FUW urges the incoming Welsh Government to develop bespoke, tailor-made policies that reflect global realities as well as Welsh economic, social and environmental needs

Five years ago, ahead of the 2016 Welsh Senedd elections, the Farmers’ Union of Wales warned of the unprecedented challenges facing the incoming Senedd Members and Government. Since then those challenges have not only materialised but been exacerbated and added to. 

Outlining the big issues facing agriculture in Wales at a press conference, which launched the FUW’s 2021 Welsh Senedd Election Manifesto, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The materialisation of a far harder form of Brexit than had been promised by those who lobbied for our departure from the EU has restricted access to our main export markets on the continent in ways which are only beginning to be felt. 

“At the same time, the on-going Covid-19 pandemic has changed our lives beyond recognition and has highlighted the fragility of global food supply chains and the importance of a strong farming sector on which our domestic markets should be able to rely for commodity products.

“While such issues have been largely beyond the control of our devolved administrations, the reaction of the Welsh Government to the uncertainty and challenges faced by our agriculture sector has at times been bewildering and counterintuitive, not least in terms of its appetite for drastically increasing costs and restrictions while advocating untried and untested reforms of rural support policies.”

Meanwhile, UK Government cuts to Welsh rural funding - in direct contradiction to promises made repeatedly by those who advocated Brexit - have added to the pressures on Welsh agriculture, the rural economy and Welsh Government, said the Union President.

FUW hosts virtual hustings across Wales

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is hosting a series of hustings to ensure that farmers have the opportunity to quiz the prospective Welsh Senedd candidates across Wales ahead of the Welsh Senedd elections in May. The hustings, which will take place via Zoom, will give members the opportunity to hear from the candidates about their respective parties’ policies for agriculture. 

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The upcoming Welsh Senedd Elections in May are of vital importance to the agriculture sector in Wales and the incoming Welsh Government will be facing unprecedented challenges. 

“In the next few weeks we will have the chance to seek commitments from aspiring Senedd members in the numerous virtual hustings being held. There will be no need to travel and no need to be away from the farm. 

FUW rejects key Welsh agriculture white paper proposals and calls for genuine Welsh policy

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has rejected the key proposals for the future of agricultural support in Wales set out in the Welsh Government’s agriculture white paper, and called for a genuine Welsh policy to be developed to meet Welsh objectives.

The Agriculture (Wales) White Paper sets out Welsh Government policy proposals for a legislative framework governing Welsh agriculture, as well as forestry and woodlands, over the coming decades. 

Central to the proposals would be moves to ratchet up rules and restrictions, and base farm support payments purely on the delivery of ‘public goods’ - an academic term that in most cases means environmental benefits such as clean air, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

“We of course agree that public goods should be an important part of a future rural support scheme, but delivering employment, economic, social and cultural prosperity should also be fundamental principles that underpin the design of future support mechanisms,” said FUW president Glyn Roberts. 

“We have a proud history of designing agricultural policy for Wales and have previously deviated significantly from English policies - much to our benefit - and we should continue to do so.

FUW welcomes new ‘Extra Special’ Welsh lamb product in stores for Easter

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the addition of a new, luxury Welsh Lamb product, which will be available in a leading supermarket ready for consumers to celebrate Easter.

Asda supermarkets will be stocking a new half Welsh Lamb leg joint in time for Easter celebrations from March 27 – April 5 as part of their ‘Extra Special’ range. The Extra Special Welsh Half Lamb Leg will be available in selected stores across the UK.

The new product has been created with celebrations in mind and is described as being ‘Prepared with succulent Welsh Lamb, with a full-flavoured gravy infused with roast garlic and deep Ruby Port, all finished with fragrant rosemary for a delicious Easter roast.’ An oven-ready product, it allows families and couples a convenient and delicious way to serve an Easter celebration meal.

Lamb has proven to be a popular product over the last 12 months, with more people choosing the protein over the lockdown period. The most recent data shows that the volume of lamb sold in the UK between December and February has increased by 16.4% compared with 2020 figures.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: "This is a most welcome step in the right direction. Given the uncertainty our farmers face over future trade deals, supporting local suppliers is key to ensuring we have thriving, sustainable family farms here in Wales. 

FUW welcomes creation of all-Wales Rural and Wildlife Crime Coordinator

The announcement by Welsh Government Minister of Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths, that a dedicated all-Wales Rural and Wildlife Crime Coordinator role will be established, has been welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales. 

In her announcement, the Minister agreed to provide funding for the 12 month pilot role and has written to the Chief Constables of the 4 Welsh police forces and the Police and Crime Commissioners seeking their cooperation and support to appoint an all-Wales Rural and Wildlife Crime Coordinator.

Responding to the news, FUW Deputy President Ian Rickman said: “This is good news for our rural and farming communities who continue to suffer the effects of rural and wildlife crime. At a recent livestock worrying webinar, hosted by the FUW and Wales YFC, we heard first hand about the challenges our police forces face in order to deal with such crimes effectively and the devastating impact such crimes have on our farmers.”

Mr Rickman added that whilst police forces in Wales have made great progress over the years and the North Wales rural crime team have provided a blueprint for excellence, a Wales wide effort in tackling rural crime should not be delayed.

“Rural and wildlife crime costs the industry dearly every year - financially and emotionally. We must learn the lessons from those police forces who have already made great strides in tackling rural and wildlife crime and adopting an all Wales approach will go a long way in effectively tackling the issues police forces deal with on a force by force basis,” he said. 

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