The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed positive feedback from Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford over a number of issues raised with him during a meeting at the Royal Welsh Show.

Speaking after the meeting on Monday (24 July), FUW President Ian Rickman said: “A diverse range of issues of concern to the industry were raised with the First Minister. 

The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) has said the Welsh Government's announcement that mainstream Glastir contracts will not be extended will cause major concerns across the industry both in terms of the implications for farm businesses and the practicalities of designing and introducing a new replacement scheme over a period of just a few months.

The Welsh Government announced on Friday (21 July) that Glastir Advanced, Glastir Commons and Glastir Organic contracts would not be extended beyond December this year, and that all Welsh farmers would instead be offered the option to sign up to a 12 month whole farm scheme focussing on habitat land.

Uncertainties faced by the farming industry in Wales and what support is required from Government were top of the agenda, when Farmers’ Union of Wales President Ian Rickman met with Secretary of State David TC Davies in London recently.

A significant scheme that will set out payment mechanisms for the industry in the future, the Sustainable Farming Scheme, offers an opportunity to support the sector if the right financial package is received from Westminster. Discussing the upcoming Sustainable Farming Scheme, Mr Rickman said: “Whilst it is vitally important that the Welsh Government design a scheme that truly works for every farm in Wales, it is also imperative we have the budget to deliver it. 

A collaboration between the Farmers’ Union of Wales, the Football Association Wales and the DPJ Foundation at the Royal Welsh Show aims to shine a light on how the gap between young men in farming and football clubs across Wales can be bridged.

In a special seminar, which is chaired by Professor Laura McAllister and held on Tuesday 25 July at 4pm at the FUW pavilion, the organisations will also discuss the progress that has been made in addressing mental health issues in rural communities and within the agricultural industry.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed progress made in designing the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) - but says the scheme is at a critical stage that will decide whether it is fit for purpose or presents major barriers for the industry and excludes large numbers of farmers.

In a statement made to the Senedd on 11 July, Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths announced that three reports had been published - two detailing the findings of a ‘co-design’ process and one giving the Welsh Government’s response - telling the Senedd that a phased approach to introducing the new scheme from 2025 would be considered to avoid large scale changes at once. 

The Farmers’ Union of Wales and FUW Insurance Services are looking forward to what promises to be a busy Royal Welsh Show (Monday 24 - Thursday 27 July 2023) which is taking place in Llanelwedd. 

The week will be an opportunity for the FUW group to highlight to members, the public visiting the show and politicians why farming matters more than ever and what must be achieved if there are to be thriving, sustainable, family farms in Wales. 

Speaking ahead of the show, FUW President Ian Rickman said: “The team has done an excellent job in putting together a full programme of seminars and entertainment for everyone visiting our pavilion - members and non-members are welcome to join these seminars. 

“There will be a variety of topical discussions in our seminars. Those issues, if not addressed, are going to affect the viability and sustainability of our family farms here in Wales and we will be lobbying and shining a light on those issues throughout the week.”

The FUW looks forward to welcoming Members of the Senedd and Members of Parliament, as well as industry stakeholders to the pavilion to discuss the many farming matters that have a profound impact on the agricultural industry.