The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has today re-launched its call for action on payment capping at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair (Monday 29 November). The Union has supported the capping of direct agricultural payments, after farm employee wages and other factors are taken into account, since 2007, on the grounds that this maximises the amount of money going to typical Welsh family farms and rural communities.

Speaking from the showground, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “In 2015 the Welsh Government introduced reductions for higher farm payments and an ultimate limit on the amount a farmer could claim through the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) - a system known as payment capping.

“Also introduced in 2015 was a ‘redistributive payment’ system which reduces payments for farms with larger areas and increases the amount of money small and medium sized farms receive - an approach that benefits the vast majority of Wales’ family farms.”

Farming in Wales is best placed to help tackle the climate and nature crisis but a level playing field is needed. That was the key message from Farmers’ Union of Wales Deputy President Ian Rickman, as he addressed a COP Cymru 21 webinar on Thursday 25 November.

The webinar, titled ‘Fields of ambition - farming at the centre of sustainable land use for the future’ also heard from Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales), National Farmers Union Cymru and the National Sheep Association. 

The panellists discussed integrating trees into farming systems, working towards Net Zero by improving farming’s productive efficiency, the role and use of carbon calculators, grazing for biodiversity, sustainable food security, the opportunities and risks of the carbon market, and how Welsh agriculture is uniquely placed to be a world leader in sustainable food production.

Speaking at the event, Ian Rickman told the audience: “Our ambition at the FUW for genuinely sustainable land use to tackle the climate and nature crises is twofold. Firstly we need a just and fair transition for all farms and farm types. Everyone needs to play their part, and should be given the opportunity to do so. And secondly- we need to focus on land sharing as opposed to land sparing, using land for a multitude of benefits instead of ‘releasing’ it from agriculture.”

Farmers’ Union of Wales Gwent county chairman Wayne Langford and Union officials recently discussed carbon trading, the future of agricultural policy and the on-going bovine TB crisis with Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Climate Change Delyth Jewell MS and Peredur Owen Griffiths MS.

The meeting was held at Mr Langford’s farm Penrhyn, Nantybwch,near Tredegar. The family farm is a sheep and beef holding and Wayne and his wife Tracey look after a flock of around 300 Welsh mountain sheep, and a herd of cattle on the common in summer and on the farm in winter. The farm is also part of the Glastir Commons contract.

Touring some of the fields with the MS’s, Wayne raised the issue of large companies buying up farmland across Wales. He said: “Welsh farms and large land parcels are being purchased by private individuals and companies. They are predominantly from outside Wales and intend to use the land for tree planting as part of carbon offsetting initiatives and investments aimed at capitalising on the growing market for carbon credits. 

The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) will continue its support of the National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) ‘Not in My Name’ Campaign to stamp out violence against women.

Joining a special candlelight vigil in Cardiff on Monday 22 November, which had been arranged by the NFWI- Wales, FUW President said: “It is a sad sign of the times that we are still having candlelight vigils to highlight the extreme situation many find themselves in through domestic violence and abuse. Yet it is important, critical, to not give up in the plight to raise awareness and change attitudes.”

The Union President highlighted that there are many consequences of domestic abuse, including the development of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) this morning (23 November) met Plaid Cymru spokesperson on Rural Affairs and Agriculture Cefin Campbell MS to discuss details of the recently published Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru Co-operation Agreement.

It was announced yesterday (22 November) that both parties, subject to support from party members, have agreed to work cooperatively for the next three years on 46 policies where there is a common interest including second homes, tree planting, agricultural pollution, the Welsh language and the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

Speaking after the meeting with the Mid and West Wales Senedd Member, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “There were clear distinctions between the aspirations of Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru in their manifestos in the spring, but given the current balance of votes in the Senedd, Labour was willing to negotiate on a range of issues.”

The agreement states that a transition period will be introduced as the system of farm payments is reformed so stability payments will continue to be a feature of the Sustainable Farming Scheme during and beyond this Senedd term.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is looking forward to a full programme of activities at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair (Monday 29 - Tuesday 30 November 2021), after a year of absence due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Starting the 2-day event the FUW is launching a call for action paper on carbon trading and a further call for action on payment capping. The reports set out how the respective issues should be resolved and paper copies of these documents will be available at the FUW stand, as well as on our website.

FUW Head of Policy Dr Nick Fenwick said: “Carbon trading and capping on payments are two critical issues for the industry and urgent action is required. Carbon trading issues need to be addressed to ensure Wales’ family farms can remain part of the solution, instead of a casualty of carbon offsetting.