Farming

Farmers fuming as First Minister calls Sustainable Farming Scheme ‘a bargain’

Published

2 years ago

February 21, 2024

First Minister ‘patronising’ rural Wales: Plaid’s Llyr Gruffydd hits out at First Minister
Welsh farmers could mirror European protests
Local MS will stand “shoulder-to-shoulder” with farmers if they protest

AS ANGER at the Welsh Government rises across rural Wales, farming union leaders met with Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths this Monday (Feb 19).
The meeting came after fierce criticism of the Welsh Government’s approach to rural policy, including the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme.
With frustration and resentment at boiling point in rural communities, the talks were the best hope of achieving a compromise between the Welsh Government and Wales’s farmers – or at least calming down the febrile atmosphere in which mass protests seem inevitable.

UNIONS CALL FOR WELSH GOVERNMENT TO ‘WORK WITH THEM’

After the meeting, FUW President Ian Rickman called for cooperation and partnership.
“As farmers, we understand our members’ current strength of feeling and frustration.
“We expressed these deep concerns and the resentment felt by our members and the wider rural community to the Minister in no uncertain terms today.
“We have called for an independent assessment to take place on the socio-economic impact and bureaucratic burden of Welsh Government agricultural policies, to include the SFS, bovine TB and the Control of Agricultural Pollution ‘NVZ’ regulations.
“This time must also be used for a series of regular meetings involving the Minister for Rural Affairs and her officials with both farming unions to rethink the proposals through genuine co-design.”
NFU Cymru President Aled Jones hailed the talks as constructive but stressed the urgency of working together to stabilise the rural economy and plan for the future.
“We have asked the Welsh Government to undertake a socio-economic assessment of the SFS that assesses the impact of the current proposals on Welsh farming, rural communities and the supply chain.
“No decisions on the next steps for the SFS should be taken until that assessment is complete.
“If necessary, the SFS should be paused and delayed until we can be sure that the SFS can deliver the same level of stability to the whole agri-food supply chain and rural Wales as the current support arrangements.
“The current pressures go beyond the SFS. Therefore, I have asked the Minister to consider establishing an Independent Review Group to consider the cumulative burden of regulations and policies on Welsh farming businesses. That process must also consider the wider economic and political factors affecting the Welsh agricultural industry at this time.
“The meeting was constructive, and I was pleased that the Minister listened to our concerns and recommendations to the Government.
“I now look to her and the Welsh Government to take forward our proposals.
“I have asked the Minister to commit to a series of meetings to ensure that moving forward, the design of the SFS and the payment rates attached to it can be a genuine co-design between Welsh Farming and Welsh Government.”
Promising words. But there was no statement from the Minister on the talks.

DIRE DRAKEFORD KILLS HOPE

It didn’t matter.
Shortly afterwards, Mark Drakeford torpedoed whatever good the meeting did at addressing farmers’ concerns.
He undermined any good work by Lesley Griffiths in a rant delivered during a press conference.
The First Minister’s tin-eared approach to rural policy and desire to play to urban and suburban voters spilt over under questioning.
Mr Drakeford ludicrously suggested that farmers wanted £300m of public money to spend as they please, with no strings attached.
Nobody is suggesting that, as the First Minister knows.
It appears that in the home straight of his time in power, Mr Drakeford has ditched the “doctor’s persona” and shown his ideology-driven, partisan, and intolerant real one.
The warm words of farmers’ leaders turned to ashes in their mouths as the extent of the First Minister’s ignorance became apparent.
Why the First Minister cannot just come out and say he and his Government regard rural Wales with contempt is a matter for him. However, in a General Election year, it’s not too much to suppose that Labour candidates hoping to win rural seats on the back of UK-wide polls will be troubled by his cack-handedness.
The following day, Mr Drakeford dug in.
At First Minister’s questions, he told Conservative Leader Andrew RT Davies: “There is a bargain here. That is the bargain that the sustainable farming scheme represents. It’s why we’ve had a seven-year conversation with farmers in Wales about getting that bargain right.”
Which rather begs questions about future funding and why so much of the consultation is uncosted or data-deficient.
That was not the First Minister’s biggest misstep.
Besides blaming farmers for Brexit, a trope so tired that even the most loyal party hacks must groan whenever he trots it out, Mr Drakeford further undermined Lesley Griffiths.
Since the Welsh Government published its financial analysis showing the disastrous consequences of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, the Rural Affairs Minister has backed and filled by claiming the figures are outdated and subject to revision.
Not according to the First Minister.
Mr Drakeford said the figures published would inform the consultation.
If the figures are outdated or redundant, it is hard to see the value of such data or how they can inform anything.
As things stand, and the First Minister refused to answer when pressed, Wales faces a huge hit to the nation’s economy, armageddon for the rural economy, and job losses at twice the scale of Port Talbot in areas where jobs are hardest to replace.

OPPOSITION SLATE FIRST MINISTER

Andrew RT Davies MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: “Labour’s plans for agriculture would be ruinous for so many farmers, and would dissolve rural businesses that have been providing food and looking after our countryside for generations, hardly a ‘bargain’.
“Labour must scrap this policy, which amounts to green blackmail, before they do irreversible damage to our farming communities.”
Local MS Sam Kurtz, the Shadow Rural Affairs Minister, added: “The start of the next First Minister’s tenure could be overshadowed by serious discontent in rural Wales, as neither candidate is willing to listen to the genuine concerns of the agricultural sector.
“That’s why I’m urging once again for the consultation to be paused. If it isn’t then it is only a matter of time before farmers are on the steps of the Senedd protesting, and I will be standing shoulder to shoulder with them.”
Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Rural Affairs, Llyr Gruffydd MS, said: “The First Minister’s comments show yet again how out of touch Labour are with our farmers and rural communities across Wales.
“Instead of patronising the sector, the First Minister and his Government should work with the community to show that their voices and concerns are being listened to.
“This kind of outburst will only deepen the despair felt by so many in the industry, adding to the mental health crisis that’s now emerging in so many farming communities.
“Nobody knows more than farmers that they have a big part to play in helping tackle the climate emergency. That’s why the industry has pledged to achieve net zero by 2040, earlier than the Welsh Government’s target.
“Farmers stand ready to meet the challenge, but that transition has to be a just transition for those working in agriculture in the same way as it has rightly been demanded for other sectors such as the steel industry.
“Plaid Cymru has argued time and time again that investing in our farming industry is an investment for Wales, with a return of £9 for every £1 that goes into the industry.
“From the economy to producing food, safeguarding our culture and language, and being a key partner in tackling climate change – Labour must realise that Welsh farmers are vital to Wales’s success.”

Farming

New rules to make Welsh lamb pricing clearer set to begin next week

Published

6 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mandatory carcass grading and price reporting will be required in slaughterhouses from Wednesday, January 28

WELSH sheep farmers are set to see new rules introduced next week aimed at making the lamb market fairer and more transparent.

From Wednesday (Jan 28), slaughterhouses in Wales will be required to classify sheep carcasses and report prices using a standardised system. The Welsh Government says the move will improve consistency in grading, make price information easier to compare, and help build confidence for farmers selling stock.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies announced the change during the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) Farmhouse Breakfast event at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff.

He said the measures would support the industry by ensuring a consistent methodology for classifying carcasses in slaughterhouses, promoting transparency, fairness and productivity within the sheep market.

“Our iconic Welsh lamb is celebrated around the world for its outstanding quality and high production standards,” he said. “These measures will implement a consistent methodology for classifying sheep carcasses in slaughterhouses, promoting transparency, fairness, and increased productivity within the sheep market.”

The regulations bring the sheep sector into line with rules already used for beef and pork.

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales chief executive José Peralta said the changes would allow for greater data capture and analysis and improve transparency within the supply chain.

He said: “The new regulations, which now align with a similar position for cattle and pigs, will allow for greater data capture and analysis to be undertaken and support increased transparency within the sector. As a sector we must seek all opportunities for greater transparency within the supply chain to ensure that choices can be made from an informed position.”

The Welsh Government says the new approach is part of a wider UK framework, with similar arrangements already operating elsewhere.

During his address, the Deputy First Minister also pointed to further changes expected in 2026, including the planned introduction of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, which the Welsh Government describes as a new partnership between the people of Wales and farmers.

The scheme is intended to support the sustainable production of food while also responding to the climate and nature emergency.

The Welsh Government has also confirmed its commitment to financial support during the transition, with up to £238 million committed to the Universal layer and the legacy Basic Payment Scheme in 2026.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: “I would like to reiterate the Welsh Government’s commitment to supporting Welsh family farms, not just in the short term but also in the long run. Our goal is to prioritise stability for the farming industry, ensuring to balance this with sustainability at its very core.”

He added that supporting farmers through the change would be a priority, with consistent advice and support offered across the sector.

Building fairness within the agricultural supply chain remains a key Welsh Government priority, which it says is also integral to food security.

Farming

Natural Resources Wales urges farmers to follow safe slurry spreading rules

Published

5 days ago

January 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NRW is reminding farmers across Wales to take key steps to prevent pollution as the organic manure spreading season re-opens.

During the autumn and winter “closed periods”, restrictions were in place to stop slurry and other high-nitrogen manures being spread, helping reduce the risk of agricultural pollution.

Grassland spreading can resume from Thursday (Jan 16), with spreading on tillage land re-opening on Friday (Jan 31). However, NRW said a number of controls under the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations (CoAPR) will remain in force until the end of February.

Those restrictions include limits on application rates — no more than 30m³ of slurry per hectare, or eight tonnes of poultry manure, in a single application — with at least three weeks required between applications.

Before spreading organic manure, producers must also carry out field inspections to assess weather and soil conditions, slope, ground cover and proximity to watercourses, to help reduce the risk of runoff.

Farm businesses are expected to plan and record all applications in their Nitrogen Management Plan to ensure nutrients match soil and crop need and remain within nitrogen limits.

Spreading is prohibited on waterlogged, flooded, snow-covered or frozen ground — including soil that has been frozen for more than 12 hours in the previous 24 hours.

NRW said its teams will continue to support farmers while monitoring compliance.

Simon Griffiths, team leader of NRW’s Agricultural Pollution Inspection Team, said: “As the closed periods come to an end, we want to remind farmers, tenants, landlords and contractors of the restrictions which remain in place until the end of February.

“This means anyone considering spreading organic manure needs to ensure the conditions are suitable before work starts.

“NRW is committed to protecting the environment and any instances of pollution will be investigated and appropriate enforcement action taken.”

NRW is urging farmers and members of the public to report pollution incidents immediately via its online “report it” form or by calling 0300 065 3000.

Business

Redevelopment scheme at Castle Villa farm to be considered

Published

6 days ago

January 16, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PREVIOUSLY refused call for the relocation of a Pembrokeshire farm diversification scheme which packages and distributes specialist medical equipment across Europe will be decided by full council after being backed a second time by councillors.

In an application recommended for refusal at the January meeting of Pembrokeshire County council’s planning committee, Mr Van Der Spoel sought permission for the relocation and expansion of an existing farm diversification business into an existing agricultural building at Castle Villa, Hayscastle.

It had previously been recommended for refusal at the December meeting, but members went against the officer recommendation with a ‘minded to’ approval, meaning it returned to the January meeting after a ‘cooling off’ period.

Back in July a similar application by Mr Van Der Spoel, through agent Harries Planning Design Management, was refused by planning officers.

A supporting statement for that application said the Dutch-born applicant, together with his wife and adult daughter ran the farm diversification business packing specialist medical insulated insulin supplies at their 135-acre sheep farm.

It added: “The business run from this site is FRIO ASTRID EURO Ltd, which has a franchise agreement with FRIO UK. This business has been run from Castle Villa since its incorporation in 1998. The business was initially run from the stable building on the farmyard at Castle Villa.

“The business set-up involves receiving stock from FRIO UK in Wolfscastle, packaging orders and distributing the stock to seven Western Europe countries.”

Wolfscastle-based FRIO produces the world’s first patented insulin cooling wallet which keeps insulin and other temperature-sensitive medicines cool and safe.

The scheme for the business, said to have outgrown its current site, was refused by county planners on grounds including a lack of “robust evidence” to prove it couldn’t be sited within a nearby settlement or an allocated employment site, such as Haverfordwest.

The latest application is recommended for refusal on similar grounds.

At the December meeting, members heard from agent Wyn Harries his client’s business, selling into Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany, accounted for some 20 per cent of FRIO UK’s trade on its own.

Mr Harries spoke again at the January meeting, saying previous articles in the Western Telegraph had shown a great deal of public support for the scheme, which had no local objections, adding of the previous ‘minded to’ approval: “Comments on the Western Telegraph [story] show the general populace would be like-minded with the councillors.”

Cllr Mark Carter said: “The only comments [locally] are why aren’t they allowed to continue? It’s almost an ideal business, they are there, it’s tidy, they are getting on with it, there’s never a complaint, it is very hard to see the business that is going on there; I’m absolutely fully supportive of this family.”

Officers had, if members were again supportive of the scheme, proposed a Section 106 legal agreement condition for approval, to ensure the FRIO ASTRID storage and distribution use remains in the same ownership and control as the existing farm business.

A call by Cllr John T Davies to again go against the officer recommendation of refusal was made, supported by 11 members, with one voting for refusal.

The application will now go before a future full council meeting for a final decision, expected to be the March meeting.