Unions’ Welsh Farming Vision: SFS, Food Plan at Llandudno 2026

Key Points

• NFU Cymru and the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) presented a shared vision for Welsh farming at a fringe event during the Welsh Conservatives’ conference in Llandudno.
• The event was opened by Sam Kurtz MS, Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for economy, energy and rural affairs.​
• FUW President Ian Rickman and NFU Cymru President Abi Reader outlined seven shared ambitions forming the foundation of their respective manifestos.
• Key priorities include long-term stability, fair funding for agriculture, and a stronger voice for rural Wales in the next Senedd and Welsh Government.
• Central focus on the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), calling for fair, long-term funding to give farmers planning confidence.
• Demand for a Welsh Food Plan to support domestic food production and enhance national food security.
• Tackling on-farm bureaucracy, science-led bovine TB eradication strategy, and addressing NVZ regulations’ unintended consequences for family farms.
• Promotion of balanced land use approach meeting environmental and social needs while supporting farming businesses and rural communities.
• Ian Rickman stated: “The Sustainable Farming Scheme has the potential to be a policy that supports Welsh farming to deliver for our environment, economy, and communities. The next Welsh Government and Senedd must commit to developing it further and ensure it delivers fair rewards for the work farmers do every day.”
• Thanks to Welsh Conservatives for support during 14-month battle over UK government’s inheritance tax changes.
• Abi Reader stated: “After a long, hard-fought campaign, a fantastic outcome was secured in December when we saw the threshold at which IHT kicks in raised significantly. Whilst the policy of taxing business assets as if they are personal wealth remains misguided, the lifting of the thresholds combined with the transferability of the allowance, now places most family farms in Wales outside the reach of this highly destructive tax, and that is something we welcome.”
• Abi Reader added: “Every single person in Wales depends on the future of Welsh farming, whether for the food on their plate or the livelihoods sustained by the industry. Farmers want to continue playing their part in a strong, sustainable and successful Wales, but they need the support and stability to do so.”
• Ian Rickman concluded: “We want to work constructively with the next Welsh Government and Senedd, whatever its composition, to ensure that farming continues to be the beating heart of rural Wales; supporting our economy, our language, and our communities. Both Unions have valued the strong relationships built up with the Welsh Conservatives and thank Sam Kurtz in particular for the advocacy he has delivered for the sector.”

Wales (The Wales Times) February 23, 2026 – NFU Cymru and the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) unveiled a unified vision for the future of Welsh agriculture to politicians, candidates, and party members at a fringe event during the Welsh Conservatives’ conference. The presentations by FUW President Ian Rickman and NFU Cymru President Abi Reader highlighted urgent calls for stability, fair funding, and amplified rural representation in the forthcoming Senedd. Seven shared ambitions underpin their manifestos, addressing critical challenges ahead of the next Welsh Government.

What was the event about?

The fringe event, hosted at the Welsh Conservative Party conference in Llandudno, gathered key stakeholders to discuss Welsh farming’s trajectory. Opened by Sam Kurtz MS, the Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for economy, energy and rural affairs, it featured direct addresses from the union leaders. As reported in the Pembrokeshire Herald, the session urged long-term stability, fair agricultural funding, and a robust voice for rural communities in policymaking.

NFU Cymru’s official coverage detailed how the unions relayed priorities to an audience of politicians and party members. The event emphasised collaborative ambitions amid upcoming Senedd elections.

Who opened the event?

Sam Kurtz MS, Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for economy, energy and rural affairs, welcomed delegates and set the tone for the discussion. His involvement underscored the party’s engagement with farming issues. Both unions later thanked Kurtz specifically for his advocacy, as noted by Ian Rickman in NFU Cymru’s report.

What are the seven shared ambitions?

The unions outlined seven shared ambitions as the bedrock of their manifestos, though specifics beyond key highlights were not enumerated in reports. These form a collective call for policy reform tailored to Welsh needs. Coverage from multiple outlets confirms their foundational role in union strategies.

Why is the Sustainable Farming Scheme crucial?

A central focus was the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), with demands for fair, long-term funding to enable confident planning. As reported by the Pembrokeshire Herald, both unions stressed funding certainty amid the scheme’s rollout from 2026, replacing the Basic Payment Scheme. FUW President Ian Rickman, as quoted in NFU Cymru’s account and the Pembrokeshire Herald, said:

“The Sustainable Farming Scheme has the potential to support Welsh farming to deliver for our environment, economy and communities. The next Welsh Government and Senedd must commit to developing it further and ensure it delivers fair rewards for the work farmers do every day.”

The scheme’s universal, optional, and collaborative layers were previously hailed by the FUW as a generational milestone, per their July 2025 statement.​

What is the Welsh Food Plan?

Both unions called for a Welsh Food Plan to bolster domestic production and national food security. This initiative aims to safeguard local supply chains amid global uncertainties. NFU Cymru’s report positions it as essential for sustainable farming.

How do unions plan to tackle bovine TB?

A science-led strategy to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (TB) features prominently among priorities. The Pembrokeshire Herald noted this as part of reducing disease burdens on farms. Unions seek evidence-based policies to protect livestock and livelihoods.

What issues surround NVZ regulations?

Ongoing concerns over Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) regulations persist, with unintended consequences for family farms highlighted. Both organisations urge reviews to mitigate impacts on smaller operations. The Pembrokeshire Herald reported these as key discussion points.

Why reduce on-farm bureaucracy?

Tackling bureaucracy is a shared ambition to streamline operations and cut administrative burdens. This would allow farmers to focus on production rather than paperwork.

What is the vision for land use?

Both unions advocate a balanced land use approach reconciling environmental, social needs with viable farming and rural communities. NFU Cymru’s coverage emphasised sustainability without compromising businesses.

What thanks were given for inheritance tax support?

Gratitude was expressed to Welsh Conservatives for backing during the 14-month UK government inheritance tax dispute. NFU Cymru President Abi Reader, as cited in her union’s report and the Pembrokeshire Herald, said:

“After a long, hard-fought campaign, a positive outcome was secured in December when we saw the threshold at which inheritance tax applies raised significantly. While taxing business assets as if they are personal wealth remains misguided, the changes now place most family farms in Wales outside the reach of this highly damaging tax, and that is something we welcome.”

What did Abi Reader say about farming’s importance?

Abi Reader stressed societal dependence on farming, stating per NFU Cymru:

“Every single person in Wales depends on the future of Welsh farming, whether for the food on their plate or the livelihoods sustained by the industry. Farmers want to continue playing their part in a strong, sustainable and successful Wales, but they need the support and stability to do so.”

How does Ian Rickman view collaboration?

Ian Rickman affirmed constructive engagement, as per NFU Cymru:

“We want to work constructively with the next Welsh Government and Senedd, whatever its composition, to ensure farming continues to be the beating heart of rural Wales, supporting our economy, our language and our communities. Both Unions have valued the strong relationships built up with the Welsh Conservatives and thank Sam Kurtz in particular for the advocacy he has delivered for the sector.”

This event signals farming unions’ proactive stance ahead of Senedd polls, blending critique with partnership offers. Coverage across outlets like the Pembrokeshire Herald and NFU Cymru underscores broad resonance. Welsh agriculture faces policy transitions, with unions positioning for influence. The Llandudno gathering amplifies rural voices at a pivotal juncture.