Agricultural Policy & Welsh Statistics
The FUW strives to advance and protect Wales' family farms, both nationally and individually, in order to secure their future. By influencing policy makers, securing financial support and ensuring fair regulation, the FUW works tirelessly to achieve the best policy outcomes for FUW members. Explore the latest agricultural statistics and the FUW's key policy achievements here
Land Use
Total Farmed Area: 1,964,000 hectares
Arable Crops & Horticulture: 101,500 hectares
Organically Farmed Land: 76,000 hectares
Land Used for Agriculture: Over 90% of Wales' land area
Livestock
Sheep & Lambs - 9,640,000
Cattle & Calves - 1,128,849
Poultry - 10,352,244
Pigs - 27,181
People & Income
Principal Farmers, Directors, Partners (and Spouses): 38,200
Total Employed in Agriculture: 58,300
Average Annual Farm Business Income: £30,700
Farm Types by Land Use & Output
Dairy Farms:
14% of agricultural land area
45% of total agricultural output
Less Favoured Area (LFA) Grazing:
71% of agricultural land area
39% of total agricultural output
Lowland Grazing:
7% of agricultural land area
7% of total agricultural output
Other Farm Types (e.g., Mixed):
8% of agricultural land area
10% of total agricultural output
Active Farm Holdings
FUW Policy Achievements 2024
Financial & Market Support
Secured £238M in Farm Payments - Ensured full Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) for 2025, providing financial security for Welsh farmers
Phased Transition to Sustainable Farming Scheme - Negotiated a gradual shift to the SFS until 2029, preventing sudden payment losses.
Fair Milk Pricing Rules Secured - Advocated for the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024, ensuring transparent milk contracts for dairy farmers.
Animal Health & Welfare
Bovine TB Eradication Plan - Established a TB Eradication Board to involve farmers in disease control and policy decisions.
BVD Legislation Support - Secured match-funding to help cattle farmers implement Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) disease control measures.
Flexible On-Farm Slaughter Rules - Successfully lobbied for flexible slaughter options for TB reactor cattle, by helping to reduce stress and financial loss
Environmental & Regulatory Wins
Revised Water Quality Regulations - Ensured that agricultural pollution rules consider both economic and environmental impacts on farmers.
Removed 10% Tree Cover Rule - Successfully opposed the mandatory tree cover requirement, preserving farmland for production.
Influenced Water Pollution Policy - Worked to protect long-term farm viability while ensuring reasonable water pollution controls under new regulations.
