Next steps for the governance of the Welsh bovine TB Programme was at the top of the agenda when Farmers’ Union of Wales staff and officials met with the Minister for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, today (25 July) at the Royal Welsh Show.

Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Deputy Head of Policy said: “We had a constructive discussion with the Minister regarding industry involvement in future bovine TB control policies in Wales. We reiterated many of the concerns outlined in our response to the last Refreshed TB programme in Wales and we were pleased that the Welsh Government repeated their commitment to partnership working on the future control programme.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed positive feedback from Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford over a number of issues raised with him during a meeting at the Royal Welsh Show.

Speaking after the meeting on Monday (24 July), FUW President Ian Rickman said: “A diverse range of issues of concern to the industry were raised with the First Minister. 

The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) has said the Welsh Government's announcement that mainstream Glastir contracts will not be extended will cause major concerns across the industry both in terms of the implications for farm businesses and the practicalities of designing and introducing a new replacement scheme over a period of just a few months.

The Welsh Government announced on Friday (21 July) that Glastir Advanced, Glastir Commons and Glastir Organic contracts would not be extended beyond December this year, and that all Welsh farmers would instead be offered the option to sign up to a 12 month whole farm scheme focussing on habitat land.

Uncertainties faced by the farming industry in Wales and what support is required from Government were top of the agenda, when Farmers’ Union of Wales President Ian Rickman met with Secretary of State David TC Davies in London recently.

A significant scheme that will set out payment mechanisms for the industry in the future, the Sustainable Farming Scheme, offers an opportunity to support the sector if the right financial package is received from Westminster. Discussing the upcoming Sustainable Farming Scheme, Mr Rickman said: “Whilst it is vitally important that the Welsh Government design a scheme that truly works for every farm in Wales, it is also imperative we have the budget to deliver it.