WDA – CALU OFFICIAL OPENING PR 6/07/05

CALU SHOWS MINISTER NOVEL WAYS TO BOOST FARM INCOMES

WALES’ newest Development Centre for agricultural excellence will be officially opened this Friday (July 15) by Minister for the Environment, Planning and Countryside, Carwyn Jones.

The Centre for Alternative Land Use (CALU), has been developed under the Farming Connect scheme - which helps farming families make the most of their businesses by means of a range of services including business and specialist agricultural advice, training, information, and investment grants.

The Centre focuses specifically on the areas of horticulture, novel crops, novel livestock, biomass and farm woodlands.

Based at the Henfaes Research Station, part of the University of Wales Bangor, it aims to become the focal point for technology transfer across a range of non-commodity enterprises. It also provides support to existing horticultural firms keen to develop their businesses.

It is run under the directorship of Professor Gareth Edwards-Jones from the University’s School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences in partnership with ADAS Wales Ltd, the Welsh College of Horticulture, Coed Cymru, and Coleg Llysfasi.

“We are delighted that CALU is up and working. With the new changes in the Common Agricultural Policy and world markets we think land use diversification is a great opportunity for Welsh farmers,” said Professor Edwards-Jones.

“The Centre will bring the best available information to Welsh farmers so
that they can capitalise on this opportunity.”

The Centre believes the advent of the new Single Farm Payment Scheme – which decouples financial support from food production – means alternative enterprises are becoming an attractive idea for many farmers.

“The areas CALU focuses on offer real economic potential for farmers who want
to diversify without turning their backs on land-based production,” said
 CALU Manager, Geraint Hughes.

The opening of CALU brings the Wales-wide Farming Connect network of specialist Development Centres to five – the others being for the dairy, beef and sheep, organic and grassland sectors.

CALU has various projects under-way, and during the summer farmers and other interested people will have the
opportunity to see first-hand various novel crops, such as non-conventional
cereal crops, fibre crops, oilseed crops and biomass crops, growing on

Welsh farms.

CALU is keen for farmers to take up the challenge of diversifying to these alternative land uses, and encourages the formation of business development and discussion groups that can be funded through the Centre. Interested farmers should contact their local Farming Connect facilitator.

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more information about CALU’s services ring 01248 680450 or email calu@bangor.ac.uk

For general Farming Connect information and details of your local facilitator ring 08456 000813 or visit www.farmingconnect.co.uk

Farming Connect offers a range of services to help farming families adapt to changes in the industry, become more sustainable and better understand the market place.

The Welsh Assembly Government, Welsh Development Agency and other partners deliver these services. It is supported by the European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund of the European Union.