The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) is calling for greater flexibility around slurry spreading as the autumn closed period fast approaches. This again re-states the strong view of the FUW that agricultural pollution regulatory requirements should reflect weather, soil and crop conditions rather than simply following fixed calendar dates.
For the majority of grassland soils in Wales, the closed period for spreading organic manures with high readily available nitrogen such as slurry and poultry manure applies from 15 October to 15 January.
Launching its briefing and policy position paper at the Usk Show on Saturday 12 September, the FUW is setting out its clear priorities and the urgent need for reform of the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021.
The FUW supports action to improve water quality but says the current rules place significant financial, practical and administrative pressures on farmers and do not reflect the diversity of Welsh farming.
Speaking from the Usk Show, FUW President Ian Rickman said: “We are reiterating our calls for a more targeted, proportionate and risk-based approach, including greater flexibility around slurry spreading, a review of the 170kg per hectare nitrogen limit and simpler record-keeping requirements.
“We maintain our view that regulatory efforts should focus on genuine environmental risk, rather than placing disproportionate emphasis on paperwork. Data set out in our briefing, sourced from Natural Resources Wales, demonstrates that a significant proportion of non-compliances relate to administrative and record-keeping requirements rather than confirmed pollution incidents or environmental harm.”
The FUW's revised briefing follows the independent review of the regulations conducted by Dr Susannah Bolton, which recommended exploring greater flexibility, including alternatives to fixed closed periods, reviewing nitrogen limits and simplifying administration.
“If this year has shown us anything, it is that we cannot farm by calendar alone. With farmers struggling with fodder availability following an exceptionally dry season, farm businesses across Wales will be grazing, spreading slurry and taking cuts of silage much later than planned for as long as the weather allows. We seek support from the Welsh Government by providing a blanket derogation for the start of the closed period to allow farmers to appropriately apply nutrients and take silage crops before the winter period.”
The FUW is urging the Welsh Government to work with the farming industry on immediate measures and a revised regulatory framework that protects water quality while supporting viable family farms and sustainable food production.
The FUW Briefing & Policy Position Paper on The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 is available here: https://fuw.org.uk/images/2026/09/WaterRegsbrochure-English-FINAL.pdf
North Wales Matters Podcast hosted by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin that was recorded at the FUW marquee at the Anglesey Show.
This episode explores rural crime and the wider issues affecting farming and rural communities across North Wales and features FUW Deputy President Dai Miles and FUW member Owain Hughes.
The President of the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) attended a Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Farming Roundtable on Monday 7th September, chaired by the Rt Hon Victoria Atkins MP, Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, alongside representatives from across the UK agricultural industry.
Discussions focused on the significant pressures facing farmers following the prolonged period of dry weather and the ongoing implications for agriculture, including impacts on winter feed stores, crop growth and livestock welfare.
The growing threat posed by wildfires was also discussed at length, alongside the problems caused by reduced livestock numbers and under grazing, with the FUW making the case for a coordinated, UK-wide strategy to prepare for challenges that will inevitably arise in future years.
The roundtable also considered the importance of maintaining strong biosecurity at the UK's borders and ensuring that the country is better prepared to respond to future disease outbreaks.
Speaking after the discussion, FUW President Ian Rickman said: “It was valuable to have the opportunity to bring the concerns of Welsh farmers directly into discussions in Westminster and to engage with other industry stakeholders on the challenges facing UK agriculture.
“The events of this summer have demonstrated just how exposed our farming and food systems can be to extreme weather, disease and disruption. We need to see food production and food security recognised as strategic priorities, with the Government working in collaboration with farmers to build resilience.
“We also need meaningful support to tackle threats such as bluetongue and a robust approach to biosecurity. We took the opportunity to highlight the need for Government support to help the industry manage and tackle disease outbreaks, protecting both animal health and the viability of affected farming businesses.”
The FUW welcomed the opportunity for continued engagement with members of the Shadow DEFRA Team and industry stakeholders on the issues that will shape the future resilience and sustainability of Welsh and UK agriculture.
A delegation from the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) travelled to Westminster earlier this week to hold vital talks with UK Government ministers, placing the resilience of Welsh agriculture, biosecurity, and emergency support at the top of the political agenda.
Union officials met with Anna McMorrin MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Wales Office, before holding joint discussions at the Home Office with DEFRA Ministers Stephen Morgan MP and Baroness Hayman of Ullock.
The FUW made representations on the ongoing negotiations for a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement with the EU. The Union made clear how it recognises the potential benefits an SPS agreement could deliver for Welsh farmers in terms of increased exports and improved market access. However, the most relevant concerns to Welsh farming businesses, such as those surrounding potential changes to livestock transport requirements, were also discussed at length.
The FUW also took the opportunity to call for UK-wide co-ordination when it comes to tackling immediate challenges such as wildfires, fodder availability and disease outbreaks. Ahead of the impending UK budget announcement, Union representatives called for a dedicated UK emergency fund designed to support farming businesses with short-term crises and financial challenges.
Reflecting on the discussions, FUW President Ian Rickman said: “These meetings provided an important opportunity to put the concerns of Welsh farmers directly to UK Government ministers. Welsh farmers operate within a complex policy environment and decisions taken in Westminster on reserved matters such as trade, taxation and biosecurity have a direct impact on farming businesses in Wales.
“We are incredibly proud of the world-class standards upheld by Welsh farmers. As the government navigates shifting trade barriers and immediate disease threats, the voice of Welsh agriculture must not be side-lined. We need strong commitments and proactive strategies to keep our family farms secure. It was therefore reassuring to hear that DEFRA and the UK Government are seeking to ensure that our welfare standards are not undercut by ongoing and future trade negotiations.
“It was also positive to note that our call for a dedicated emergency fund to support farmers with immediate challenges will be explored. Any successful strategies to tackle issues such as wildfires, fodder shortages and disease control will require immediate and long-term investment, targeted at impacted farm businesses and bodies that play a key role in prevention and surveillance across the UK.
“We look forward to continuing this dialogue and working constructively to ensure that the interests of Welsh farming and our rural communities are consistently understood at a UK Government level.”
The Carmarthen branch of Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) is seeking nominations for the 2026 FUW - United Counties Agriculture and Hunters Society Award for a person judged to have made the most Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture in Carmarthenshire during the past few years.
The award was won last year by Carmarthenshire farmer, Haydn Evans, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to agriculture in Carmarthenshire and Wales. Previous winners of the award include Castell Howell Foods founder, Brian Jones (2017), Ffermio Presenter, Meinir Howells (2018), and current FUW President, Ian Rickman (2019).
The award will be presented at the FUW’s prestigious Eve of the Welsh Dairy Show event on Monday 19 October 2026.
The judges will include representatives from the FUW and the United Counties Agricultural and Hunters Society.
Opening the nominations process, FUW Carmarthen Member Services Manager David Waters said: “Carmarthenshire’s farming community is the very backbone of our county’s social and economic fabric. This award is a fantastic opportunity to publicly honour an individual who has tirelessly dedicated themselves to advancing this vital industry and supporting their fellow farmers.”
Mr Roger Evans, Chair of the United Counties and Hunters society, added: “The United Counties Agricultural and Hunters Society is proud to continue our partnership with the FUW to honour the remarkable individuals who are the backbone of our rural community. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication that drives Carmarthenshire's agricultural sector, and we look forward to celebrating a new recipient who has gone above and beyond for our industry."
Nominations should be in the form of a letter or citation giving full details of the work and achievements of the nominee and need to be emailed to the FUW Carmarthen office;
