The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Cymru have called on the Welsh government to provide a ‘ring-fenced, multi-annual budget’ for the agricultural sector.
They made the call at a joint fringe event at Plaid Cymru’s recent Spring Conference held at the ICC Newport.
Chaired by Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s agriculture and rural affairs spokesperson, the event provided a platform for both unions to set out the sustained financial pressures facing the sector.
The unions pointed to what they described as “more than a decade of stagnation in the agricultural budget”, and warned that funding has failed to keep pace with rising costs, increasing regulatory and environmental expectations.
Agricultural budget
The unions argued that had overall funding kept pace with inflation over the past 13 years, that the agricultural budget would now exceed £500 million.
Speaking at the event, NFU Cymru President Abi Reader said: ‘“Welsh farmers must not be expected to do more for less.
“The next government must commit to providing a ring-fenced, multi-annual budget that matches our ambitions for the sustainable growth of the sector.
“This funding must underpin the financial resilience of our family farms and rural communities, while working in harmony with our environmental and climate obligations.
“We are calling for a budget in excess of £500 million per annum, with the majority of funding directed towards stability, productivity, and efficiency gains on farm.”
This call was echoed during the session by the FUW’s Senedd and parliamentary officer, George Lewes, who stressed that the next Welsh Government must also strengthen budgetary support for the forthcoming Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).
Lewes said: “If we are to deliver on food security, climate and biodiversity goals, the scheme must be backed by a budget that matches those expectations.”
Priorities
The fringe event also saw the unions to outline their wider shared ambitions for the sector ahead of the Senedd election.
These included reducing on-farm bureaucracy, delivering a science-led and properly resourced strategy to eradicate bovine TB, as well as addressing ongoing concerns surrounding Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) regulations and the unintended consequences they continue to create for family farms.
FUW president, Ian Rick said, alongside fair and sustained funding, “meaningful regulatory reform and practical, evidence-based policies are essential to safeguarding the viability and long-term sustainability of Welsh agriculture”.
“Ahead of the Senedd election, we look forward to continuing constructive engagement with all parties to ensure these priorities are delivered for the benefit farmers, rural communities, and the wider Welsh economy.”
