Royal Welsh Show: Dust 'still needs to settle' on farming subsidy plans
However, wildlife groups have warned that the scheme had been watered down, with RSPB Cymru now calling for "a clear plan" to explain how the SFS helps Wales meet its 2030 biodiversity targets.After years in the making, the SFS will replace EU-era payments for farmers, which were given largely based on how much land was farmed.
Ian Rickman, president of the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW), said there was "a lot of dust still to settle" as farmers got to grips with what the new, greener scheme meant for their businesses."We're proud of the changes we have helped secure," he added, which include "workable payment rates" and the scrapping of a controversial 10% tree cover rule for farms.But he described a faster transition process, that will see farms lose 40% of their subsidy if they choose not to join the SFS immediately, as "a particularly bitter pill".RSPB Cymru will use an event on the showground at the Royal Welsh to highlight demands for Wales' environment sector, including the need for "a clear plan detailing how the SFS will contribute to meeting Wales's 2030 biodiversity targets".The charity said the National Audit Office "has identified the lack of such a plan for the equivalent English scheme as a significant flaw resulting in the poor use of public money".Further long-term funding was also needed to invest in nature-friendly farming, it added, with analysis carried out on behalf of wildlife groups putting the figure at £594m a year - approximately twice the existing rural budget.
Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said the show marked "the culmination of a landmark week for Welsh agriculture".Alongside a new "ready reckoner" tool, allowing farms to calculate how much they might be offered, Irranca-Davies announced £33m for nine preparatory schemes to " back farm businesses during the transition to the new SFS"."This funding will help farmers invest in nutrient management, environmental improvements and efficiency equipment while delivering on environmental benefits like water quality and biodiversity," he said.Politicians of all colours are set to descend on the showground, each with competing visions for the future of rural communities ahead of May's Senedd election.Other issues set to dominate include the ongoing row over changes to inheritance tax rules for farmers, and restrictions to trade along the Welsh border as a result of bluetongue disease.Organisers have promised to deliver a "tremendous" display of livestock, despite limits on animals from England and Scotland travelling to Llanelwedd.
Sheep, cattle and goats from across the border have been banned this year as part of efforts to keep bluetongue out of Wales.The livestock virus poses no risk to humans or food safety - but can have serious implications for livestock.The cattle sheds are noticeably quieter, with entries down by around a third, while there will be no competitions in the goats section.But sheep numbers have held up after places were offered to Welsh competitors on a waiting list after Scottish and English farmers were forced to pull out.Will Edwards, from Nelson, Caerphilly county, is entering a Charolais cow and calf and said the atmosphere was "a bit different"."There aren't as many cattle here - there's still a lot of sheep though and I suppose it gives all the Welsh ones a go against each other."Farmers Thomas Corbett and Emily Simpson, from Felindre in Powys, said it was a shame not have the English and Scottish cattle because "the ones that come all that way are often the good cattle and you lose the best opposition".
Ms Simpson farmed in Scotland before meeting her partner at the show three years ago, and said friends there "would love to come down" but she understood why they stayed away this year."You've got to put safety first," she said.Aled Rhys Jones, chief executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said he was "really pleased with the response we've had from Welsh exhibitors".Numbers of native sheep breeds, pigs and horses were up, he emphasised."We've sympathised with exhibitors, particularly those from England and Scotland that have been coming to the show for years, and we really want to make sure that we maintain that goodwill.""Many of them are still coming this year to enjoy the show - and there'll still be a spectacle."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
15 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Meetings to be held on proposed Powys-Ceredigion wind farm
A series of public meetings will be held about a proposed wind farm in Powys and Ceredigion that could power 176,000 homes. Bute Energy is launching a public consultation on plans for the proposed Waun Hesgog Energy Park, which is located 17km north-east of Aberystwyth and extends into Powys on the eastern side. The park would have up to 37 wind turbines, with a maximum tip height of 220m that would 'generate up to 248MW of clean renewable energy', this will be enough to power approximately 176,000 households a year. Bute have said there are also plans for a Community Benefit Fund that could be worth up to £1.8 million each year, based on the current designs. A bilingual webinar will take place on Thursday 14 August from 6pm – 7pm. This will consist of a short presentation from the Waun Hesgog Project Team followed by a Q&A session. A public drop-in event is being held on Tuesday 19 August from 2pm – 6pm in Tal-y-bont Memorial Hall, where Bute Energy staff will be on hand to answer questions and explain the proposals in more detail. This is the first stage of consultation for Waun Hesgog Energy Park and the detailed design of the energy park will evolve over the coming months and there will be further opportunities to comment on the proposals next year. Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app Sophie Jones, Project Manager of Waun Hesgog Energy Park, said: 'We are pleased to be starting this first round of consultation for Waun Hesgog Energy Park and hope that as many people as possible will get involved and provide their feedback. 'The Welsh Government has set ambitious targets for Wales to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and by 100% renewable by 2035. Bute Energy is pleased to be playing our part in this. 'We look forward to hearing local people's thoughts about the Community Benefit Fund and how it can be used to support projects and tackle issues in communities around the site so we can deliver real benefits to local people.'
Business News Wales
6 hours ago
- Business News Wales
People to Premises: The Real Challenges Facing Welsh Businesses Today
Over the past 15 years, I've worked with hundreds of businesses across Wales at every stage of their journey, from start-ups with big ideas to long-established firms looking to take that next bold step forward. No matter the sector or size, the same themes come up time and time again. Growth is rarely about a single breakthrough moment. More often, it's about navigating a series of very real, very human challenges and finding the right support at the right time to overcome them. I work for Business in Focus and in my role as a Relationship Manager delivering on the Welsh Government's Business Wales service, we help businesses to unlock their potential, whether that's through guidance on funding, strategic advice, or just being a sounding board when decisions feel overwhelming. But what's really striking, after more than a decade in business support, is that the core challenges businesses face haven't changed all that much. The first is people. Recruiting and retaining the right staff is consistently one of the biggest hurdles. Skills shortages in key industries, changing expectations around work-life balance, and the pressure of competing with larger firms make it hard for small and medium-sized businesses to build the teams they need. And when you can't find the right people, or keep them, it slows everything else down. We work with businesses to help them think differently about talent, improve their employment offer, and find ways to connect with local pipelines and skills initiatives. For a long time, the biggest issue after people was always finance. Accessing growth capital, particularly at reasonable rates or with the right repayment terms, was often the missing piece. Thankfully, things have evolved. We now have a broader funding landscape in Wales, with support from the Development Bank of Wales, UK Government funding, and other private and public options. That said, it can still be daunting to navigate, and that's where Business Wales makes a big difference by helping businesses understand their funding options, get investor-ready, and apply with confidence. But in the past few years, a new challenge has overtaken finance as the number one concern I hear from businesses, and that's property. Right now, the single biggest barrier to growth for many Welsh businesses is the lack of available commercial space. It's not just about affordability; it's about availability. Businesses ready to expand, recruit, and increase output are struggling to find units, offices, or industrial premises that meet their needs. I've worked with businesses occupying multiple smaller units because there simply wasn't a single suitable building available. In one recent case, a company using four separate units is in the final stage of funding to build a custom facility, thanks to the right support, they hope to be able to grow and scale on their own terms. Even better, those four units should then be freed up for other growing businesses. That's the kind of knock-on effect we need more of if we want Wales' economy to thrive. Through our work delivering the Business Wales service, my colleagues and I take pride in playing a part in these success stories. Our job is to sit down with business owners, understand their goals, and work with them to identify barriers and solutions. Every business journey is different, but the challenges are often shared. And so is the support. Wales is full of businesses with extraordinary potential. But potential alone isn't enough. You need the infrastructure, the networks, the advice, and the confidence to act. If your business is ready to grow or just needs a fresh pair of eyes to help figure out what's next—reach out to Business Wales. Business Wales is here to help and will support you every step of the way.
Business News Wales
6 hours ago
- Business News Wales
Welsh Food and Drink Producers are Innovative and Resilient
Over the past few years, the Welsh food and drink sector has undergone a remarkable transformation. From Brexit and the cost-of-living crisis to the aftershocks of the pandemic, businesses across the industry have had to navigate economic uncertainty, supply chain volatility and changing consumer behaviour. Despite these pressures, the sector has not only proven resilient but continues to thrive. According to Welsh Government figures, the industry grew by 10% in 2023, reaching a total turnover of £24.6 billion and employing 228,500 people, equivalent to 17% of Wales's total workforce. While inflation and interest rates are still influencing consumer habits, and producers continue to balance cost and value, the foundations are strong. With cautious optimism, the Welsh food and drink sector is poised for measured growth over the next few years. Celebrating Excellence at the 2025 Wales Food and Drink Awards The 2025 Wales Food and Drink Awards, held recently in Llandudno, were a true celebration of the sector's strength, innovation and dedication. With over 400 guests in attendance and almost 200 entries across 16 categories, the awards offered a dynamic snapshot of the sector's breadth and excellence. Hugh James was proud to sponsor the Food Producer of the Year Award, and I was delighted to present this year's honour to Wainwright's Bee Farm. Based in Ceredigion, Wainwright's has set a benchmark for sustainable honey production and ethical beekeeping. Judges praised the team for their deep-rooted passion and environmentally conscious approach, calling the win a well-deserved recognition in a fiercely competitive category. Special mention must also go to Robin Jones, Managing Director of Village Bakery, who received the Outstanding Contribution Award. A third-generation baker from Wrexham, Robin has played a pivotal role in building one of Wales's largest craft bakeries. Under his leadership, Village Bakery has expanded from a local family business into a global exporter and major employer, all while championing skills development and sustainability. Other 2025 winners included: Apprentice of the Year – Nicola Culkin (Coleg Cambria/Knolton Farmhouse Cheese) Artisan Business of the Year – Atlantic Edge Oysters Business Resilience Award – Cradoc's Savoury Biscuits Drinks Producer of the Year (5+ employees) – Penderyn Entrepreneur of the Year – Lord Robert Newborough (Rhug Estates) Exporter of the Year – South Caernarfon Creameries Farm to Fork Producer of the Year – Puffin Produce Innovation Award – Evan Evans Brewery Local Community Award – The Wrexham Lager Beer Co Rising Star of the Year – Tom Wickens (Plumstone Welshcakes) Scale-up Company of the Year – Pembrokeshire Creamery Small Drinks Producer of the Year (<5 employees) – Llanfairpwll Distillery Start-up of the Year – Porthcawl Distillery Sustainable Values Award – Rhug Estates Wales Food and Drink Champion – Blas ar Fwyd Awards like these matter. They give producers a platform for recognition, foster collaboration across the industry, and raise public awareness of Wales's world-class food and drink. For many businesses, this visibility can open doors to new partnerships, export opportunities and investment. Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges The outlook for the Welsh food and drink sector is bright, but not without its challenges. Economic conditions remain mixed, with consumer spending still under pressure. Yet the fundamentals are strong. For example, export growth will be essential over the next few years. Wales produces far more food and drink than it consumes, so developing new international markets is key. While post-Brexit and regulatory hurdles remain, initiatives like the Export Cluster programme and new trade deals are opening new opportunities, especially in the Middle East, Asia and North America. Businesses that plan strategically and embrace compliance are likely to benefit most. Sustainability will also remain a defining trend. The Welsh Government is backing this shift with initiatives that support carbon reduction and environmental innovation. From renewable energy to plastic-free packaging, producers are already taking big steps, and consumers are rewarding those efforts. Innovation continues to thrive, both in product development and in process improvement. Health-conscious and sustainability-driven products are in demand, and Welsh producers are responding with new plant-based lines, functional foods, and 'free-from' ranges. Meanwhile, investments in automation and digitisation are helping businesses become more resilient and efficient. As consumer behaviour continues to shift toward authenticity, transparency, and ethical sourcing, Welsh producers are well placed to lead. Local provenance, rich storytelling, and a focus on quality remain powerful selling points, and Wales's food and drink brands are rich in all three. Finally, government support remains strong. With grant funding, trade missions, and training schemes all on the table, the next 12–36 months offer real opportunities for those ready to innovate and grow. Support initiatives such as the Food & Drink Wales Industry Board and the Export Action Plan for the Food and Drink Industry are central to guiding businesses through growth, internationalisation and innovation. Hugh James's support for the sector At Hugh James, we are proud to support the food and drink sector as it evolves and grows. Our sector-specialist team work with clients across the supply chain, from artisan producers to national brands, to provide strategic legal advice that enables growth, resilience and innovation. We have supported several key recent deals that reflect the sector's strength and momentum. These include: the refinancing of TGI Fridays, which helped safeguard 2,400 jobs across more than 80 UK sites; supporting Glamorgan Brewing Company, one of Wales's oldest and most respected independent breweries, in securing a major distribution partnership with LWC Drinks. This deal marked a significant moment for the Welsh drinks sector, enhancing market reach for a flagship Welsh brand and helping to sustain a proud brewing heritage. As consumer demand for local, craft beverages continues to rise, this kind of strategic collaboration demonstrates the strength and potential of Welsh producers; and advising Development Bank of Wales on its investment in Coffi Lab to support the brand's ambitious growth plans across the UK. These aren't just business transactions; they are long-term, strategic moves that protect jobs, heritage and community. The 2025 Awards were a powerful reminder of everything that makes the Welsh food and drink sector so exceptional: passion, innovation, resilience and a deep sense of place. At Hugh James, we look forward to continuing our support for the businesses that feed the nation and fly the flag for Wales around the world.
