The FUW will be raising a glass of milk to celebrate the benefits of dairy on the upcoming World School Milk Day held on Wednesday 24th September 2025.

Over 40 countries will be joining us in celebrating this special day and the role that school milk programmes play in supporting children’s health and wellbeing.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has launched its Senedd Election Manifesto, ‘Tir - Teulu - Treftadaeth - Standing Strong for Family Farms’, outlining key policy priorities for the farming sector ahead of the upcoming Welsh elections in May 2026.

Launched at the Usk Show in Monmouthshire on Saturday (13 September), the manifesto sets out the FUW’s key policy priorities ahead of next year’s Senedd elections. It calls on the next Welsh Government to provide stability, sustainability and long-term support for Welsh family farms – described as the “foundation of our rural economy, culture and landscape.”

At its core, the manifesto calls for continued collaboration to deliver a fair and fit-for-purpose Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), which is set to be introduced from 1st January 2026. The FUW is urging the next Welsh Government to work closely with the industry to deliver a scheme that secures a thriving and sustainable future for family farms, including a funding uplift from the current Universal-layer budget of £238 million to fully mitigate the Scheme’s estimated economic impacts, an index-linked budget to provide certainty for the future, and a five-year financial framework to ensure businesses can make well-informed decisions with confidence.

The document also emphasises the need to strengthen Wales’ food system, highlighting the importance of production, processing, and public procurement. It calls for genuine support for Welsh produce through shorter supply chains, long-term investment for small abattoirs, and legislative levers to underpin food security.

Other key asks include: tackling farm bureaucracy and red tape; new measures to support young and new entrants into farming, building on the FUW’s Mandate for Future Farmers report; a holistic, science-led approach to bovine TB eradication that addresses wildlife as well as cattle; and a risk-based review of water quality regulations to ensure policies are proportionate, affordable and effective.

The manifesto also calls for land use decisions to balance economic, social and environmental goals, rewarding farmers fairly for their role in climate action and biodiversity. It stresses the need to strengthen rural communities and support the Welsh language, as well as secure Wales’ biosecurity through greater collaboration with UK Government and stakeholders to tackle illegal meat imports.

Commenting following the launch of the manifesto, Ian Rickman, FUW President, said:

“As the FUW marks 70 years of standing strong for Welsh family farms, we are calling on the next Welsh Government to build on the recent progress made through constructive engagement on the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

Family farms are the backbone of Wales’ economy, culture and landscape – supporting jobs, businesses and communities while producing world-class food. 

This manifesto sets out our key asks for the next Senedd and Welsh Government, all rooted in our determination to secure a strong future for family farms, food production and rural communities. We look forward to engaging with candidates during the pre-election period, and the FUW is committed to working with the next Welsh Government to secure a thriving and sustainable future for family farms in Wales.”

The Farmers' Union of Wales manifesto is available to be read in full here.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has reiterated its concerns about the potential impact of a proposed North East Wales National Park on rural communities and farming businesses, urging residents to take part in the latest consultation process.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has launched a 12-week statutory consultation on the proposed Glyndŵr National Park, beginning Monday 15 September 2025. 

The consultation follows two years of technical assessments and public engagement commissioned by the Welsh Government. Members of the public, organisations and stakeholders are invited to view the revised proposals and submit feedback before the deadline on Monday 8 December 2025.

Maps of the proposed area are available online, and a series of public events will be held to support understanding and engagement.

Tim Faire, Chair of the FUW’s Land Use and Parliamentary Committee, said:

“Feedback received from our members in and around the proposed National Park area reflects a high level of concern and uncertainty about the practical implications of this proposal.

Questions remain around how a new National Park would be funded and managed, and what it would mean in practice for local planning, farming businesses, and rural infrastructure - much of which is already under strain and unlikely to cope with the added pressures that National Park designation could bring.

"While we recognise the value of protecting our landscapes, we believe the existing National Landscape designation provides a strong foundation. Future land management goals can be better achieved through local engagement and existing policy tools—without adding another costly and complex layer of designation.

Taking part in the consultation is therefore vital to make sure rural voices are heard, and that the real impact on farming and local communities is properly considered.”

Wyn Williams, FUW Montgomeryshire Chair, also warned of the wider implications for Powys:

"While we welcome the revised map and the removal of areas such as Llanfyllin and the Vyrnwy Valley, it is baffling that parts of Montgomeryshire are still included in a proposed National Park for North East Wales. Powys would become the only county in Wales to host two national parks, and at a time of economic uncertainty—with key services and assets like council farms already under pressure—there are valid questions about the potential financial implications for the local authority.

The additional bureaucratic responsibilities likely to come with this designation are also a concern for our farming communities, particularly given the challenges already facing Welsh agriculture. There is a real risk of added pressure on farming families and rural communities, as well as uncertainty over whether local infrastructure could meet the demands associated with National Park status."

To view the proposals, consultation events, and respond to the consultation, visit the consultation page before 8 December 2025.

This Rural Crime Action Week (8th - 12th September), the Farmers’ Union of Wales and FUW Insurance Services Ltd are reminding farmers of the importance of being vigilant to the growing threats facing rural communities, with farmers often bearing the brunt of criminal activity.

Crimes such as machinery and livestock theft, vandalism, and trespassing are becoming increasingly sophisticated, leaving farmers vulnerable and eroding the traditional sense of security in the countryside.