At the time of writing this column, Boris Johnson has been to Brussels to have talks with the President of the European Union to hopefully try and get a deal on EU and UK trade, writes NFU chairman Hugh Besent.

What a good Christmas present it would be for UK plc and farmers if a deal can be struck. Without a trade deal, movement of goods both to and from the EU will be a lot more complicated and costly.

The future of the lamb trade to the continent will be seriously damaged with the imposition of tariffs. Should this trade not happen, not only would sheep farmers be adversely affected but also processors further down the line.

I would urge our MP, Craig Williams, to back calls for a deal sooner rather than later.

In better news this week, Covid-19 vaccinations have begun and hopefully it will not be long before everyone gets vaccinated.

Vaccinations have come a long way since the days of the Jesty family, and then Edward Jenner, who gave cow pox to prevent smallpox, hence the name from the Latin for cow, ‘vaccus’.

Disease control doesn’t seem to be Welsh Government’s strong point with high levels of TB still prevalent on farms, especially in my neck of the woods.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency promised to look at our area to see why there have been so many cases locally – but I am still waiting.

This will be my last piece before Christmas, and next year I will be without my NFU Cymru County Adviser, Joe Mault.

Unfortunately, he has been ‘nicked’ by my colleague from Clwyd to lecture at Llysfasi College.

The NFU Cymru team are looking for his replacement but Joe’s shoes will be difficult to fill.

May I wish all readers a happy Christmas and hopefully next year will be nothing like as difficult and life can get back to some sort of normality.