Earlier this month, FUW President Ian Rickman took to the Senedd to hear testimonies from Macmillan Cancer Support and the Farming Community Network (FCN) on the importance of reducing barriers to cancer care for rural and farming communities as part of the #NipItInTheBud campaign.

Representatives highlighted compelling data showing that people living in rural areas are often diagnosed with more advanced cancer and are approximately 5% less likely to survive compared with those in urban communities. This stark cancer survival disparity reflects the unique challenges rural dwellers face in accessing early diagnosis and treatment.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has used its annual Farmhouse Breakfast event, held on Wednesday (21 January) at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay, to set out its key manifesto priorities ahead of May’s Senedd election, once again calling to safeguard three simple, yet fundamental principles: land, family and heritage.

Sponsored this year by Samuel Kurtz MS, the flagship Cardiff Bay event brought together politicians, industry stakeholders and FUW office holders for a traditional ‘farmhouse’ breakfast, highlighting the best of Welsh produce while showcasing the vital role agriculture plays in Wales.

The gathering marked part of the wider FUW Farmhouse Breakfast Week, a series of events designed to bring rural communities together and raise money for charity. In total, 23 breakfasts are being held across Wales in January 2026, attracting hundreds of attendees and raising thousands for charities, including the Wales Air Ambulance.

With just over 100 days remaining until the Senedd election, FUW President Ian Rickman used his address to highlight the Union’s call for a fair financial framework for the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), as it moves from years of consultation and debate into its delivery phase.

As part of its manifesto priorities, the Farmers’ Union of Wales is calling on the next Welsh Government to increase the base-level funding of £238 million allocated to the Universal Layer of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). The Union argues that funding must be uplifted to fully mitigate the scheme’s projected economic impacts while supporting its long-term ambitions.

FUW President Ian Rickman also highlighted the vital role family farms play in sustaining Wales’s landscapes, rural communities and cultural heritage. He stressed the need for meaningful progress in tackling bovine TB, alongside a genuine commitment to strengthening the Welsh food system amidst growing challenges.

The event was also attended by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca Davies MS. In his speech, the Deputy First Minister thanked the FUW for their close collaboration as part of the Sustainable Farming Scheme discussions. He also took the opportunity to announce a mandatory, standardised system for classifying sheep carcasses and price reporting that comes into force on 28 January.

As part of his speech, FUW President, Ian Rickman said:

“After almost a decade of discussion, debate - and at spirited times disagreement - the Sustainable Farming Scheme now moves from design into delivery, marking a generational shift in how Welsh farming is supported and sustained.

As I have said consistently since July, the Scheme is not perfect, and there remains important work to be done.

“As farmers now begin to familiarise themselves with what the Scheme means for their businesses, I have every confidence we will do what Welsh farmers have always done best: adapt, innovate, and move forward.”

“However, ambition must be matched by realism. Welsh farmers cannot - and should not - be expected to do more for less. If the Scheme is to succeed, it must be underpinned by an increased budget and a robust financial framework - learning from the Welsh Government’s own impact assessments, and securing the stability and long-term certainty that Wales’ farm businesses and agri-food supply chains require.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales will be supporting the GWCT’s Big Farmland Bird County again this year, encouraging farmers and landowners to take a moment to pose and record the birdlife on their farms between 6 and 22 February 2026.

Taking place each February, the Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC) invites farmers, land managers and gamekeepers to spend just 30 minutes recording birds they see or hear on their land. Heading into the 12th year, this simple, accessible activity repeated across Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, builds an invaluable long-term picture of how our farmland bird species are faring.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) will start the year on a tasty and charitable note with the return of their annual Farmhouse Breakfast Week. 

As part of the week, over 20 breakfast events will be held across the length and breadth of Wales, bringing rural communities together over a hearty meal while raising money for local and national charities.

A full list of the FUW Farmhouse breakfast week locations can be found here or at the bottom of this article. 

Last year, Farmhouse Breakfast Week raised over £21,000, including more than £13,500 for the FUW President’s charity, the Wales Air Ambulance.

This year, the week will also highlight the upcoming Senedd election in May, as the FUW urges the next Senedd and Welsh Government to provide stability, sustainability, and long-term support for Welsh family farms. A breakfast in Cardiff Bay, sponsored by Samuel Kurtz MS, will bring politicians and stakeholders together to discuss the future of farming in Wales.

The Farmhouse Breakfast Week will also provide farmers with the chance to learn more about the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) and the expert services and support the FUW offers locally as the scheme moves from design to delivery.

Ahead of the start of the FUW Farmhouse Breakfast week, FUW President, Ian Rickman said:"January can be a challenging time for farmers, with short days, cold weather, and plenty to do on the farm. The Farmhouse Breakfast Week offers a perfect opportunity for farmers, friends, and our rural communities to come together, share the load, and enjoy a hearty breakfast.

With the crucial Senedd election just months away, this year’s breakfast will also provide a platform to highlight the FUW’s key election priorities: stability, sustainability, and long-term support for Welsh family farms.

There’s a warm welcome to everyone to join us - and we look forward to successful events in kitchens, community centres and cafes across Wales again this year, celebrating the best of local produce and raising funds for important charitable causes, including the Wales Air Ambulance charity."

The week will once again be supported by FUW Insurance Services Ltd, recently named in the prestigious Insurance Age Top 100 Brokers list for 2025. 

FUW Insurance Services provides tailored insurance solutions for agricultural, commercial, and personal needs, from farm and smallholding cover to life, home, and motor insurance, with a focus on personalised local service across Wales. Their team works closely with specialist insurers to ensure farms, rural businesses, and individuals are properly protected, with profits reinvested back into supporting the Union’s work for Welsh farmers.

Ann Beynon OBE, Chair of FUW Insurance Services, said:

"We’re delighted to be supporting the Farmhouse Breakfast Week once again this year. Rooted at the heart of rural communities, our business is proud to help bring people together to celebrate exceptional local Welsh produce, enjoy the company of friends and neighbours, and to explain how our services play a vital role in supporting rural businesses.

The week perfectly showcases the strength and spirit of rural Wales – all over a plate of breakfast. We’re also incredibly grateful to the local producers and volunteers whose support helps make it possible year after year."

Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) is not regulated by the FCA. FUW Insurance Services is a trading style of FUW Insurance Services Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registration number 615251. Registered Office: Llys Amaeth, Plas Gogerddan, ABERYSTWYTH, SY23 3BT. Registered in England & Wales number 07981993