This year, the Farmers’ Union of Wales marks its 70th anniversary, a significant milestone celebrated at their Annual Business Conference (ABC), held in Aberystwyth on June 12th and 13th..

Over a hundred staff and senior officials from both the Union and FUW Insurance Services gathered to network, reflect on the past year, and commemorate seven decades since the Union's establishment in 1955.

The conference agenda included a presentation from the Farmers’ Union of Wales Group Chief Executive Guto Bebb reflecting on the business’ growth over the year. A panel discussion, featuring FUW Insurance Services’ Chair, Ann Beynon OBE, and Board Member, Louise Coulton, as well as FUW President Ian Rickman and Farm Director, Gareth Lloyd also delved into the challenges and opportunities facing the business and the broader agriculture sector.

The ABC received strong support from over twenty business partners, with FarmWeb - one of FUW Insurance Services' insurer partners - sponsoring the conference. Meanwhile, MSAmlin sponsored the conference dinner, while Close Brothers Finance sponsored the pre-dinner drinks reception.

Awards

As well as an opportunity to reflect on the year, the ABC also provided an opportunity to recognise and highlight the work of FUW and FUW Insurance Services’ staff throughout the year, with an award presentation sponsored by specialist motor insurer, ERS.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales’ Finance Department was awarded the FUW Best Team Award. The award recognised the staff’s hard work and dedication in effectively managing the FUW’s finances, with the team’s careful and effective work frequently gaining plaudits from external auditors.

Joyce Owens, Administrative Assistant in FUW’s Carmarthen office was awarded the Meurig Voyle Award, which is presented to a staff member who has shown commitment, loyalty, support and enthusiasm towards the union. Joyce has worked for the FUW for over 20 years, working effectively as a key link between the union and its membership in Carmarthenshire. 

It was a double success for Joyce, as the FUW Carmarthen team were also awarded the Owen Slaymaker Award, given annually to the county branch that has best promoted the interests of members and the FUW. As well as serving the membership in Carmarthenshire, the team has also effectively supported members across Glamorgan over recent months. The award was particularly timely this year, as the FUW celebrates 70 years since its establishment in Carmarthenshire. 

FUW Insurance Services’ staff were also presented with awards in a presentation sponsored by specialist motor insurer, ERS.

Senior Account Executive, Sam Evans won the Business Development Award recognising the largest growth of an individual portfolio. Over the past year, Sam has generated a significant amount of growth through the exceptional level of service that he offers current and new customers. Sam dedicated his award to his late friend and colleague, Will Beynon, who passed away earlier this year. 

The Llanrwst-based duo of Sophie Pritchard and Lowri Williams were also recognised for their work, with Sophie winning the Best Managed Portfolio for an Account Executive award, and Lowri Williams winning the Best Managed Portfolio for an Account Handler award. The awards recognised their efforts in managing their portfolio with precision, meeting key performance indicators and being top of the league in every audit.  All of this whilst hitting a level of sales growth that was impressive.

Finally, Lampeter-based Heulwen Thomas won the Account Handler of the year award. Heulwen is an integral part of the Lampeter team, where she is extremely conscientious and works to the highest standards. Heulwen is somewhat of an unsung hero of the company working quietly and calmly in the background so it was fitting that her contribution was acknowledged.

Commenting following a successful conference, Farmers’ Union of Wales President, Ian Rickman, said:

"This year's Annual Business Conference was a truly special occasion, marking 70 years since the inception of the Farmers' Union of Wales. It was a fantastic opportunity to bring together our teams from both the Union and FUW Insurance Services, reflecting on our achievements and looking ahead to the future of agriculture. 

The commitment and hard work of our staff are the backbone of our success, and it was a privilege to acknowledge their exceptional contributions through the awards ceremony. We're immensely proud of all our winners and indeed, every member of our team who continues to drive our growth as a business, and work tirelessly in serving the needs of rural Wales."

FUW Insurance Services Chair, Ann Beynon OBE added:

"The success of our Annual Business Conference would not have been possible without the incredible support of our valued business partners. We are immensely grateful to FarmWeb for their sponsorship of the conference, and to all our other partners that supported the successful two days. Their continued commitment to our event underscores the strong partnerships we've built which allows the business to continue to grow from strength to strength.

The atmosphere throughout the two days was incredibly positive. I found it particularly inspiring to see so many colleagues engaged in meaningful discussions and networking, reflecting the strength and collaborative spirit that drives our collective success."

FUW Insurance Services is a trading style of FUW Insurance Services Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number (FRN) 615251. Registered firm and address : FUW Insurance Services Limited, Llys Amaeth, Plas Gogerddan, Penrhyncoch, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, SY23 3BT. Registered in England & Wales 07981993.

With the National Eisteddfod being held in Wrexham this August, it is a pleasure for the Denbigh and Flint branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales to present the Chair for the cultural festival.

The Chair and the Crown were presented to the Eisteddfod Executive Committee in a special ceremony in Wrexham on Tuesday 17 June, with officers from the FUW present, including Denbigh County Chair, Gwion Owen, and Flint Chair, Tim Faire.

The Chair was crafted by Gafyn Owen and his business partner Sean Nelson from MijMoj Design in their workshop in Flint. The wood from the Chair comes from the Erddig estate near Wrexham.

The chair incorporates four main themes that reflect the community and history of Wrexham - namely coal, football, aqueduct and breweries. 

The back of the Chair reflects the arch of the Pontcysyllte aqueduct, while the upper part of the Chair takes inspiration from the shape of the roof of the Racecourse, the city's football ground. The Chair also pays tribute to a horrific accident at Gresford colliery in 1934 which killed 261 men. There is also reference to the historic breweries of the area.

The Chair is presented for an ‘awdl’ or collection of poems in strict metre, on more than one of the traditional measures, of no more than 250 lines, on the subject ‘Dinas’ (‘City’). The Eisteddfod Chairing ceremony will be held on Friday 8 August, with the financial prize being given by Coleg Cambria.

Organisations, including the Farmers’ Union of Wales, have written to the Welsh Government raising the critical issue of Wales’ diminishing local abattoir infrastructure.

The letter, addressed to Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, has been co-signed by 7 organisations, including Nature Friendly Farming Network, North Wales Wildlife Trust, Pasture for Life, Plantlife Cymru, Rare Breeds Survival Trust, RSPB Cymru and the Sustainable Food Trust. 

In 1990 there were 58 red meat abattoirs in Wales, whereas today there are just fifteen, with nine being small-medium, and five of these being classed as small. Even fewer are able to provide all of the services farmers need to sell directly to local consumers, such as butchering, packaging, processing small numbers of animals, multi-species animals, having organic certification, and the ability to deal with horned animals, or those ‘over thirty months’ (OTM).

This issue puts Welsh farmers’ ability to sell and distinguish their products from imports produced to lower environmental and animal welfare standards at risk.

All co-signatures of the letter highlighted the role of grazing livestock for the management and enhancement of priority habitats across Wales, from peatlands to salt marshes, species-rich grasslands to heathlands, ffriddoedd and ‘Celtic Woodlands’. Complementing this grazing with being able to sell directly to the consumer, supports the economic sustainability of farming businesses through ‘added value’ sales, particularly when the hardier breeds of livestock that are typically used will often have less of a commercial value.

Commenting, Farmers’ Union of Wales President, Ian Rickman said: “The FUW has been clear that if the Welsh Government wants to promote a ‘circular economy’ and ensure Welsh produce produced to high environmental standards can be marketed as such, then the abattoir infrastructure is an essential enabler. The fact that Australian and New Zealand lamb imports have increased by 78%, at the same time that farmers in Wales are struggling to sell their produce locally, makes no sense. Such a situation undermines the efforts farmers are making to enhance biodiversity, nutritional value, and low carbon produce sold to Welsh consumers, as well as the integrity of Welsh Lamb and Beef’s ‘Protected Geographical Indication’ status.

"The FUW’s Livestock and Hill Farming Committee wish to see the Government providing additional support to abattoirs in light of increased and burdensome regulation, running costs and veterinary capacity issues. The letter also urges the Government to ensure the Food Standards Agency small abattoir discount is maintained, that they recognise the abattoir network as ‘critical infrastructure for Wales’, and work with industry to explore solutions such as capital grant schemes.”

Other issues facing abattoirs include ‘animal by-products’ (such as skins, hides or offal) which used to represent an income stream for abattoirs and contributed towards a circular economy, which are now an added cost due to disposal charges.  

Teleri Fielden, Farmers’ Union of Wales Policy Officer added: “Farmers in Wales are rightfully proud of our high animal welfare standards and the quality of life afforded to many grazing livestock. Whilst out of the farmers’ control, short journeys to slaughter is part of this, as is access to casualty and emergency slaughter services.  However, there is only one slaughterhouse in Wales which has the ‘contract’ to receive BovineTB reactors, creating lengthy journeys and additional stress to both the animal and the farmer experiencing a bTB breakdown.

"As the letter outlines, the startling loss of small and local abattoirs in Wales, which is replicated across the rest of the UK, poses a threat to sustainable farming, biodiversity restoration, Welsh produce, animal welfare and our circular economy. The FUW looks forward to finding solutions to this issue by working with the Welsh Government and the wider industry.”

The letter can be read in full by following this link: https://fuw.org.uk/en/wales-local-abattoir-network

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has responded to the Welsh Government’s statement today (12/06/2025) regarding Bluetounge Virus control following the decision by the UK Government to impose an England-wide Bluetounge Restriction Zone (RZ) from the 1st of July 2025.

Commenting, FUW President, Ian Rickman said:

“The Welsh Government’s call to retain an approach to keeping Bluetongue Virus out of Wales by not aligning with Defra’s decision to impose an England-wide Bluetongue Restriction Zone from 1 July will come as disappointment to the industry.

As farmers our first instinct is to keep any disease out, but in order to maintain economic stability within the industry, the FUW has repeatedly lobbied the Welsh Government to simultaneously align with the changes proposed in England, as the sheer number of cross-border holdings and trading activity will be vastly disrupted with this policy decision, meanwhile midges that carry and spread the virus would not respect any such boundaries.

Defra’s decision will inevitably bring disease to the Welsh-English border and places both the Welsh Government and the wider industry in an impossible situation. However, given this ‘when’ not ‘if’ circumstance of Bluetongue encroachment into Wales, the FUW believes that enforcing a border between Wales and England is both a futile endeavour and wholly impractical.

The on-farm practicalities involved with adhering to this policy position brings with it a wealth of barriers and complications. The mechanics of issuing licences in a timely manner, arranging and conducting pre-movement sampling and testing, co-ordinating haulage and the extortionate costs and disruption to cross-border holdings and trade, it is feared that the decision to hold back the tide will be entirely unattainable and impractical.”

The Welsh Government Statement refers to the importance of vaccination as the best way of insuring flocks and herds against any future incursion of the disease.

“Vaccination is an important weapon in the armoury that has been widely deployed throughout Europe. The FUW feels strongly that the Welsh Government must support industry to manage and mitigate the animal health and welfare impacts of Bluetongue Virus.

With that, clear guidelines and advice must be readily available for the 550 cross-border farming businesses and numerous livestock markets that straddle the Welsh-English border.

We acknowledge the Welsh Government’s commitment to monitor and review the approach as the situation develops. Full consultation with the industry must continue to ensure cross-border farms, livestock markets and the wider supply chain have sufficient time to make suitable arrangements.

To that end, the FUW calls on the Welsh Government to set out clear timeframes for regular review intervals. It is crucial that this position is regularly reviewed ahead of the autumn considering the pace at which the virus can spread during the high transmission period.”

ENDS