The Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) is supporting the #DoNotWaitVaccinate campaign,  encouraging farmers to talk to their vets about vaccinating their livestock against Bluetounge virus.

The campaign is led by the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group, including the Wales Veterinary Science Centre (WVSC) and Iechyd Da, and aims to encourage and educate farmers about vaccinating their livestock.

Bluetounge

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a potentially fatal infectious,  yet non-contagious, disease that is spread by midges. It affects wild and domestic ruminants such as sheep, goats and cattle. The virus does not infect humans and there is no risk to public health or food safety.

Since 1 July 2025, the Welsh Government has introduced limits on moving livestock from England into Wales in response to the spread of the bluetongue virus.

Livestock keepers should contact your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office immediately on 0300 303 8268 if you suspect Bluetongue.

Vaccination 

As there is no treatment for the disease, BTV-3 continues to pose a significant threat to both cattle and sheep with potential impacts on animal health, productivity, and trade. Therefore one of the tools in the box that can be utilised in slowing the spread of disease is vaccination.

#DoNotWaitVaccinate 

As part of the #DoNotWaitVaccinate campaign, the Farmers’ Union of Wales is encouraging livestock keepers to discuss the merits of vaccination of their animals with their private vet. 

One farmer who has decided to vaccinate his livestock is dairy farmer Michael Williams from Pembrokeshire. Commenting he said:

“I’ve made the decision to vaccinate because animal welfare is a top priority for us at our farm. When a new threat approaches, we must act responsibly for the benefit of all and use whatever tools are available".

Meanwhile, FUW Gwent Vice-Chair, Verity Vater, a sheep farmer near the England and Wales border, added:

"As soon as my local vets sent out their email to say that the Bluetongue vaccine was available, I was straight on the phone to them to discuss vaccination.

We have great livestock in Wales and vaccination is a way we can all look to protect them from Bluetongue."

For more information about Bluetounge, contact your local vet or visit the Welsh Government website.

The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) is set to mark a significant milestone at the 2025 Royal Welsh Show, opening its pavilion doors to celebrate 70 years since its establishment.

As the flagship agricultural event opens its gates in Llanelwedd from July 21st to the 24th, the FUW will reflect on its proud history of championing Welsh family farms while firmly setting its sights on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Welsh agriculture.

Foundation

Established in 1955, the FUW was born from a belief that the distinct interests of Welsh farmers required an independent and dedicated voice. For seven decades, the Union has since stood as a steadfast advocate, securing formal government recognition in 1978 and consistently working to ensure the economic viability and sustainability of family farms across Wales.

Today, the FUW's founding principles of thriving, sustainable family farms continue at the heart of the Union’s work, as we represent and support thousands of members across Wales.

As part of the celebrations, a special panel discussion will be held at the FUW pavilion on Wednesday 23 July 2025 at 11:00. Chaired by renowned broadcaster Dei Tomos, the panel will bring together a range of familiar faces to reflect on seven decades of the FUW. The event will discuss the changes and challenges over the years, and address the evolving landscape facing the future of Welsh agriculture.

Tickets will also be on sale for the FUW’s special birthday raffle, with a chance to win a Honda TRX420 FE1 (Electric Shift) ATV and safety helmet worth in excess of £10,000.  Tickets are available for the bargain price of £5 each and will be on sale at the FUW pavilion throughout the week, and can also be purchased online. Profits for the raffle will go towards the Wales Air Ambulance.

Future 

As well as an opportunity to reflect on the Union’s history, the Show also offers a crucial opportunity to look forward, with a particular focus on future farm funding frameworks, and what work can be done to incentivise and support the next generation of farmers.

With the industry waiting in anticipation for the final Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), a question and answer session at the FUW pavilion on Monday morning at 11:00 will provide an opportunity to hear the FUW's reaction and our efforts to improve the Scheme design over recent months. Chaired by Farmers Weekly reporter, Anne Dunn, FUW Head of Policy, Gareth Parry, will be joined by Welsh Government’s Mark Alexander, providing an opportunity for members and the public to ask questions on the Scheme design and expectations.

Wednesday morning will also provide insight on future farm funding, with the FUW hosting a discussion focused on the Welsh Government’s new Ffermio Bro agri-environment scheme, with a discussion on how it can support farmers and nature in National Parks and Designated Landscapes in Wales. Representatives from the FUW, Ffermio Bro team and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park will be present at the discussion at 9:30am at the FUW pavilion on Wednesday morning. 

Looking towards the future, Tuesday will see the FUW launch their policy report ‘A Mandate for Future Farmers’, outlining the Union’s vision to increase the opportunities for young farmers and new entrants in Wales. The document will outline key asks of both the Welsh and UK governments, as well as the wider farming community, to nurture the next generation of farmers. Held at the FUW pavilion on Tuesday morning at 11:15, the launch will provide an opportunity for an array of young farmers and new entrants to share their own experiences, as well as insight from representatives from Wales’ Young Farmers Clubs and Farming Connect. 

Commenting ahead of the Royal Welsh Show, FUW President Ian Rickman said:

“The Royal Welsh Show is the highlight of Wales’ agricultural calendar. I cannot wait to be in Llanelwedd once again this year, catching up with members, engaging with politicians and stakeholders, and having an opportunity to partake in discussions focusing on the changes and challenges facing Welsh agriculture.

“With the FUW celebrating our 70th birthday, this year’s Show offers a unique opportunity to look both backwards and forwards - commemorating our foundation with events focused on the future of Welsh farming.

"You'll find a warm welcome at the FUW pavilion throughout the week. We're eager to speak with everyone as we celebrate our achievements of standing strong for family farms over the past seven decades, and cast our eyes forward to the next 70 years of Welsh agriculture."

Beyond the exciting events and celebrations, the FUW pavilion will be a hub of activity all week. Members and the public alike can stop by for tea, coffee, and refreshments.

Embracing a family-friendly approach, the FUW is also looking forward to selling milkshakes in the Lle Llaeth, meanwhile a ‘name the cow’ competition, a cow milking competition and a virtual reality ATV experience are sure to provide entertainment for all the family. For those who enjoy live music, the popular Welsh language group Bwncath will be returning to the pavilion for a gig on Tuesday night. Tickets are available online here.

A full timeline of FUW events and discussions throughout the Royal Welsh can be found here.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has welcomed a new three-year Wales Rural Crime Strategy following its launch in Cardiff today by the Welsh Government.

The Wales Rural Crime Strategy (2025-2028) has been launched to enhance protection for rural communities and wildlife across Wales.

Announced at the Wales Wildlife & Rural Crime Conference, attended by nearly 100 delegates, the strategy continues the collaboration between Welsh police forces and the Welsh Government following the previous launch of the initial strategy in 2023.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies highlighted the national and international significance of rural crime, including its links to organised crime, and emphasised the crucial role of multi-partner collaboration.

The new strategy outlines six priority areas: Bird Crime, Farm Crime, Habitats, Heritage Crime, Mammals and European Protected Species, and Networking Rural Support Services - the latter uniquely addressing mental health vulnerabilities in rural communities.

The Welsh Government also committed to funding the Wales Wildlife and Rural Crime Coordinator position for a further three years, recognising the pivotal role this position plays in coordinating efforts across the country.

Additionally, Gwent Police announced plans to expand its rural crime team, strengthening enforcement capabilities and providing enhanced support to farming communities and wildlife protection across the region.

Commenting following the launch of the Wales Rural Crime Strategy, FUW Policy Officer, Gemma Haines said:

“Rural crime continues to inflict significant emotional and economic damage on Welsh farmers.

The FUW therefore welcomes the new Rural Crime Strategy, particularly the commitment that Farm Crime will be a priority area of focus over the next three years.

Our members have long advocated for an increased emphasis and resources from Welsh police forces to combat these issues, and we are hopeful that this strategy will serve as a vital catalyst for action.

"The expansion of the Gwent Police Rural Crime team is a particularly encouraging development, and we continue to urge Welsh Police forces to ensure adequate resources and support mechanisms are dedicated to tackling crime in our rural communities.

We also welcome the Welsh Government’s commitment to funding the Wales Wildlife & Rural Crime Coordinator position for a further three years, and look forward to continuing our close collaboration to address the scourge of rural crime."

More details about the launch of the Rural Crime Strategy can be found on the Welsh Government’s website.

As the UK marks the first anniversary of Labour's 2024 general election victory on July 4th, the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) has renewed calls for the government to extend the same flexibility shown on other controversial policies to the vital agricultural sector, specifically regarding drastic changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR).

Over the past year, domestic policy has been dominated by three contentious government measures which have sparked public and backbench unrest - specifically the Winter Fuel Payment, welfare benefit reform, and changes to Agricultural Property Relief.

The initial plan to scrap the universal Winter Fuel Payment caused significant public unrest. However, following considerable pressure, the government performed a substantial U-turn, restoring payments for most pensioners, with the Chancellor clarifying that those with an annual income under £35,000 would remain eligible.

Similarly, proposed changes to welfare benefits, particularly Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), faced a major backbench rebellion. As a result, these reforms were significantly watered down in a vote earlier this week - demonstrating the government's willingness to buckle under public and political pressure.

"The old saying goes, 'things come in threes'," said Ian Rickman, Farmer’s Union of Wales President.

"Having shown they can listen and adapt on both the Winter Fuel Payment and broader welfare benefit reform, the government must now apply that same pragmatic approach and revisit the changes to APR before irreversible damage is inflicted upon a sector vital to Wales and the wider UK."

Drastic changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) were announced in the Autumn Budget 2024 and set to take effect from April 6, 2026. Despite the Prime Minister's earlier insistence that a "vast majority" of Welsh farmers would remain unaffected, previous analysis from the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) suggests up to 48% of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) recipients in Wales could be subject to the new inheritance tax proposals. The FUW has argued that if this reform remains unchanged, the consequences for farmers, rural communities, and food production in Wales could be devastating and irreversible.

Since these proposals first emerged, the FUW has consistently urged the government to reconsider the policy. However, despite the industry's dire warnings, growing unease among many government backbenchers, and a recent call from Westminster’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee for a delay, these appeals appear to have fallen on deaf ears, and the April 2026 implementation deadline is now rapidly approaching.

Ian Rickman added:

"As the FUW has consistently argued, the aim is not to scrap the policy entirely, but rather, we seek targeted adjustments that prevent hardworking family farms from being crippled by these changes. Instead of an approach comparable to a sledgehammer cracking a nut, the FUW has sought the opportunity to design a policy with HM Treasury that genuinely works for family businesses and effectively closes the existing loopholes that allow non-farming investors to benefit disproportionately, perhaps through a 'clawback' mechanism on assets sold after inheritance."

“Failure to revisit this ill-thought-out policy risks undermining the very foundations of multi-generational family farms, impacting food security and the rural economy for generations to come.”