FUW highlights Sustainable Farming Scheme priorities during visit with new Senedd Member
The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) recently welcomed Gŵyr Abertawe's newly elected Senedd Member, John Davies MS, to Cathelyd Isaf, Cwm Clydach, on the outskirts of Swansea, to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Welsh agriculture.
Hosted by farmer Ann Lewis, the visit provided an opportunity to showcase the farm's successful diversification. Having previously operated a suckler beef enterprise, Ann has since diversified into pig rearing, establishing the Mochyn Mawr business. The farm now rears several native breeds, including Large Black, Welsh, Saddleback and Pietrain pigs, with its free-range pork sold directly from the farm and at a range of local markets.
Discussions during the visit focused on the Welsh Government's Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), with Ann Lewis and FUW President Ian Rickman highlighting the importance of ensuring the scheme continues to evolve in close collaboration with the farming industry.
The Union emphasised the need to address ongoing concerns surrounding elements of the scheme, including veterinary costs and other practical issues affecting farm businesses, while ensuring the SFS remains practical, accessible and capable of supporting the long-term sustainability of Welsh agriculture.
A key focus of the discussion was the FUW's manifesto call for the new Welsh Government to establish a five-year financial framework for the Sustainable Farming Scheme budget. The Union believes a multi-year funding settlement would provide the medium-term certainty needed to support investment, resilience and confidence within Welsh farming businesses.
John Davies MS has recently been appointed to the Senedd's Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee as a Plaid Cymru representative.
Commenting following the visit, FUW President Ian Rickman said: "We are grateful to Ann for the warm welcome to Cathelyd Isaf and for sharing her experience of farming and diversification. The visit provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the Sustainable Farming Scheme, and to reinforce the need for the scheme to continue evolving in genuine collaboration with the farming industry.
"We also highlighted the importance of securing a five-year funding framework for the Sustainable Farming Scheme and delivering baselined Universal payment rates over the course of this Senedd term.Providing better financial certainty is essential if Welsh farmers are to have the confidence to invest in their businesses and continue producing high-quality food while delivering for the environment."
