The Glamorgan branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has elected Charlotte Llewellyn, the daughter of FUW Glamorgan founding member John Llewellyn, as its new vice-chair.
Charlotte farms 225ac at Cefn Colstyn Farm, Pentyrch, on the outskirts of Cardiff.
She farms 25 purebred Limousin suckler cows and 64 Meatlinc breeding ewes. Her farm is organic and fertiliser has not been used for approximately 30 years.
Her father, John Llewellyn, passed away in 2018 and left “a legacy of work” behind, according to the union, which Charlotte said she hopes to continue.
Commenting on her appointment, Charlotte said: “I’m honoured to have been elected as the county’s vice-chair and look forward to working with union officials, staff and members to ensure that we have thriving, sustainable family farms here in the county of Glamorgan.
“In the last 30 years or so Cardiff has expanded so we have gone from a rural setting with a few small villages to now finding ourselves on the urban fringe, farming in the suburbs.
“There is an obvious divide between town and country and I hope that in my role I can help to bridge that gap and foster better understanding on both sides of the fence.”
Climate change
Llewellyn is passionate about renewable energy, but is concerned that food production could be compromised as part of a local land grab.
“There are many misconceptions out there about the role farming plays in the climate emergency and indeed renewable energy is among some of the tools we have to have a positive impact on the climate crisis,” she said.
“However, the situation is complex and both the UK and Welsh governments must step up efforts that restore growth in the industry by encouraging on-farm production of renewable energy without compromising food production and agricultural land.
“In my new role as vice-chair, I look forward to tackling these, and many other farming matters, with our elected representatives on behalf of the members of Glamorgan.”
