Latest news with #FUW
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Farmers Union of Wales reacts to Sustainable Farming Scheme
Last week, the Welsh Government published the final version of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). This Scheme will be the primary mechanism through which farm businesses in Wales will be able to apply for farm support from 2026 onwards as the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is phased out over the coming years. Since the initial Brexit and Our Land consultation in 2018, the FUW, its officials and staff have invested a remarkable amount of resources into lobbying, negotiating and challenging the Welsh Government in order to try and secure a workable Scheme for the future of our thriving, sustainable family farms and food production across Wales. We can assure FUW members and the wider agricultural community that we left no stone unturned over the past seven years in our ambition to secure a viable post-Brexit farm support framework. We therefore welcome key successes, including securing a total budget for the Universal Baseline Payment and BPS taper combined of £238 million, providing workable payment rates and much needed stability for the sector. This includes the provision of universal payments for common land rights holders. Our lobbying efforts have also retained and strengthened the application of capped and redistributive payments, a longstanding policy position for the FUW and one that maximises the amount of money going to typical Welsh family farms and rural communities. However, we accept that the Scheme is not perfect. The 10% habitat Scheme Rule will be a concern for many as will the Scheme-level ambition to plant 17,000 hectares of trees by 2030. The shorter BPS transition will also be a bitter pill, with the BPS payment now falling to 60% in 2026 and reducing by 20% per year thereafter. We have been consistent in our calls for the BPS transition to follow five equal reductions starting at 80% in 2026 as was initially proposed by the Welsh Government. This Scheme will be different to what we have historically considered as direct farm support or subsidies. I therefore urge all Welsh farmers to consider the Scheme requirements and payment rates in the context of your own businesses. Whether farmers decide to enter the SFS at any point in the future, or continue with the tapering BPS and operate without farm support thereafter, the FUW is here to support you and your businesses throughout the transition period and beyond.
Powys County Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
New Sustainable Farming Scheme 'a generational milestone'
The new Sustainable Farming Scheme represents a 'generational milestone' for farmers, a union has said. The scheme will see new requirements for farmers which look to improve biodiversity across the country and will see the rapid phasing out of the current Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). According to the Welsh Government, farmers in Sustainable Farming Scheme will need to have 'at least 10 per cent of their land actively managed as habitat, to benefit biodiversity and support nature recovery alongside food production'. The current basic payment scheme will be phased out being reduced to 60 per cent in 2026 and reduced by 20 per cent per year thereafter. NFU Cymru criticised this aspect as initially it was though that it would initially only drop to 80 per cent. It labelled the change a 'cliff edge' approach which has affected many farmers' forward planning. What the Sustainable Farming Scheme says: An annual Universal Payment will go to farmers joining the Scheme who follow the Scheme Requirements including a set of Universal Actions. The Scheme has been made less complex with fewer administrative requirements. The number of Universal Actions has been cut and built on the processes and systems of Rural Payments Wales (RPW). The combination of the Universal, Optional and Collaborative layers is intended to give stability through the Universal layer, and additional support to those who want to do more through Optional and Collaborative Actions. All farmers entering the Scheme will need to complete an opportunity plan for woodland and hedgerow creation in the first year of entry into the Scheme. They must demonstrate progress towards their plan by the end of the 2028 scheme year. Support will be provided for tree and hedgerow planting in the Optional Layer, including for agroforestry, and there will be a higher payment rate for tree planting during the first three years of the scheme. Farmers are not expected to plant trees on their most productive land – they will decide where to plant, with advice and guidance on putting the right trees in the right places. Farmers in the Scheme will need to have at least 10% of their land actively managed as habitat, to benefit biodiversity and support nature recovery alongside food production. A range of temporary habitat options are available to choose from if farmers need to do more to meet the 10% requirement. By the time of the Royal Welsh Show a simple ready reckoner will be available on the Welsh Government website. Union response FUW President Ian Rickman said: "During the past year alone, we have attended in excess of 60 meetings with the Welsh Government totalling over 300 hours of negotiations. I can assure FUW members and the wider agricultural community that we have left no stone unturned over the past seven years in our ambition to secure a viable post-Brexit farm support framework. "The Scheme published today represents this prolonged period of negotiation, marking a generational milestone for the future of Welsh agriculture.' He added: "We accept that the Scheme is not perfect. The 10% habitat Scheme Rule will be a concern for many as will the management requirements that will apply on those areas despite these being less prescriptive than previous agri-environment schemes. "We also appreciate there will be concerns raised around the Scheme-level ambition to plant 17,000 hectares of trees by 2030, the potential year-to-year fluidity of the payment rates and the shorter BPS transition, which will now fall to 60% in 2026 and reduce by 20% per year thereafter. "We have been consistent in our calls for the BPS transition to follow five equal reductions starting at 80% in 2026 as was initially proposed by the Welsh Government. "FUW members can be assured that the Union made its position absolutely clear on these areas throughout the negotiations. I am confident that the Union has done everything in its power to represent you and your businesses throughout this process. "This Scheme will be different to what we have historically considered as direct farm support or subsidies. I therefore urge all Welsh farmers to consider the Scheme requirements and payment rates in the context of your own businesses.' Cliff edge in 2026 NFU Cymru hit out at a "cliff edge" in 2026 which will see basic payments cut to 60 per cent in 2026 for those opting against entering the new scheme, having previously understood it would first fall to 80 per cent. Union president Aled Jones said: "Farming businesses have forward planned on this basis. 'This development is even more of a blow given significant guidance and technical detail is yet to be published which farmers need if they are to make informed decisions about whether to enter the scheme from January 1, 2026. "With harvest well underway and next year's cropping and livestock purchases already in motion, many farmers will not be able to pivot their business to join the new scheme from January. "Farming families are also grappling with difficult conversations and decisions on how to restructure their businesses to address the changes being forced upon them by the introduction of the UK Government's family farm tax from April 2026. With Welsh Government now slashing the first year of the tapered transition from the BPS, many will feel they are now stuck between a rock and a hard place.'
North Wales Chronicle
11-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Farmers Union of Wales issue update before Royal Welsh Show
With July upon us, all roads lead to Builth Wells, with the Royal Welsh Show less than a fortnight away. As well as showcasing the best of rural Wales, the Show will be a significant milestone for the FUW as we celebrate 70 years since our establishment in 1955. Whilst a lot has changed politically, socially and agriculturally over the past seven decades, the FUW's founding principles of thriving, sustainable family farms continue at the heart of the Union's work as we continue to represent thousands of members across Wales. As part of the celebrations, a special panel discussion will be held at the FUW pavilion on Wednesday at 11:00 and is open to all. The panel will bring together a range of familiar faces to reflect on changes and challenges over the years, and address the evolving landscape facing the future of Welsh agriculture. As well as an opportunity to reflect on the Union's history, the Show also offers a crucial opportunity to look forward, with a particular focus on future farm funding frameworks and what work can be done to incentivise and support the next generation of farmers. With the industry waiting in anticipation for the final Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), a question and answer session on Monday morning at 11:00 will provide an opportunity to hear the FUW's reaction, as well as a question and answer session with the Welsh Government, providing an opportunity for members and the public to ask questions on the Scheme design and expectations. Wednesday morning will also provide insight on future farm funding, with the FUW hosting a discussion on Wednesday morning focused on the Welsh Government's new Ffermio Bro agri-environment scheme, with a discussion on how it can support farmers and nature in National Parks and Designated Landscapes in Wales. Tuesday will see the FUW launch their policy report 'A Mandate for Future Farmers', outlining our vision to increase the opportunities for young farmers and new entrants in Wales. The document will outline key asks of both the Welsh and UK governments, as well as the wider farming community, to nurture the next generation of farmers. Held at the FUW pavilion on Tuesday morning at 11:15, the launch will provide an opportunity for an array of young farmers and new entrants to share their own experiences, as well as insight from representatives from Wales' Young Farmers Clubs and Farming Connect. There'll be a warm welcome at the FUW pavilion throughout the week, so don't hesitate to call by for a cuppa and a catch-up!
Leader Live
11-07-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Farmers Union of Wales issue update before Royal Welsh Show
With July upon us, all roads lead to Builth Wells, with the Royal Welsh Show less than a fortnight away. As well as showcasing the best of rural Wales, the Show will be a significant milestone for the FUW as we celebrate 70 years since our establishment in 1955. Whilst a lot has changed politically, socially and agriculturally over the past seven decades, the FUW's founding principles of thriving, sustainable family farms continue at the heart of the Union's work as we continue to represent thousands of members across Wales. As part of the celebrations, a special panel discussion will be held at the FUW pavilion on Wednesday at 11:00 and is open to all. The panel will bring together a range of familiar faces to reflect on changes and challenges over the years, and address the evolving landscape facing the future of Welsh agriculture. As well as an opportunity to reflect on the Union's history, the Show also offers a crucial opportunity to look forward, with a particular focus on future farm funding frameworks and what work can be done to incentivise and support the next generation of farmers. With the industry waiting in anticipation for the final Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), a question and answer session on Monday morning at 11:00 will provide an opportunity to hear the FUW's reaction, as well as a question and answer session with the Welsh Government, providing an opportunity for members and the public to ask questions on the Scheme design and expectations. Wednesday morning will also provide insight on future farm funding, with the FUW hosting a discussion on Wednesday morning focused on the Welsh Government's new Ffermio Bro agri-environment scheme, with a discussion on how it can support farmers and nature in National Parks and Designated Landscapes in Wales. Tuesday will see the FUW launch their policy report 'A Mandate for Future Farmers', outlining our vision to increase the opportunities for young farmers and new entrants in Wales. The document will outline key asks of both the Welsh and UK governments, as well as the wider farming community, to nurture the next generation of farmers. Held at the FUW pavilion on Tuesday morning at 11:15, the launch will provide an opportunity for an array of young farmers and new entrants to share their own experiences, as well as insight from representatives from Wales' Young Farmers Clubs and Farming Connect. There'll be a warm welcome at the FUW pavilion throughout the week, so don't hesitate to call by for a cuppa and a catch-up!
Leader Live
04-07-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
The Farmers' Union of Wales reflects on Labour's first year
This week marks the first anniversary of Labour's 2024 UK general election victory. While global tensions remain, domestic policy has been dominated by three contentious government measures that have sparked public and backbench unrest. Initially, the government's plan to scrap the universal Winter Fuel Payment caused significant concern. However, following considerable pressure, they've subsequently conducted a 75% u-turn, restoring the payment for most pensioners. Similarly, proposed changes to welfare benefits, specifically Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), faced a major backbench rebellion. As a result, these reforms were significantly watered down last week - again buckling under public and political pressure. However, the agricultural sector continues to grapple with the most contentious issue: drastic changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR). Despite the Prime Minister's earlier insistence that a "vast majority" of Welsh farmers would remain unaffected, analysis from the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) suggests up to 48% of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) recipients in Wales could be subject to the new inheritance tax proposals. If this reform remains unchanged the consequences for farmers, rural communities, and food production in Wales could be devastating. Since these proposals first emerged, the FUW has consistently stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the sector, urging the government to reconsider this ill-conceived policy. However, despite the industry's dire warnings and growing unease among many of the government's own backbenchers, these appeals appear to have fallen on deaf ears. With the April 2026 implementation deadline now rapidly approaching, the mounting strain and uncertainty facing Welsh farmers is reaching critical levels, threatening their livelihoods and the very fabric of rural communities. As the FUW has consistently argued, the aim is not to scrap the policy entirely, but to secure targeted adjustments that prevent hardworking family farms from being crippled by these changes. Rather than an approach comparable to a sledgehammer cracking a nut, the FUW has sought the opportunity to design a policy with HM Treasury that genuinely works for family businesses and effectively closes the existing loopholes that allow non-farming investors to benefit disproportionately. The old saying goes, "things come in threes." Having buckled to public and political pressure and made adjustments on both the Winter Fuel Payment and broader welfare benefit reform, the government has shown it can listen and adapt. Now is the time to apply that same pragmatic approach and revisit the changes to APR before irreversible damage is inflicted upon a sector vital to Wales and the wider UK.
