In February, Wales received 187.5% of the rainfall compared to the long-term average (1981-2010). Some parts of Wales including Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Glamorgan received more than twice the monthly rainfall compared to the long-term average. Wales has also experienced the second wettest 8-month period (July to February) in over 100 years.
Moving forward, the Met Office UK 3-month outlook (April to June) suggests there is a moderately increased likelihood, compared to normal, of a wet period and given the current state of the ground following a particularly wet period for much of the UK, impacts from rainfall are still possible.
This is a challenging time for farmers who are having to deal with the impacts of prolonged wet weather. This NFU Cymru briefing page provides a summary of impacts and concerns.
Summary of impacts of continued wet weather on farming
As a result of the prolonged wet weather observed across Wales in recent months, many farmers are experiencing a range of effects including:
Summary of NFU Cymru's key asks shared with Welsh Government
- In the short-term, Welsh Government must show flexibility in the delivery of various scheme requirements including cross compliance for the Basic Payment Scheme and other rural investment schemes such as
the Growing for the Environment Scheme, introducing derogations where necessary. - NRW must adopt a sensible approach and demonstrate flexibility and understanding in the enforcement approach to environmental regulation including the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations (NVZs).
- In order to build longer term resilience, Welsh Government must bring forward the £20m committed to support farmer compliance with the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations. NFU Cymru continues to call for a Wales wide review of local planning authorities and NRWs approach to applications for new infrastructure with the aim of streamlining and reducing the burden associated with undertaking work to meet regulatory requirements and for environmental betterment.
- In terms of flood risk management policy, greater emphasis is needed on properly valuing and protecting agricultural land.
- Weather events of recent months have again highlighted the importance the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) to Welsh farm businesses. The commitment to providing the BPS at the same level for 2024 is welcomed and the need for timely delivery of the BPS in 2024 cannot be overstated. Moving forward the need for a stability measure to provide stability and address volatility caused by factors beyond the control of individual farmers as a permanent feature of future agricultural policy will be vital.
Overall, it is clear that agriculture is at the mercy of extreme and changeable weather patterns. This winter and early spring has seen a huge amount of rainfall which has caused disruption to farming businesses. Crops can’t be sown, cattle can’t be let out to grass, lambing has been very difficult, and this is adding a huge cost burden on farmers, with some having to buy in additional feed while their stock is housed.
This constant wet weather again highlights the need for Welsh Government to recognise the strategic importance of domestic food production. Direct payments have been a key safety net for Welsh farmers underpinning the financial resilience of our family farms and demonstrates why future policy should include a stability measure to ensure our farmers and growers can continue producing food for the nation and, in so doing, sustaining our rural communities, language, culture and heritage.
Policymakers must also recognise that agricultural land is an irreplaceable national asset, not just for the provision of food but for the other public goods is provides and greater emphasis is needed to protect agricultural land in flood risk management policy.