‘we need to diversify because Brexit makes us vulnerable’

A sheep and beef farmer who plans to build a 32,000-pullet, free range egg production unit said he needs to diversify because of “Brexit”.
The 2,280 square metre facility, to be built on land near the wind farm tracks outside Cerrigydrudion, was given the green light by Conwy council’s planning committee.
The 667 acre site at Gydros Isaf, Cwmpenanner, is owned by Endaf ap Huw Morris and he made an impassioned plea to councillors in a three-minute speech.
He said: “The agriculture industry is an ever evolving business and whatever your opinion of Brexit it makes the industry very vulnerable.
“We are the third generation to farm this land and I was given the opportunity to join the business by my family 30 years ago.
“As a family we believe it’s very important to offer employment in the agricultural sector. As parents of two teenage children we find ourselves in the same situation as our parents 30 years ago.
“The survival of the beef and sheep sector, which we currently farm, depends greatly on subsidies reserved currently through the EU.
“This will obviously change now and we are looking for an unsubsidised business venture, so it can complement our current farming system and also provide employment for our children.”
The production unit, which falls within the Rhyd y Foel to Abergele Special Landscape Area, would see the free range fowl changed every 14 months, with the site producing 500 tonnes of manure in that time. Conveyors would removed waste every 10 days from the shed.
The committee heard Mr Ap Huw Morris was in discussions with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) about the control of ammonia emissions from the site.
Planning permission was granted on condition that satisfactory plans to deal with the problem were submitted to NRW.

By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter