wales (RPW) are up to date and they have been notified of any changes to your address.

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>Select the ‘Gwlad – Rural Affairs’ newsletter from the list and click submit

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E-NEWSLETTER

THE LATEST AGRICULTURE NEWS AND INFORMATION DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX

Predictive Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) Map UpdateThe Minister for Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs is pleased to announce the first significant update to the Predictive Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) Map. Launched at the Winter Fair in 2017, the map provides an indication of agricultural land quality on a 50m grid across the whole of Wales and is freely available to view via the Welsh Government’s environmental information portal, Lle (lle.gov.wales/home). It allows farmers, planners and Government to make informed choices about how agricultural land is used in Wales and identifies the potential versatility of land to support a range of cropping choices.

The November 2019 update will see additional functionally added for farmers and agricultural surveyors including predictive information on top soil texture, soil depth and depth to impeded drainage. This is due to the inclusion of more detailed soil data provided by Cranfield University and over 5,000ha of soil resource surveys conducted by ADAS with the kind permission of Welsh farmers. This investment is unique to Wales; no other administration in the United Kingdom is developing this type of tool or the range of information that will be available as a result.

Soil is our greatest natural asset; it is the golden thread linking nearly everything we do from growing food to regulating climate. With this in mind, the Welsh Government believes it vital to maximise access to soil information and conserve our very best agricultural land for future generations.

www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture

WALESFARM SAFETY PARTNERSHIP

R Always remember to wear a helmet

R Make sure all riders have been trained

R Carry out safety checks and regular maintenance

R Never carry children or passengers

@farmsafetywales

Animal Health and Welfare and the Wales Rural Development Programme The Wales Rural Development Programme (RDP) seeks to enable the food, farming and forestry industries to improve productivity, diversity and efficiency, and to promote strong, sustainable rural economic growth and community-led development. A priority in our RDP is protecting and maximising animal health and welfare, to strengthen the sustainability of livestock farms in Wales.

In addition to grants to individual farms, the RDP is supporting a number of Wales-wide initiatives that have been selected to implement the goals and priorities of the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework. gov.wales/farmed-animal-strategy

CCTV & Abattior Support *Not yet awarded

* As of October 2019

AMR Control *Iechyd Da & University of Bristol

Herd Advance

(Dairy) *AHDB Dairy

RDP AH&W Projects Structure Gwaredu

BVD *Coleg Sir Gâr

Sheep Scab Eradication *To Be Funded From RDP

Stoc + (Sheep and

Beef) *HCC

Animal Health Planning

AH&W Training

*NADIS, LANTRA & Farming Connect

A principle common to all of the projects is that health and production is achieved through prevention, rather than cure. The initiatives are all Wales-wide and aim to make a lasting, step-change in the health of our national herd and flock. Some address the threats from specific diseases (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea and sheep scab), and the opportunities for our farmers achieved by reduction. Others (Stoc+ and red meat and Herd Advance for dairy farming) are enabling evidence-based animal health planning to be rolled out across Wales, and for the benefits to be measured and assessed.

Closely related, there is a project to minimise antibiotic resistance development in farmed animals by ensuring the highest possible standards of antibiotic use. Another project is delivering training to farmers and improving knowledge of animal health and welfare, now expected by many supply chains.

All the projects aim to make farming business stronger by improving livestock productivity and ensuring the expectations of high welfare standards are met.

They are delivered by a number of partners – please contact them for further information.

Winter is coming

Protect your stock…As you prepare your business and stock for the winter ahead, ensuring you practice good biosecurity measures will help you:

R Control and eradicate diseases on your farm easier, and prevent and avoid some diseases completely;

R Reduce the amounts of veterinary medicines you use to prevent and treat disease;

R Improve your farm’s efficiency and your business’ profits; and,

R Protect neighbouring farms, your local community and the countryside.

Animal disease can be introduced and spread on your farm through buying in infected animals; vermin and wildlife contamination; movement of people, equipment and vehicles between farms; movement of animals between farms and management units on a single farm; and, contaminated water sources and feed stores. Effective biosecurity measures can help reduce and eliminate these risks:

R Operate a closed herd/flock policy or when buying in replacement stock, check the health status of those animals and quarantine them when they arrive on your farm.

R Review your herd/flock status regularly, and develop effective health planning with your vet.

R Use protective clothing and footwear that can be cleansed and disinfected properly, not only when coming onto farm, but when moving between areas and management groups on your holding. Wash your hands, and practice good personal hygiene.

R Have pressure washers, brushes, hoses, water and disinfectant available for use – and ensure that people know that it is there and why.

R Control access onto your farm – have designated areas that visitors and deliveries can access, rather than the entire site.

R Winter housing must be well ventilated and kept dry.

R Control vermin. As the weather gets colder, vermin and wildlife may look for warmth and shelter, as you are housing your stock. Check for their presence regularly, and ensure feed and water is not accessible to them, and that pest controls are used in a way that prevents threat to your stock.

R Assess your farm, identifying high risk areas and address these first, including the risk of neighbouring threats. Double fence and avoid nose to nose contact between your stock and others.

Protect yourself and others.…Disease poses a risk not only to animals, but can also affect the health of people who come into contact with them. Zoonotic diseases such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, toxin-producing E. Coli (STEC), Q fever, Chlamydia abortus (ovine psittacosis) and leptospirosis can easily be passed from cattle, sheep, goats and poultry to humans, especially during lambing, kidding and calving. Direct contact with animals their faeces, bedding and fencing can transfer such infections and cause illness in humans. There may be signs of scouring or an increase in numbers of abortions although there may be no visible clinical signs of the disease in the livestock.

Good biosecurity measures will benefit not only the health of your animals, but also will help protect your health, the health of your employees and any visitors to your holding. Such steps include:

R There should be adequate hand washing facilities on site, including hot water, soap and disposable paper towels. Ideally, hand sanitiser gels should not be used although they can be used in addition to, and not as a substitute to soap and water as they do not remove ingrained or solid contaminants.

R Check these facilities regularly, ensuring they are in adequate supply and in good working order. Let farm workers/visitors know of these facilities and make sure they are used. If young family members, or visitors have access to your site, ensure they are properly supervised when doing so.

R Wash hands regularly and immediately after working with animals, their bedding or housing and always before eating.

R If you regularly have visitors to your holding, it is advisable to have appropriate sineage on display with hand washing advice.

R Do not eat or drink whilst working with the animals or walking generally around the farm. Instead have designated safe areas where hands can be washed before food is consumed and ensure any waste food or food that has fallen on the ground is picked up and disposed of correctly, so that they in turn cannot be eaten by your stock.

R Avoid touching your face or putting your hands in your mouth whilst working directly with the animals – smoking and mobile phone use are instances where this can occur.

R Ensure that any contaminated clothing or footwear are cleaned and thoroughly and disinfected using an approved disinfectant. For work use, you and your employees may keep designated protective clothing for use at your holding at the site itself, rather than taking home with them.

R Always remove clothing and footwear before entering the house and ensure young children do not have access to these items – E. coli O157 (STEC) can cause life-threatening illness in a young child.

R Train your staff – having the facilities there to protect human health are vital, but more importantly is the necessity to inform people of potential risk and ensure they understand how they can protect themselves.

R If disease or infection is present on your farm, don’t be afraid to turn visitors or non-essential guests away – this is to protect them, your own and other farmers’ livestock.

R Don’t forget, whilst leptospirosis from rat urine is a risk at any time of year, rats will be particularly active at this time of year and will seek access to animal feedstuffs and an easy meal! Leptospirosis is carried in rat urine and they pee all the time and is also carried by cattle, so anyone who works round the back end of a cow is potentially at risk of acquiring the infection – it takes a long time to recover from this!

R Ensure veterinary medicines are stored correctly, and are not easily accessed by those who are not trained to use them. You should be particularly vigilant if children and young people have access to your farm – young children like to investigate their environment, especially one that is new to them, with fingers and mouths!

Children, elderly people and people with weakened immune systems, are more at risk of such diseases, and for family members, employees and visitors who may belong to these groups. You should be particularly vigilant in ensuring these steps are taken. Be careful about allowing young children to bottle feed lambs as these animals may be excreting large amounts of the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum.

Are you pregnant?

If you are pregnant, to protect the health of you and your unborn baby, avoid close contact with sheep during lambing season, which runs from January – April.

R Avoid helping to deliver lambs, calves or kidsR Do not milk ewesR Avoid contact with aborted (miscarried), or newborn lambs, and with

afterbirth, birthing fluids or contaminated material, such as bedding.R Ensure your partner washes thoroughly after contact with ewes

that are lambingR Clothing worn during lambing should be washed separately from

other washing

Advice on lambing from Public Health Wales and Welsh Government can be found at www.wales.nhs.uk

Remember: it is not only direct contact with animals that can lead to zoonotic infection – gates and hurdles can also be a source of contamination.

Many zoonotic infections start with what appears to be a ‘flu-like illness and/or diarrhoea, so be particularly vigilant with your own health and that of your family, your staff and visitors.

Avian influenza (AI), also known as bird flu, is a disease that affects all types of poultry including chickens, ducks and geese. There were 21 findings of the H5N6 strain of avian influenza in wild birds in England, between January and June 2018. The migration season is underway and the risk of avian influenza being introduced from the wild bird population again is likely to increase. Birds can also carry pathogens which can cause gastrointestinal infections such as Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Avian Influenza: Advice for Poultry Keepers

What you can doIt is important for poultry keepers to remain vigilant and maintain a high level of biosecurity. The risk of disease spread can be reduced by taking all possible measures to protect your birds from contact with wild birds:R where possible, feed and water your birds under coverR keep everything clean – spilled feed, litter and standing water attract wild

birds and verminR make sure your clothes, footwear and hands are clean before and after

contact with birds – visitors should do the sameR limit your birds’ access to areas visited by wild waterfowlR be vigilant – if your birds are sick, contact your vet immediatelyR where possible, avoid keeping ducks and geese with other poultry speciesR watch out for common signs including breathing problems, loss of weight,

and falling egg production.

If you suspect that your birds have AI, you should report it to your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office on: 0300 303 8268

Poultry Register Poultry keepers who own 50 or more birds are required to provide details of their flocks to the Poultry Register. Keepers with fewer than 50 birds are encouraged to register. This will ensure that you can be contacted immediately in an avian disease outbreak so that you can take action to protect your flocks at the earliest opportunity. To register, call free on 0800 634 112.

Further Information and UpdatesFurther information on avian influenza can be found on the Welsh Government website gov.wales/avian-influenza-bird-flu

African Swine Fever (ASF)

What is it?ASF is a highly contagious notifiable disease of pigs caused by a virus. There is no vaccine. The disease may occur in, and spread between, domestic and feral pigs, and wild boar. The acute form of the disease is severe and the majority of affected pigs die. It does not affect humans. ASF has never been reported in the UK, although the risk of ASF entering the UK has increased following its continuing spread in continental Europe.

Current SituationASF is having disastrous impacts on the pig industry in Europe and Asia, resulting in the death of millions of pigs and wild boar worldwide, causing global pork prices to rise. If ASF were to reach the UK it could have major impacts on the health and welfare of our pigs and serious economic consequences for our pig industry.

One of the main ways the disease could reach the UK is through infected meat being brought into the country by a member of the public. The ASF virus can survive for long periods in raw, cooked, and frozen meat. These products may then be discarded in areas where domestic pigs or wild boar could gain access. Previous swine fever outbreaks have been attributed to the feeding of waste food to pigs.

Preventing and controlling ASFYou can help prevent the disease by: R practising strict biosecurity on your premises R not feeding kitchen or catering waste, or meat or meat products to pigs, boar

or any livestock (it’s illegal!)R not bringing pork or pork products into the UK from abroad, particularly

from areas where the disease is prevalent.

If the disease were to reach the UK it could have a devastating effect on our export market and would also mean the humane culling of pigs on infected premises to prevent further spread. However, the Welsh Government have robust contingency plans in place, which are regularly tested in exercises and actual disease incidents.

If you suspect ASF is present in your pigs it must be reported to your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office. In Wales they can be contacted on 0300 303 8268.

Bovine TBCymorth TB now easier to access Herd keepers that suffer a TB breakdown are reminded that they can access veterinary support and advice free of charge through the Cymorth TB programme. Further, herd keepers in the Intermediate TB Area North (ITBAN) are able to access free veterinary “keep it out” advice from their private vet following a clear contiguous TB test.

To make accessing this support easier, visits will be scheduled for eligible herds automatically unless the herd keeper chooses to opt out.

Please speak to your local veterinary practice to find out more gov.wales/cymorth-tb

Dairy bull calvesSome dairy companies are introducing a new policy which states no healthy calf born on their UK contracted farms should be shot or slaughtered before 8 weeks of age from 31 December 2020. Outlined below are the options available to farmers who have dairy bull calves within TB restricted premises.R Rear the calves on the holding and send them directly to slaughter, or via a

dedicated slaughter market. Restrictions can only be revoked when all cattle on the holding have satisfied the TB testing requirements.

R Send under a licence which is approved by APHA to an Approved Finishing Unit.

R Set up and send under a licence to an approved TB isolation Unit. Animals in the Isolation Unit must usually have undergone two clear SITs 60 days apart and if clear they can be sold as TB free cattle.

R Send under a licence to another TB restricted holding, providing a veterinary risk assessment allows it.

Send cattle under license following a veterinary risk assessment to an Orange Market in England. More information regarding conditions on setting up Isolation Unit and Approved Finishing Unit or what requirements need to be met to obtain the licence is available from the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Changes in movement restrictions in TB breakdownsFrom 13 January 2020, the rules regarding the management of TB breakdown herds are changing for herd owners keeping cattle on multiple holdings (with different CPHs), but where these holdings are all run as one business. In order to more effectively control cattle movements and to provide a consistency of approach, each holding (CPH) will be served with a separate restriction Notice Prohibiting the Movement of Bovine Animals (TB02). Licensed movements of cattle between the holdings may still be possible, subject to a satisfactory veterinary risk assessment. All farmers have received a letter which explains the changes and where they will be able to find more detailed information if required.

Gwaredu BVD – Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD)

Over 7,500 cattle herds across Wales have been screened for BVD.

You have until August 2020 to take advantage of free young stock screening.Don’t miss out – sign up now!

Last chance to benefit from this free screening

Gwaredu BVD is an industry led scheme which is seeking to eradicate Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) from Welsh herds.

What is BVD?BVD is a pestivirus infection of cattle, which can cause a variety of clinical outcomes that range from sub-clinical infections to more severe outcomes including abortion, infertility, and the fatal Mucosal Disease. BVD is maintained by a small population of animals that become “Persistently Infected” with the virus. Persistently infected animals are the major reservoir of BVD, becoming infected whilst in the uterus during early pregnancy. Such infections remain throughout the pregnancy and after birth, for the lifetime of the animal.

BVD impacts on production with the potential for significant economic consequences to cattle keepers and also has animal welfare implications.

Eradicating BVD in Wales will bring significant benefits not just on standards of animal health and welfare but also the impact on production and the serious economic costs to farm businesses.

Gwaredu BVDThe Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group recognised the control of BVD as a priority for Welsh industry and supported the development and implementation of this industry led scheme for Wales – Gwaredu BVD - and secured funding from the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-20. The scheme is proving a success and since its launch more than 7,500 herds across Wales have been screened.

How it worksBVD screening can be undertaken at the same time as TB testing to provide the necessary support and guidance to ensure you can correctly and quickly identify herds infected with BVD. Support is then available to find the persistently infected (PI) animals from infected herds.

Veterinary practices across Wales have been trained and briefed on the scheme, and your private veterinarians will be able to work with you to demonstrate how taking part in the scheme could benefit your business, and protect the health of your cattle.

For more info visit www.ahww.cymru/en/ or talk to your vet.

Sheep Scab

Sheep scab is one of the most contagious diseases of sheep in Wales.

Sheep scab is caused by a mite (Psoroptes ovis). The mites live on the surface of the skin and their droppings cause an allergic reaction in the infested sheep. It is this allergic reaction that causes the sheep to scratch intensely. The itch causes distress and can even stop animals grazing, resulting in major health and welfare concerns. Sheep scab is a priority of the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group.

Sheep scab is spread by direct contact with infected sheep or from areas and objects where infected sheep have recently (up to 17 days) been present. Mites can be carried from flock to flock on clothing and equipment.

Flock owners and sheep keepers are legally obliged to treat and control sheep scab in their flocks. Reports of untreated sheep scab are referred to Local Authorities who are responsible for enforcement of The Sheep Scab Order 1997, which gives them the means to control sheep scab when owners do not take appropriate measures.

There has been an increase in the number of confirmed cases of scab across Wales, so in preparation for the coming winter months, you must be vigilant with your flock - Look out for clinical symptoms including wool loss, intense itching, and lesions. Good biosecurity practices, including quarantining newly bought in stock from your existing flock, double-fencing, and use of the newly available blood-testing that can diagnose the scab prior to the appearance of clinical symptoms, should be considered.

As sheep scab can be difficult to identify and requires veterinary diagnosis, you should discuss with your private veterinarian any concerns and treatment plans going forward, including preventative measures to protect your flock from sheep scab.

Quarantine Units

What is a Quarantine Unit?A Quarantine Unit (QU) is a biosecure enclosure to house animals moving on to a farm from a market or other holding, or for animals returning from an agricultural show. The QU will quarantine animals from the rest of the main holding for the duration of the 6DSS, allowing the rest of the holding to function as normal.

Quarantine Units are designed to provide an appropriate balance between effective disease control measures and flexibility of movements for trade.

Benefits of a Quarantine UnitR New or returned animals can complete a 6DSS in the QU, allowing your

main holding to operate as normal.R Animals can be moved between a QU and multiple shows, without the

need for a 6DSS.R Housing new animals in a QU protects your main flock/herd from

the spread of disease.

Farms that do not have a certified QU will be required to observe a 6DSS when introducing or returning animals to their main holding. We recommended farmers decide whether or not to establish a QU based on the needs and operation of their farm.

For more information, please follow these links to the improved guidance for QUs (see bit.ly/quarantineunits) and our promotional film (bit.ly/qu-film).

Time to Act – Deadline Approaching for Previous Exempt Water AbstractorsIf you take more than 20 cubic meters (4,400 gallons) per day from a surface or groundwater source like a river, a well or a borehole you are likely to need a transitional licence and need to act NOW.

If you do not apply NOW:

• You will not benefit from a temporary streamlined application process designed to make applications cheaper and easier for most applicants;

• You will lose your right to abstract water from 1st January 2020.

If you do not submit a valid application by 31st December 2019 and continue abstraction post this date then you will be committing a criminal offence for which NRW may take enforcement action against you (including prosecution).

Application forms and further information can be found on Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) website in the ‘Permits and Permissions’ section (www.naturalresources.wales/permits-and-permissions/transitional-water-abstraction-licences) or contact NRW on 0300 065 3000 and ask for the Water Resources Permitting Team.

Farming Help Charities There are many valuable support services available for those suffering from stress in rural communities.

Farming Community Network (FCN)

FCN is a voluntary organisation and charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times. FCN can help with a variety of issues, such as animal health and welfare issues, issues with Mental and physical health such as depression, stress, isolation, long term illness and accidents as well as Family matters such as retirement, succession, relationship breakups and making a will.Contact the helpline open 7am-11am on 03000 111 999. Email: help@fcn.org.uk. www.fcn.org.uk

Addington Fund

The Addington Fund is a farming charity and the main area of work is to provide homes for farming families living in England and Wales who have to leave the industry, through no fault of their own, and by doing so will lose their home. In times of emergency they may be able to assist with a grant towards certain business costs.Contact the helpline on 01926 620135 www.addingtonfund.org.uk

DPJ Foundation

The DPJ Foundation was set up in July 2016 following the death of Daniel Picton-Jones. The foundation aims to support people in rural communities with poor mental health, especially men in the agricultural sector.

The charity provides fully funded counselling by qualified counsellors which is offered at a venue of choice (often at the farmer’s home or via the internet or telephone).

Contact the call line on 0800 587 4262. Text line: 07860 048799 www.thedpjfoundation.com

Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI)

RABI is the farming sector’s oldest and largest charity providing financial support, practical care and guidance to people of all ages across England and Wales. Support is personally tailored to suit individual need. Extreme weather, physical and mental illness, accidents, animal disease and personal debt are just some of the reasons why working people seek the charity’s help.

Helpline: 0808 2819490 Email: grants@rabi.org.uk www.rabi.org.uk

Tir Dewi

Tir Dewi is a charity supporting farmers and their families in South West Wales. A network of volunteers are available to listen and offer complete confidentiality who can help untangle and prioritise problems. Volunteers can put farmers in touch with partner organisations who can offer specific help with an array of complex problems.

To find out how Tir Dewi can help you, contact the Freephone helpline 0800 121 4722 or email mail@tirdewi.co.uk

Whatever your skill level, computer training could help you...

• Manage your farm or forestry business more efficiently

• Reduce your paperwork

• Save you time and money

Talk to us today about...

• Training for complete beginners

• One-to-one tutoring for those with basic IT skills

• Workshops for individuals wanting to utilise IT and other technologies

www.gov.wales/farmingconnect

IMPROVE YOUR IT SKILLS... fully funded computer training

...all services fully funded or subsidised by up to 80%

• Improve efficiency and profits across all areas of working

• Decrease inputs and increase outputs

• Access business and technical advice

• Skills and training courses will transform the way you work...business development, IT, animal health and welfare, machinery handling etc

• Benchmark performance, set achievable targets

• Keep up to date with innovation and best practice

Prepare for the future with support from Farming Connect

Access Storfa SgiliauFarming Connect’s secure, online data storage tool for continuous professional development. For further information, contact your local development officer. www.gov.wales/farmingconnect

Subsidised by up to 80%

Bovine EID BackgroundIn December 2018, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths announced the development of Wales’ first multispecies traceability system.

The current EIDCymru system is being extended to bring together one system for cattle, sheep and pigs. The first priority is to transfer the cattle system and our aim will be to combine this with the implementation of electronic identification of cattle, known as Bovine EID.

Bovine EID will require cattle to be electronically identified with an ear tag containing an electronic chip. This will require a new reserved colour for an EID chip and a new numbering system.

Consultation Bovine EID of cattle will be phased-in for Wales over the next few years. A formal 12 week consultation will be published early in the new year. After this, we will be able to provide a proposed implementation date for Bovine EID in Wales.

Please get in touch with us on AdnabodDaByw.LivestockID@gov.wales for further information

Have you bought sheep from the market today?Save yourself a stamp and confirm your movement online.

The market will have created the movement for you – all you need to do is log onto EIDCymru and accept it, this will save you finding an envelope and a stamp!

It’s 3 clicks on the computer.

Alternatively – if you have to send a copy of the licence to EIDCymru please make sure you:

• Sign and date the licence

• Ensure the tag list is attached

• Be content the tag numbers correspond to the animals you have.

Did you know – you can check all your movement records for accuracy on EIDCymru.

Need assistance? contact 01970636959 or e-mail contact@eidcymru.org where the dedicated EIDCymru service is available to help you.

Wales Rural Network Support Unit (WRNSU)We are part of the wider EU and UK Network, working together to support and promote the exchange of expertise in rural development. We are here to support activities funded under the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014–2020.

What we do:• share and exchange information, news stories and press releases • organise and promote free events and initiatives promoting the Rural

Development Programme • promote projects examples and case studies via the WRN Web pages• communicate and promote funding opportunities • arrange study visits to encourage co-operation and sharing of knowledge• connect businesses, community groups and others interested in improving

rural areas• share and exchange best practices

Would you like to get involved? • subscribe to our newsletter and social media channels• be inspired via our interactive project map • interested in Rural Events • information on good practice, resources or project ideas• engage with others on rural development across Europe

facebook.com/WalesRuralNet @WalesRuralNet

E-mail ruralnetwork@gov.wales businesswales.gov.wales/walesruralnetwork

With winter fast approaching, it is very important that you start preparing for winter now to help ease the impact on your farm business and to reduce the risks of something serious happening. Making some small changes now can save you considerable time, distress and money in the future. Below are some tips that you should be considering.

Get ready for winter on the farm

A high number of farmers are either killed or seriously injured each year on Welsh farms so it is important that health and safety comes first. Advice on risk assessments is available from the Health and Safety Executive www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture

Further sources of advice / information The Welsh Government: Winter weather advice, Animal Welfare The Met Office: Get Ready Natural Resources Wales: Flood Alert

Review your insurance policies and check that it includes cover for ‘severe weather/storm damage’

Has your machinery been serviced and the anti-freeze levels checked?

Is there sufficient space in buildings to provide some frost protection for essential vehicles, such as tractors and quad bikes?

Have you got adequate stocks of fuel oil/heating oil for the winter?

Do you have sufficient stocks of food if you were snowed-in?

Have you got sufficient slurry storage for the winter?

Have you considered livestock welfare such as, bedding, water and housing?

Have you got sufficient feed supplies for your animals for the winter?

Identify ‘safe’ and accessible areas to which stock may be moved in the event of a forecast of severe weather

Are your buildings secure and sufficiently weather proof?

Is there a plan in place to maintain access to your farm in the event of ice and snow?

Have you got sufficient stocks of salt/grit to keep vital access and exit points open?

Have you got a backup electric supply such as a generator?

Addington Fund01926 620 135

TB Helpline0800 496 1439

DPJ Foundation0800 587 4262

EID Cymru01970 636 959

Farming Connect08456 000 813

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)0300 303 8268

Quality Welsh Food Certification Body01970 636 688

Rural Payments Wales Customer Contact Centre0300 062 5004

Farming Community Network (FCN)03000 111 999

Badger Found Dead Survey 0808 169 5110

Lantra Wales 01982 552 646

Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI)0808 281 9490

Tir Dewi (Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire)0800 121 4722

British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS)0345 050 3456

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)0300 065 3000

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