The Farmers’ Union of Wales is urging farmers and members of the public to use an online tool to lobby Welsh politicians over cuts to Wales’ agriculture and rural development budget announced by the UK Chancellor on 25th November.

The tool allows people to email their elected Members of Parliament and Members of the Welsh Senedd calling on them to fight for the restoration of Wales’ agriculture and rural development budget to pre-EU Exit levels in real terms - in line with promises made to Welsh and UK constituents by numerous politicians and UK Government ministers.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The UK Government has cut funding for Welsh agriculture and rural development by at least 27% and up to 41% if Pillar transfer funds are included, and the implications for the economic, environmental and cultural sustainability of our communities are severe.

“We’ve therefore set up a lobbying tool so farmers and members of the public can write to their elected representatives urging them to lobby the UK Government to ensure funding for Welsh agriculture and rural development is restored to pre-EU Exit levels.” 

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is hosting a special webinar to shed light on what technical and practical changes are required for farming businesses in Wales from 1 January 2021 onwards.

The webinar takes place on Thursday, 17 December at 7pm via Zoom.

Helping to explain these changes, and translate them into practicalities, are representatives from British Meat Processors Association, Food Standards Agency, Hybu Cig Cymru and Welsh Government. The webinar is  chaired by FUW President Glyn Roberts, with closing remarks from FUW Head of Policy Nick Fenwick. 

FUW Policy Officer Teleri Fielden said: “There are significant changes occurring to the trading arrangements with UK agriculture's biggest export customer-the EU as well as new ways of working for all sections of the food supply chain in the UK. 

“This means farmers need to be aware of the impacts of these changes for their businesses. Things such as the non-tariff barriers we hear so much won’t just impact ports after December - they will affect every stage of food production, so it is important for farmers to understand potential implications for their businesses. 

“We will be joined by a team of experts who will help shed light on some of these complex issues and we look forward to welcoming you to the event.”

To register visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brexit-what-do-welsh-farmers-need-to-know-from-1-january-2021-onwards-tickets-131842270781 

∙ Leaders of the Brexit campaign promised that leaving the EU would not lead to reduced funding for  farming and rural areas 

∙ The 2019 Conservative Manifesto stated “...we will guarantee the current annual [Common  Agricultural Policy (CAP)] budget to farmers in every year of the next Parliament” 

∙ The EU CAP budget for Wales for the period 2014-2020, confirmed on 8th November 2013 by the then Secretary  of State for Environment Owen Paterson was “…a pillar 1 (direct payment) allocation of around €2,245  million, and pillar 2 allocation of around €355 million”  (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-cap-allocations-announced )

∙ This is a total of €2.6 billion over the seven year (2014-2020) CAP budgetary period – an average of  £331 million a year based on the £0.89/€ exchange rate fixed by the UK Government ∙ On 25th November 2020 the UK Government announced that Wales’ 2021-2022 financial year  allocation for agriculture and rural development would be £242 million - £89 million less than the  average annual EU CAP allocation for the period 2014-2020 

∙ The £242 million figure for the 2021-2022 financial year is £95 million less than the £337 million  received in the 2019 funding ‘baseline’ defined by the UK Government to calculate Wales’ allocation ∙ The UK Government maintains that the total budget available to Wales in 2021-2022 should be judged  to be the sum of the £242 million announced on 25th November 2020 and the £95 million in unspent  EU funding from the 2014-2020 funding period 

The Anglesey branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is helping members prepare for the next lambing season with a special webinar.  The webinar is open to all members and takes place via Zoom on Tuesday 8 December at 7pm. 

Joining the virtual event is Veterinary Surgeon Alwyn Llewelyn Jones BVMS, DipACVP, FRCPath, MRCVS who is going to share hints, tips and best practices on preparing the flock for the lambing season.  Mr Jones is now a veterinary pathologist on the Scottish Borders working for the Scottish Rural University College (SRUC) but has spent many years working as a vet at a local practice so will be a familiar face to many. 

Also joining the event will be Dyfrig Hughes on behalf of For Farmers to answer any nutrient related questions members might have.

FUW Anglesey County Executive Officer Alaw Jones said: “ We are looking forward to welcoming members from across Wales to this special webinar, which aims to answer any questions farmers might have in how to best prepare for the next lambing season. I look forward to virtually seeing many of you on the night.”

To book your place at the webinar, members need to contact the Anglesey County Office on 01248 750 250 or via email on  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .