The FUW’s Policy Team is responsible for guiding and collating members’ views through the Union’s twelve County Branches and eleven Policy Committees. Policy staff constantly monitor the latest agricultural developments in order to advise and lobby governments and bodies whose decisions affect Welsh agriculture.
The Policy Department strives to achieve the best policy outcomes for FUW members. These services benefit the entire FUW membership to a huge degree, including those that don’t necessarily receive a direct service through the County Branches.
Policy decisions made by governments have a direct impact on farming businesses but also on the services the Union provides directly to members, and therefore it is also essential that the Policy Department provides direct support and advice to the County Branches.
FUW Democratic Structure
Gareth Parry, Head of Policy
As Head of Policy, Gareth is responsible for directing and managing the Union's Policy Team alongside leading on some fundamental areas such as the Sustainable Farming Scheme, International Trade and Agricultural Budgets. He is also responsible for directing the servicing of Standing Committees of the Council of the Union which are central to the grassroots democratic structure of the FUW.
Gareth has a family background in agriculture and now lives on a mixed beef and sheep farm near Aberystwyth. Prior to joining the Policy Team, he completed a degree in Agriculture and Business Studies at Aberystwyth University with first class honours.
Elin Jenkins, Policy Officer
Elin joined the FUW Policy Department in 2021, having worked as an Administration Assistant supporting FUW members in Ceredigion since 2015. She leads on policy matters relating to animal health and welfare, antimicrobial resistance, animal identification and dairy. She also facilitates the FUW Animal Health and Welfare and Milk and Dairy Produce Committees.
Educated to a degree level in Microbiology and Zoology at Aberystwyth University with a background in farming, she has a keen interest in animal diseases which complements her responsibilities within the FUW.
Having grown up on a smallholding rearing pedigree Texel sheep and now married to a dairy farmer, Elin has her priorities firmly set in supporting, protecting and advancing the interests of Welsh family farms for the next generation.
Teleri Fielden, Policy Officer
Teleri is a first generation beef and sheep tenant farmer living in Nantmor, Gwynedd. Teleri joined the Policy team in 2020 and leads on environmental issues such as Climate Change and Biodiversity.
Teleri studied Geography with Agriculture at Aberystwyth University, and has a CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing and a diploma in ‘Agriculture Écologique’ from farming in the Rhone Alps for two years. She has previously worked in various food, farming and environmental roles for the National Trust, the Oakland Food Policy Council, Radnorshire Wildlife Trust and Total Food Marketing/Mentera supporting Welsh food and drink businesses. She sees representing the industry and her local farming community as a true honour.
Gemma Haines, Policy Officer
Gemma is a first generation farmer who lives on the outskirts of Bridgend, South Wales. She has a native sheep and beef enterprise and is a common land grazier.
Gemma studied Environmental Conservation Management with the University of Glamorgan but went on to develop a specialist interest in sustainable farming practices. She joined the Policy team in 2024 having previously held the role of Deputy County officer for Glamorgan and Gwent. Within the Policy Department she takes lead on policy matters relating to Water Quality, Commodities and Common Land.
Lauren Price, Senedd and Parliamentary Affairs Officer
Lauren joined the FUW in October 2023 as the Senedd and Parliamentary Affairs Officer. She lives near Builth Wells with her young family and gained her passion for farming from her parents who are fourth generation tenant farmers.
After leaving education, Lauren worked in professional horse racing yards, before pursuing a career in the hospitality trade as a pub landlord of two rural pubs and hotels. Her keen interest in politics developed throughout her varied career in rural Wales and she took the opportunity to begin a profession working in politics when it arose during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lauren enjoys the challenge of engaging with politicians and feels privileged to be at the heart of lobbying for the agricultural industry and communities she is so passionate about.
Rebecca Voyle, Special Policy Advisor
Rebecca joined the FUW in 2001, as the County Executive Officer in Pembrokeshire. Whilst she continues in this role she also has a part time role in the Policy Department focussing on RPW Online and Welsh Government scheme implementation.
