Last week, Carmarthenshire took centre stage in Westminster at a special celebration organised in collaboration between the Farmers’ Union of Wales and Caerfyrddin Member of Parliament, Ann Davies.
‘Carmarthenshire Day’ was held at the historic Westminster Hall, bringing together a wealth of parliamentarians, peers and producers in a vibrant showcase of rural Welsh excellence.
As part of the celebrations, nine celebrated producers from across the length and breadth of Carmarthenshire were present: Bremenda Isaf, Tregroes Waffles, Brecon Carreg, Castell Howell, Coaltown Coffee, Mêl Gwenyn Gruffydd, Caws Cenarth, Carmarthen Ham and The Welsh Wool Shop. Each had the opportunity to engage with MPs, Lords and guests, offering a powerful insight into the diversity and quality of Carmarthenshire’s food, drink and craft sectors.
The event was officially opened by Dame Nia Griffith MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the UK Government’s Wales Office, herself Member of Parliament for the Llanelli constituency in Carmarthenshire.
The event drew a wide range of cross-party politicians and peers from across the UK, including Ruth Jones MP, Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, and Defra Shadow Secretary of State, Victoria Atkins MP. The politicians were also joined by over 35 Farmers’ Union of Wales members and supporters from Carmarthenshire, who made the journey along the M4 to celebrate the special day.
Commenting following the successful event, Ann Davies MP, who has served as Chair of the Farmers’ Union of Wales' Carmarthenshire branch since 2023 said:
“Carmarthenshire is a county built on hard work, innovation and community, it was a huge privilege to bring our producers to Westminster and to showcase what makes our part of Wales so special. This event was about more than products – it was about giving rural voices the platform they deserve and reminding Westminster of the value of regions like ours both economically and culturally.”
The celebration follows similar events previously hosted by the Farmers’ Union of Wales in Westminster, including Montgomeryshire Day in 2023.
The Carmarthenshire Day celebrations were particularly timely for the Farmers’ Union of Wales too, as they celebrate seventy years since the agricultural union was founded in Carmarthenshire in December 1955.
Commenting, FUW President Ian Rickman said:
"2025 marks an important year for the Farmers' Union of Wales, as we celebrate seventy years since the Union was founded in Carmarthenshire.
Working alongside Ann Davies MP, we were therefore delighted to support this successful event, bringing a taste of West Wales to the heart of Westminster.
It was so heartening to see the event so well-attended by politicians and peers providing them not only with an opportunity to sample outstanding produce we boast in Wales, but also a valuable lobbying opportunity for FUW to highlight the range of challenges and changes facing Welsh farmers.”
The Farmers’ Union of Wales has responded to the trade deal between UK and US, warning that safeguards must continue to be in place to protect Welsh farmers from being undermined by imports produced to lower food production standards.
As part of the agreement, the US has gained broader access to the UK agricultural market, including a tariff-free quota for 13,000 tonnes of US beef and a tariff-free quota for ethanol.
The US anticipates a $5 billion increase in agricultural exports to the UK.
The UK Government has however stated that there will be no lowering of domestic food standards as part of the deal, and imports of hormone-treated beef and chlorinated chicken will remain illegal.
The deal also provides reciprocal Beef Access for UK farmers - including a tariff-free quota of 13,000 metric tonnes for UK beef exports to the US, providing a potential new market for British farmers.
As transatlantic negotiations have continued over recent weeks, the FUW has intensely lobbied the UK Government to ensure Welsh agricultural interests are not sold down the river in pursuit of any short-term trade, particularly in competing with sub-standard imports from across the Atlantic.
Whilst the agreement enshrines imported food and agricultural goods must comply with the importing country's sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, the FUW has highlighted the divergence between food safety standards, and food production standards. Food produced to different standards could undermine Welsh farmers, as has already been the case in previous trade deals.
Commenting, FUW President, Ian Rickman said:
“The Farmers’ Union of Wales has repeatedly stressed over recent weeks that Welsh agriculture must not become collateral damage in the UK Government's pursuit of short-term trade concessions with the US, by forcing farmers into an unfair competition with cheaper, sub-standard US imports.
We therefore recognise the UK Government's assurance that this agreement will not compromise food, environmental or animal welfare standards.
While reciprocal beef access presents distinct opportunities for farmers, an influx of US beef imports could however disrupt our domestic market and undermine Welsh farmers already grappling with unprecedented uncertainty
Comprehensive and unambiguous country-of-origin labelling is therefore vital to ensure the UK public can make fully informed purchasing decisions. Furthermore, meticulous scrutiny and policing of imports must be non-negotiable. Any deviation in standards would constitute a betrayal of Welsh farmers, our food sector, as well as potentially undermining any future trading relationship with the EU.
Over recent years, Welsh farmers have too often borne the brunt of trade deals forged with countries that prioritise different food production standards. These have undermined UK food production, whilst delivering little return in regard to new markets or tangible opportunities.
As the dust settles over the coming weeks, we will continue to keep a close eye on developments.”
Earlier this week, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) met with Welsh Conservatives Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Education and Rural Affairs, Samuel Kurtz MS to discuss the changes and challenges facing Welsh agriculture.
The meeting followed the announcement earlier this month that the Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire Senedd Member, had been reappointed as the party’s Rural Affairs spokesperson, having previously held the portfolio between 2021 and 2024.
With a year to go until the Senedd elections, the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss a range of issues facing Welsh agriculture, including the continued impact of bovine TB, the implementation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zone regulations, and the future of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, which is due to be announced later this year.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the ongoing concerns over the UK Government’s changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) outlined in the Autumn Budget.
The FUW’s own analysis suggests as many as 48% of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) recipients in Wales could be affected by the changes,with the union warning the changes could have devastating impact on family farms and food production.
Commenting following the meeting, FUW President, Ian Rickman said: “We welcomed the opportunity to meet Samuel in the Senedd, and congratulate him on his re-appointment to the Rural Affairs portfolio. Through his farming background, Sam has an in-depth understanding of the sector and the many issues we face, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with him over the coming months.
"At a time when Welsh farmers are facing a perfect storm of changes and challenges, the meeting provided a useful meeting to discuss many of these aspects further - including the NVZs, SFS, and the dark shadow bovine TB continues to cast over the Welsh farming sector.”
Commenting, Samuel Kurtz MS added: “Our farmers are the backbone of our communities. They don’t just produce our food, they support our rural economy, uphold Welsh culture, and care for our countryside. I will always stand up for farmers across Wales and continue to fight for a future in which agriculture can thrive.
“I have been consistent that farming needs a friend, and I will continue to be that friend to farming in Wales.”
The Farmers’ Union of Wales recently welcomed Plaid Cymru South Wales East Senedd Members, Delyth Jewell MS and Peredur Owen Griffiths MS on a farm visit in Blaenau Gwent, highlighting the uncertainties facing the agricultural sector in Wales.
The pair visited FUW Gwent County Chair, Wayne Langford’s farm near Trefil, Blaenau Gwent. Delyth and Peredur have become regular visitors on Wayne and Tracy’s farm over recent years, calling by the farm during lambing season to see the new lambs, and learn more about the challenges facing the farming sector.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues, including developments regarding the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), the UK Government’s changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) as well as the wider implications of Donald Trump’s tariffs and potential transatlantic trade deal that could undermine Welsh farmers.
Earlier this month, the FUW wrote to the UK Government warning about the dangers of an unfavourable trade deal between the USA and UK.
The union warned a rushed trade deal could see Welsh agricultural interests being “sold down the river” in the UK Government’s pursuit of short-term trade concessions. This could see Welsh farmers competing with cheaper, sub-standard imports, including chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef.
Delyth and Peredur were joined by FUW President, Ian Rickman, FUW Regional Vice-President, Brian Bowen and FUW Policy Officer, Gemma Haines.
Commenting following the visit, Peredur Owen Griffiths, Plaid Cymru Senedd Member for South Wales East said:
“Welsh farmers are weathering an unprecedented storm of challenges. From the looming uncertainty surrounding future Welsh Government farm funding to the impact of ill-conceived UK Government policies, and the very real threat of unfavourable trade deals that could erode Wales' cherished high food standards.
We remain grateful to the FUW for providing this vital opportunity to once again visit Wayne's farm and delve deeper into these pressing issues. Given the fundamental role family farms play in the vitality of our rural communities, it is imperative that governments at both ends of the M4 prioritise and implement more robust support that ensures their future sustainability.”
Farmers’ Union of Wales President, Ian Rickman added:
“We were delighted to welcome Delyth and Peredur to Wayne and Tracy’s farm once again.
Farm visits provide a terrific opportunity for politicians to see the realities facing farmers with their own eyes, as well as an opportunity to discuss wider challenges facing the agricultural sector - be it ongoing talks over the Sustainable Farming Scheme, changes to inheritance tax, or transatlantic trade talks.
As the 2026 Senedd election swiftly approaches, we look forward to continuing to lobby politicians to ensure the interests of the farming sector and rural Wales will be at the forefront of the next government’s priorities.”
This week, submissions closed for the Welsh Affairs Committee’s inquiry into the challenges and opportunities facing farming in Wales. The Farmers’ Union of Wales welcomed the opportunity to contribute to this inquiry, highlighting the perfect storm of challenges facing Welsh farmers from a UK Government perspective.
The ongoing concern over the ill-thought-out changes to Agriculture Property Relief (APR) played a prominent part in our submission. As the FUW warned HM Treasury in our meeting in February, these changes could have a significant impact on our rural communities and food production.
Whilst the Prime Minister previously insisted that a “vast majority” of Welsh farmers would not be affected by the changes,our analysis suggests 48% of BPS recipients in Wales could be subject to the new inheritance tax proposals. Our submission therefore provided an opportunity to highlight this disproportionate impact and outline our alternative proposals. These alternatives include advocating for transitional arrangements for those in these impossible circumstances and the establishment of a UK-wide working group to agree on a dataset that accurately represents the extent and impact of this change in policy.
The inquiry also provided an opportunity for the FUW to once again voice our concern over the UK Government’s decision to ‘Barnettise’ future agricultural funding.
Historically, Wales has received around 9.4% of the total UK EU Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) budget - this allocation was based on a need-based formula, which reflected Welsh farm and rural characteristics. The UK Government’s Autumn Budget however saw a change; with future adjustments to the Welsh agricultural budget now being subject to the Barnett Formula. This will result in a fall from 9.4% to 5% of any proportional uplifts (or reductions) the UK agriculture budget receives.
Whilst this point may seem technical, it could have a drastic impact on the amount of funding Welsh Government receives for agriculture in future. At a time when Welsh farmers are expected to deliver an ever increasing range of sustainability and environmental objectives, while also producing food, the FUW believes that the previous needs-based allocation formula, which reflects Welsh farm and rural characteristics, should be restored for future consequential adjustments.
The inquiry also provided an opportunity to consider the impact of leaving the EU on Welsh farms. This again provided an opportunity to relay our concerns that successive UK Governments have not held agriculture and rural development in as high regard as the EU Commission continues to do for its Member States through the Common Agricultural Policy.
The FUW’s full evidence submission can be found by following this link.
