The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has welcomed the publication of the new Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice for Wales, highlighting it as a step towards improving relationships and long-term sustainability within the tenanted farming sector.
The publication of the Code of Practice follows a collaborative process led by the Welsh Government and key stakeholders, including the Farmers’ Union of Wales.
Tenant farmers play a central role in Welsh agriculture, with around one third of the country’s farmland operated through formal and informal tenancy agreements. The sector provides vital opportunities for new entrants who may not have the capital or family connections to purchase land, while also enabling established farm businesses to expand flexibly. At the same time, tenancy arrangements allow landowners to retain income from their land while ensuring it remains actively farmed - supporting rural economies, communities, and the Welsh language.
The report recognises that despite its importance, the tenanted sector can face challenges around communication, transparency, and fairness between landlords and tenants. In response, the Code of Practice sets out a voluntary framework aimed at fostering stronger, more constructive working relationships across the sector.
At its core, the Code is built on three key principles: clarity, communication and mutual respect. It emphasises the need for open dialogue, clearly defined expectations, and a collaborative approach to resolving issues, while recognising that landlords and tenants may have different but legitimate interests.
The report makes a series of recommendations covering all stages of a tenancy. These include ensuring transparency and full disclosure when offering tenancies, encouraging early and constructive discussions on rent reviews and renewals, and promoting regular engagement between landlords and tenants throughout the life of an agreement. It also highlights the importance of agreeing and documenting responsibilities for repairs, improvements, and investment, as well as supporting tenant access to diversification and environmental schemes where appropriate.
In addition, the Code encourages both parties to address disputes in a timely and proportionate manner, making use of mediation and alternative dispute resolution where possible to reduce costs and maintain relationships. Professional advisers are also expected to play a key role in promoting and upholding the principles of the Code.
While the Code does not introduce new legal obligations, it aims to raise standards of behaviour across the industry and move beyond minimum statutory requirements. By promoting fairness, transparency and cooperation, it seeks to secure a more resilient and forward-looking future for Wales’ vital tenanted farming sector.
Commenting following the publication of the report, FUW President, Ian Rickman said: “Tenant farmers play a key role in the fabric of Wales’ family farm structure, our rural communities and our wider economy. However, over the years many tenants have faced challenges in securing fair agreements, long-term stability and the confidence to invest in their businesses.
"The FUW has welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the development of this Code of Practice, and the publication of this framework represents an important step towards fostering fairer, more transparent and constructive relationships between landlords and tenants. It is vital that this helps to underpin confidence within the tenanted sector and ensures that tenant farmers can continue to thrive as an integral part of Welsh agriculture.”
The new Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice for Wales can be read in full here.
As the Senedd election approaches, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) recently met with Plaid Cymru candidates for Sir Gaerfyrddin to outline the union’s key priorities for the next Senedd and Welsh Government.
The meeting, hosted by FUW Carmarthenshire Chair Huw James, focused on the pressing challenges and emerging opportunities facing Welsh agriculture and rural communities.
Farming near Llanwinio in Carmarthenshire, Mr James is a third-generation farmer who now runs a beef finishing enterprise, having previously operated a dairy holding. He was joined by FUW President Ian Rickman, FUW Animal Health and Dairy Committee Chair Gerwyn Williams and FUW Life Member Brian Thomas.
During discussions with Plaid Cymru Senedd candidates for Sir Gaerfyrddin - Cefin Campbell, Nerys Evans, Adam Price and Mari Arthur - the FUW highlighted the need for the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) to provide stability for Welsh farmers. The union also emphasised the importance of fair and adequate funding for the sector, alongside a proportionate, evidence-led and risk-based approach to water quality regulations.
The meeting also addressed the continued economic and emotional toll bovine TB places on Welsh farming families. As part of its Senedd election manifesto, the FUW is calling for a commitment to develop a scientifically supported, holistic strategy that tackles all sources of infection whilst respecting the need for Welsh family farms to remain economically viable. The Union also stressed the need for sufficient funding to support effective delivery of the programme and ensure fair compensation for affected farmers.
Commenting following the visit, FUW Carmarthenshire Chair, Huw James said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome Cefin, Nerys, Adam and Mari to Tyddyn, and to have the opportunity to discuss first-hand the realities facing family farms here in Carmarthenshire.
“Farmers are dealing with significant uncertainty - from ongoing changes to support schemes to the devastating impact of bovine TB - and it’s vital that future policies provide stability, fairness and a clear long-term vision for our industry.
“Farming is not only central to our food production: it underpins the economic, social and cultural fabric of our rural communities. Supporting the sector means supporting the communities that depend on it, and ensuring they can continue to thrive for generations to come.”
FUW President Ian Rickman added:
“We’re very grateful to the Plaid Cymru candidates for their time, and to Huw and Meryl for hosting this visit - providing a first-hand insight into the changes and challenges facing Welsh farmers.
Between now and May 7th, we look forward to continuing constructive engagement with all parties to ensure our shared priorities are delivered for the benefit of our farmers, rural communities and the wider Welsh economy.”
This year’s Senedd election will see the number of seats increase from 60 to 96, with the new Sir Gaerfyrddin constituency formed from the existing Caerfyrddin and Llanelli Westminster constituencies. The new constituency will elect six Senedd Members via a proportional voting system.
Ahead of May’s Senedd election, farmers were given the opportunity to question political representatives from across Wales’ political parties at a hustings event held at the White Hart Inn, Llandeilo, on Thursday 12 March.
The event was organised by the Carmarthenshire branches of the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), NFU Cymru and Carmarthenshire Young Farmers’ Club (YFC). The hustings provided a platform for party representatives to outline their priorities for agriculture and rural communities, as well as respond directly to questions from the audience.
Those in attendance were Parick Loxdale (Conservative), Rob James (Green), Wayne Erasmus (Gwlad), Calum Higgins (Labour), Justin Griffiths (Liberal Democrat), Cefin Campbell MS (Plaid Cymru), Bernard Holton (Reform), and Steve Williams (Independent).
The discussion was chaired by Carmarthenshire YFC’s Daniel O'Callaghan, with the evening focusing on a range of issues facing Welsh farmers and rural communities, including the Sustainable Farming Scheme, tackling Bovine TB, and pylons.
Commenting following the hustings, Carmarthenshire FUW Chair, Huw James said: “We’re very grateful to all candidates for taking their time to support this event. The discussion highlighted just how critical this election will be for the future of Welsh farming. Key issues including the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), the ongoing challenges surrounding bovine TB, and the future of agricultural budgets were central to the debate.
“It was encouraging to hear representatives set out their positions and respond directly to questions from farmers and rural residents. There are strong views across the sector, and events like this ensure those concerns are heard clearly ahead of polling day.”
This year’s Senedd election will see the number of seats increase from 60 to 96, with the new Sir Gaerfyrddin constituency formed from the existing Caerfyrddin and Llanelli Westminster constituencies. The new constituency will elect six Senedd Members via a proportional voting system.
FUW Insurance Services Ltd is urging farmers and rural residents across Wales to remain vigilant against fuel theft following a sharp rise in fuel and heating oil prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Recent reports, including from Farmers Weekly, indicate that the cost of red diesel has risen significantly in recent weeks, reaching around 109 pence per litre in mid-March, up from approximately 67 pence per litre in February - an increase of over 60%. Heating oil prices have also seen dramatic increases, in many cases more than doubling from around 60 pence per litre to around £1.30 per litre.
These rising costs are having a significant impact on rural communities, where reliance on oil remains high. In areas such as Powys, around 55% of homes are not connected to the gas grid, while in Ceredigion this figure rises to 74%, leaving households and farms reliant on heating oil, and particularly exposed to price fluctuations.
The increase in fuel prices also raises concerns around rural crime. Historically, spikes in fuel costs have been linked to a rise in theft, with farms often targeted due to the presence of fuel tanks and machinery. Such incidents not only result in financial loss but can also lead to environmental damage and pollution if tanks are tampered with or fuel is spilled.
Farmers are being encouraged to take practical steps to protect their property and assets. These include regularly monitoring fuel levels, securing tanks and pumps with appropriate locks and security measures, and installing CCTV where possible. Remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activity can also play a crucial role in preventing theft.
The warning extends beyond farms to other rural buildings such as churches and chapels, village halls and community facilities, which are often reliant on heating oil and may be left unattended for periods of time.
Dafydd Peredur Jones, Senior Account Executive for FUW Insurance Services Ltd said: “Rising fuel prices are placing additional pressure on rural communities, but they also increase the risk of theft. We are urging farmers and rural residents to take proactive steps to protect their fuel supplies and remain vigilant. Simple preventative measures can make a significant difference.”
FUW Insurance Services Ltd continues to support its customers and the wider rural community during this challenging period and encourages anyone with concerns about their insurance cover or security arrangements to get in touch to discuss further.
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
Wales’ two farming Unions, Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) and NFU Cymru have used their joint fringe event at the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ spring conference in Cardiff, to set out some of their shared asks for the next Senedd and Welsh Government term to assembled delegates and politicians.
In the event chaired by Brecon and Radnor MP, David Chadwick, key messages from both Unions’ Senedd elections manifestos were communicated to the audience. Amongst these was the need for the SFS to provide stability for farmers in Wales, the necessity of fair and sufficient funding for Welsh agriculture, a genuinely comprehensive TB eradication strategy which combats the disease in all its sources, a risk-based and evidence-led approach to water quality, and a review of the regulatory burden faced by farmers.
With recent global events now placing additional financial pressures on the sector, NFU Cymru President Abi Reader said: "For well over a decade the amount of funding available to support Welsh farmers has remained cash-flat. Inflation has therefore made significant inroads into the real terms value of this funding, whilst farmers are also facing significant and rising costs associated with regulatory and environmental compliance. The unfolding conflict in the middle east has underscored yet again the importance of ensuring that there is sufficient and secure funding available to support Welsh agriculture, and to ensure our farming families are able to carry on producing the food we need in a volatile world."
Developing Abi’s comments further FUW President, Mr Ian Rickan said: "Had the agricultural budget kept pace with inflation it would now be well in excess of £500 million. We need the next Welsh Government to commit to an inflation adjusted, ring-fenced, multi-annual budget which matches our shared ambitions for the sustainable growth of the sector, with the majority of that funding directed towards stability, productivity, and efficiency gains on-farm."
Delegates also heard from the Unions of how future uplifts to agricultural support funding in Wales are now subject to the Barnett formula, with both NFU Cymru and the FUW setting out their shared concerns about the disadvantage such an arrangement means for Wales. NFU Cymru President Abi Reader said ‘When agriculture plays a more significant role in the national economy than in some other parts of the UK, we need to ensure that future uplifts to agricultural support fairly reflect the size and scale of the sector in Wales, rather than being tied to population size via the Barnett formula.
There were also heartfelt thanks from both Presidents for the support of the Welsh Liberal Democrats during the 14-month battle with the UK Government over its inheritance tax changes. With Abi Reader commenting: "After a long, hard-fought campaign, a fantastic outcome was secured in December when we saw the threshold at which IHT kicks in raised significantly. Whilst the taxation of business assets as if they were personal wealth remains misguided, the adjustment of the thresholds upwards, combined with the transferability of the allowance now places most family farms in Wales outside the reach of this destructive tax and that is something to be welcomed."
Bringing proceedings to a close Mr Rickman said: "Both Unions have today emphasised how fair and sustainable funding, evidence-based policymaking and regulatory reform will all be crucial to safeguarding the viability and long-term sustainability of Welsh agriculture.
"On behalf of the FUW and NFU Cymru I want to say a big thank you to David Chadwick MP for chairing this afternoon’s session and to all those who came along, listened, and contributed to the discussion. Between now and May the 7th we look forward to continuing constructive engagement with all parties to ensure our shared asks are delivered for the benefit of our farmers, rural communities, and the wider Welsh economy.”
