How quickly the weeks go by. After a very busy festive season when all the family visited us here on the farm our willing helpers have returned to school, the days are lengthening and it is nearly time to scan the ewes.

Now that the politicians and government officials in both Westminster and Cardiff have had a break, I hope minds will be concentrated on the Brexit problem. All businesses, including farming, are in limbo and the deadline of March 29 is approaching rapidly.

This year HSE (Health and Safety Executive) is planning to visit 100 farms in Wales in January, February and March 2019. The inspections will cover all aspects of farm safety but will focus on child safety, transport and machinery, cattle, working at heights and overhead cables.

HSE has published a new guidance ‘What a good farm looks like’. It is available free online from the HSE website: www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/resources/good-farm.htm. More information on HSE priorities for farm inspections is available at www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/

NFU members can access more information about on-farm safety by ringing NFU CallFirst 03708 458 458 with your membership number and password. The CallFirst team can send hard copies of the Health and Safety business guides. Alternatively, you can log on to the NFU online web page, click on NFU membership which will give you a drop down box including ‘business guides’, click ‘index’ and you will be offered ‘health and safety guides’ (in green boxes) to read or to print out.

It was exciting news to hear that our past NFU president Meurig Raymond from Pembrokeshire has received a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to agriculture. He worked tirelessly for farmers in England and Wales as an officeholder for 14 years. Congratulations Meurig.

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