Mon, 06 Jun 2016 Ffermio

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-Welcome to Ffermio.

-I'm at Porth Meudwy near Aberdaron.

-I'm about to cross the water

-to Bardsey Island.

-We're heading there

-to speak to a young lady...

-..who's been managing the island

-for six months.

-Also on today's programme...

-..Alun has been to meet a farmer

-who is having to diversify...

-..as he will be losing 60%

-of his single farm payment by 2019.

-We start with Meinir.

-She's been to meet Phil Hogan...

-..the European Commissioner for

-Agriculture and Rural Development...

-..at a day organized by the NFU...

-..to discuss the implications

-of remaining in and leaving the EU.

-Phil Hogan's

-visit to Wales and Scotland...

-..is a great chance for farmers to

-ask him about the consequences...

-..of remaining in the EU

-and leaving.

-I've at Goldsland Farm

-near Wenvoe, Cardiff...

-..to shed some light on the matter

-before polling day on 23 June.

-Although the Commissioner

-cannot give his opinion...

-..the hope

-is that during the visit...

-..he'll outline the facts

-about staying and leaving.

-Farmers understand that it's very

-important to be able to trade...

-..with countries, in respect

-of the products they produce.

-We've high-quality sheep, lamb

-and beef here in Wales.

-They have to have a market.

-92% of sheep meat is exported

-to the EU and 93% of beef.

-They get financial support

-from the EU...

-..through

-the Common Agricultural Policy.

-6.50 out of every 10 is the source

-of a farmer's income at the moment.

-Farmers have stability

-in relation to their incomes...

-..for the next four years.

-There's no guarantee they'll get

-the same support from the Treasury.

-What can we expect

-after the four years?

-We have to review our Common

-Agricultural Policies in 2020.

-In the meantime,

-I'll try to simplify it...

-..and try to make it easier for

-the farmer and reduce regulations...

-..and support commodities that are

-under pressure - dairy and pig meat.

-These are the opportunities

-we have to work with...

-..in terms of giving

-not just financial support...

-..but market support

-and trading opportunities.

-If the UK leaves the EU, you'll have

-to renegotiate trade agreements...

-..with the 27 other member states

-and the 53 free trade agreements.

-They take a long time, and it's

-important farmers realize that...

-..if they want a market outlet

-for their very good-quality product.

-In order to gauge

-farmers' opinions...

-..we've travelled the length

-and breadth of the country...

-..starting

-at Carmarthen's livestock market.

-What worries me is the type

-of relationship we have with Europe.

-Some people claim

-it's not a good one.

-Perhaps if we remained,

-we wouldn't gain much.

-I'm not sure at the moment.

-You hear different stories

-of what to believe.

-I'll have to decide soon.

-I say leave.

-The industry

-is currently in a bad state.

-I don't think we would be

-any worse off if we left Europe.

-The message coming from England...

-..is that we put more money

-into Europe than we receive.

-But in Wales, we receive

-850 million extra than we pay in.

-On a Welsh level, not to mention

-on an agricultural level...

-..it's vital that we remain.

-If we don't get out, we're stuck

-with the way Europe is...

-..and Europe deciding how we farm

-for the next 30 or 40 years.

-We need to look at this

-as a leap into the light.

-Let's get out

-for the benefit of agriculture.

-My first instinct was to leave

-but I'm even more convinced now...

-..after hearing Cameron

-and Osborne's rubbish.

-I'm strongly for staying in the EU.

-It's the biggest single market

-in the world.

-Whatever business you're in...

-..if you pull out of the

-largest market, it's a big mistake.

-I am definitely in.

-I think that everything

-that is important to my industry...

-..is within Europe,

-and that's where we need to stay.

-It's the largest economy

-in the world.

-It's giving us access

-to 500 million consumers.

-We cannot underestimate that.

-We cannot underestimate that.

-

-I think we should leave.

-If you have a good product,

-somebody will want it.

-Whether it's meat, milk or steel.

-If you produce quality,

-it will always sell.

-If they don't want it,

-it's easy enough for this country...

-..to refuse to buy any produce

-from abroad.

-It works both ways.

-We're safer, with regards

-to discussions, if we stay.

-Take South America, for example...

-..20 countries in Europe

-have declared...

-..they don't want

-South American lamb.

-What did our government say?

-They didn't give their opinion.

-That's what we'd be dealing with

-if we left Europe.

-Norway trades in Europe,

-but they're not in the EU.

-What's to stop us

-being in the same situation?

-After listening to the Commissioner

-and speaking to him afterwards...

-..I can only see the advantages.

-Those who speak of the disadvantages

-of being in Europe...

-..fall out of the argument

-when you discuss it with them.

-Many of the problems

-come from Cardiff.

-The problem is there.

-We've heard one or two youngsters

-say we need more European rule...

-..and I'd tend to agree.

-More European rule

-and less from Cardiff.

-That's my opinion.

-I don't have a clue.

-I'm not sure

-whether to stay or leave.

-Does anybody know the answer?

-Would things be worse

-than they are now?

-There's no doubt of the uncertainty

-about what would happen if we left.

-Especially because

-no concrete plans exist.

-If we chose Brexit...

-..do you think we'll be allowed

-to trade within the European market?

-Would it be a free market or would

-there be hefty tariffs to pay?

-There's nothing free.

-The single market, like Norway

-and Switzerland, has to be paid for.

-105 per head is what Norwegians pay

-for access to the single market.

-They have no influence and must

-comply with the same regulations.

-155 per head is what the UK pays

-but they have negotiating power.

-They're able to influence the

-outcome of many of these policies.

-These are the reasons that people

-will think long and hard about.

-My job is to give the facts

-about what happens at the moment.

-It's up to the people of Wales

-to decide.

-You can't have an a la carte

-Common Agricultural Policy.

-You're either in or you're out.

-I've arrived

-on Bardsey Island safely...

-..as one of the 2,000 visitors

-who come here each year.

-I'm very much looking forward

-to chatting to Sian Stacey...

-..the new manager of this island...

-..where over 20,000 saints

-are apparently buried.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-

-Hello.

-Sian, I'm Daloni.

-Welcome to Bardsey.

-Welcome to Bardsey.

-

-Thank you. It's wonderful here.

-It's lovely.

-It's lovely.

-

-We have fine weather today.

-Shall I get in?

-Shall I get in?

-

-Come in.

-Thanks.

-Sian, you live in paradise.

-It's fantastic here.

-It's fantastic here.

-

-Yes.

-Is it always like this?

-Of course!

-No, we had a very stormy,

-wet winter.

-Days like this make up for it.

-It sometimes feels like

-every day is like this.

-Until the end of last year,

-you were living in Cardiff.

-What made you turn your back

-on the big city...

-..for the depths

-of the Lleyn Peninsula?

-I was at a time of life where I felt

-I wanted a new challenge.

-I was looking for something new.

-Fortunately,

-my partner was living on Bardsey.

-When the job came up,

-I felt I had to go for it.

-How about giving it a go?

-You beat over 300 other applicants.

-That's what I've heard.

-I've been very lucky.

-It's been quite a challenge,

-but I've learned a lot.

-It's great

-to live and work on Bardsey.

-What does your work entail

-from day to day?

-What's your timetable?

-As island manager

-on behalf of the Trust...

-..I'm responsible for looking after

-the houses and walking routes.

-There's a lot of maintenance

-to do on the houses.

-Painting and fixing things.

-Making sure everything works.

-It's all my responsibility.

-There's a lot to consider.

-I've got to-do lists everywhere.

-How does the agricultural system

-work?

-Who owns the sheep and cattle

-and who looks after them?

-Gareth Roberts from Cwrt Farm

-on the mainland owns the livestock.

-There's about 250 sheep here

-and about 25 cattle.

-When they are big enough...

-..they're taken off the island

-on Colin's large boat.

-It's quite a big job.

-Then they're on the farm

-when they arrive on the mainland.

-I'm sure you've learned a lot

-over the last six months.

-Yes, lots of new skills.

-It's been great.

-People are always learning

-throughout their lives.

-I've learned a lot

-over the past six months.

-And a baptism of fire,

-with regards to the weather.

-It's been awfully wet.

-There's no hiding from the rain

-here.

-It's hard work to maintain them

-and ensure everything's OK.

-But that's what I am here to do.

-Do you have enough electricity?

-Do you have a television?

-I'm very lucky.

-We have a solar power system

-which works well over the summer.

-It's quite good in winter, but we

-have to watch which fridges are on.

-What do you miss from the mainland?

-Is there anything

-you can't live without?

-I was worried

-that I'd miss loads of things.

-Living in the city, seeing friends,

-going to the pub.

-But when you're on Bardsey Island,

-everything disappears.

-I've got good relationships

-with the islanders.

-I get different pleasures

-out of living on the island.

-How do you get your food?

-You can't cross when it's rough.

-In the winter, it's difficult.

-We've been very lucky.

-We had to bring lots of tins

-and frozen food.

-I've planted things in the garden...

-..so I'm hoping they come through

-for winter.

-Have you ever been stranded here?

-Not yet.

-We had three or four weeks when

-Colin couldn't cross on the boat.

-That was fairly difficult,

-but we didn't need anything.

-It was nice to receive the post.

-On the whole, we like living here.

-We don't feel as though we're tied

-to the island. It feels like home.

-Now we're coming into summer.

-It's going to be

-very different here.

-It'll be busy with people.

-Every house will be full.

-It's very different

-to just the four of us over winter.

-That's all for now.

-I can understand

-why Sian adores this place.

-It's quiet and lovely.

-It's glorious here today.

-We'll be back on Bardsey Island

-in the second half.

-See you in a minute.

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-Welcome back to Ffermio

-on Bardsey Island.

-As you can see,

-it's beautiful and quiet here.

-Alun, however, is at the centre

-of the hustle and bustle...

-..of a new collection centre

-in Saron near Llanwnda.

-With the Basic Payment...

-..due to reduce considerably

-for many farmers in 2019...

-..and all the doubt

-surrounding the EU referendum...

-..farmers are concerned

-about the future.

-However, here at Pengwern Farm,

-Saron, near Caernarfon...

-..the farmer has acted

-and diversified within the industry.

-After Welsh Country Foods

-folded in North Wales...

-..Huw Jones spotted a chance to use

-his farm as a collection point...

-..for lambs bound for the abattoirs.

-The business is now going

-from strength to strength.

-When did you open

-this collection centre?

-This is the third year now.

-We knew back then even

-that the grants were changing.

-The Basic Payment.

-The Assembly has now let us know

-the actual figures up to 2019.

-The reduction in payment

-from 2015 to 2019 for me...

-..is over 60%.

-How much investment was needed?

-It won't have happened cheaply.

-No. The shed was here before that.

-We've had to change the interior

-completely.

-We concreted the floors

-and put in iron gates.

-That was for power washing.

-The shed is a unit in itself -

-separate from the rest of the farm.

-And a holding number?

-Yes, the shed has one...

-..and a farrier comes

-to check and license it every year.

-And we also have to be part

-of the Red Tractor Initiative...

-..to keep the food chain whole...

-..with Assured Food Standards.

-Diversifying within your

-given industry is quite unusual.

-We're all supposed

-to stay in the industry...

-..and try to squeeze

-some more profit out of the system.

-I understood the message

-and saw an easy way of doing it.

-All we do is take the lambs in.

-Since January, the paperwork

-has got a bit trickier...

-..with the electronic part of it.

-I've had to learn

-how to use a computer.

-It is coming.

-Is there an increasing demand

-for the service?

-Almost 15,000 lambs

-passed through here last year.

-It's still growing at the moment.

-As well as running

-the collection point...

-..Huw also keeps 550 Mule sheep...

-..and fattens around 100 cattle

-every year on his 142 hectares.

-What is your policy

-on sheep on the farm?

-We're cutting back a bit on sheep.

-We're going with the Mule breed...

-..because they produce the same

-number of lambs with fewer ewes.

-We're trying it this year.

-We don't know

-how they'll cope with the mountain.

-We've already tried a group of them.

-We have around

-120 Welsh Mules in the field.

-They go up this afternoon.

-You've cross-bred them

-with your own rams.

-Yes, we've crossed them

-with our Texel rams.

-My son keeps a few Texels

-and we thought we'd give it a go.

-We buy a new ram

-every couple of years or so.

-One person

-who deals a lot with Huw...

-..is Dafydd Wyn Jones,

-a field officer for Dunbia.

-He has years of experience buying

-stock and he's a willing adviser.

-Tell us about your relationship

-with this collection point.

-How did it start?

-It started when the Dunbia bosses...

-..asked me to find a site

-for a collection centre in the area.

-After looking around,

-I decided Huw's place was perfect.

-What inspired the search

-in the first place?

-Were there problems on Anglesey?

-We wanted everything to be legal and

-above board with the authorities.

-We didn't want to have to make

-pick-ups on the roadsides.

-We were trying to make life easier

-for the hauliers.

-Today, our driver, Geraint Davies,

-has two collection points.

-One on Anglesey and the other here.

-The lorry will be full

-with 550 lambs. Job done.

-How do you keep in touch

-with your customers?

-The first thing I do is ring up Andy

-Finch in the abattoir in Preston.

-Andy tells me what he wants,

-what kind he wants and the price.

-Then I send out a text to the 150

-farmers I have on my mobile phone.

-I send messages on Thursdays

-afternoons and Tuesdays mornings.

-We collect here on Sunday

-and Wednesday mornings.

-The phone starts ringing flat out

-ten minutes after I send the text.

-It can be first come first served.

-What's your price right now?

-4.10 for large lambs...

-..and a flat rate of 4.75

-on the smaller lambs under 15 kilos.

-The lambs are sent to Preston...

-..but where is the end

-of the journey for the meat?

-The beauty of Preston is...

-..they can take lambs

-from 8 kilos up to 21 kilos.

-They go for export, supermarkets

-and to the ethnic trade.

-They also go to

-butchers and wholesalers.

-Can cattle come through

-this collection point too?

-We do a lot of cattle,

-which goes to Preston and Sawley.

-We have

-a Hereford cattle meat scheme...

-..with the Co-op and Sainsbury's.

-There's a substantial premium...

-..on the animals that have

-a registered pedigree sire.

-You're giving

-what the customer wants.

-From the bleating of the lambs

-here at Saron...

-..back to the perfect peace

-of Bardsey Island and Daloni.

-Where are these

-20,000 saints buried?

-The legend says it's 20,000.

-I don't really know.

-They are all over the island.

-A lot of them are said to be

-in this section of the island.

-They might be

-under our feet right now.

-No surprise then

-that the land looks so fertile.

-It's very green here.

-Considering we've had such a wet

-winter, everything looks very good.

-Do you feel at home here?

-Yes. Bardsey is my home now.

-When I just cross to the mainland,

-I start to pine for it.

-It's my home for now.

-And this is where you'll stay?

-And this is where you'll stay?

-

-I hope so.

-A place where the soul can breathe.

-Yes, perhaps, if there was time

-off work. I'm very busy here.

-It is lovely.

-Thanks for the chat and the welcome.

-I hope you have a successful summer.

-I'm headed back for the boat.

-Goodbye.

-Our time on Bardsey is over.

-We're sailing back to the mainland.

-If you would like

-to take a holiday on Bardsey...

-..or volunteer to work there

-with Sian...

-..you can do so by contacting

-the Bardsey Island Trust.

-We're back next week when Alun will

-be on the Rhug Estate, Corwen...

-..for the Royal Welsh Grassland

-Event that takes place on Thursday.

-See you then.

-Goodnight.

-S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.

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