I recently attended the SIA International Agricultural Show in Paris, with two farmers from the Vale of Clwyd.

The show is the largest in France, and even though it doesn't have the atmosphere of the Royal Welsh Show, it is one of the best shows in Europe.

The livestock aren't quite as good as Welsh stock, but the food and drink sections were outstanding.

We were amazed that Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) was not there. Eblex, the meat promotion body for England, had a big stand there.

I read last week that HCC was doing a big push in Paris, with television adverts telling everyone that Wales has PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status, but so has Scotland and other countries.

The French are experts at showing off their produce and promoting regional produces.

I was over in Holland in February and every shop selling meat and cheese promoted the country as well.

I think that we as producers should do more to promote our country with the Welsh dragon logos, etc.

Some of our spring lamb will be processed this week at 40kg liveweight, ready for the Easter trade, and we will be marketing it as top quality Welsh spring lamb which will not be available in supermarkets.

I read recently that Brazilian beef is on the way back with a vengeance after the EU inspected some of the farms and passed them as being up to EU standards. It was only a matter of time!

I also read about a local dealer receiving a fine and costs totalling £8,000. Were these magistrates having a bad day? If he had mugged an elderly person he would have been given community service! The six-day movement rule is unworkable. I know how hard he works and how good a farmer he is, but that's bureaucracy.

We were subject to a sheep count by DEFRA last week. So that means more paperwork.

Elin Jones, minister for rural affairs, released a statement saying that she would reduce paperwork for farmers, but in the past two months when we take pigs to slaughter we now have to fill in four pieces of paper instead of the previous one sheet of paper.

In the news we see farmers having their cattle destroyed because they have no eartags.

These people are no criminals, they just need help with the increasing amount of paperwork and bureaucracy.