During emergency talks held on 19 January with Minister for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, and her officials, the Farmers’ Union of Wales called for a rethink of the proposals through genuine co-design.

The FUW understands the current strength of feeling and frustration of our members. The FUW expressed these deep concerns and the resentment felt by members and the wider rural community to the Minister in no uncertain terms.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has written to all members urging individuals and businesses to formally respond to the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) consultation and to make their voices heard. 

Anyone need only look at the statistics from the Farm Business Survey to understand the significance of agricultural and rural development funding to our food supply chains and the wider rural economy.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) says that the Scottish Government’s confirmation that direct farm support will continue in Scotland highlights the fundamental flaws inherent in Wales’ Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) proposals.

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf told NFU Scotland's spring conference on 9th February that 70% of future support will constitute direct farm payments to support food producers. The remaining 30% will be targeted at environmental measures, a ratio similar to current Scottish arrangements.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has raised £ 17,509 for the Wales Air Ambulance throughout its annual farmhouse breakfast week in January (15 -21 January 2024).

Over 35 events were held across Wales with members and politicians alike enjoying the delicious, nutritious and sustainable breakfast produce on offer, whilst catching up on farming matters with FUW staff and officials.