The NFU Cymru’s Next Generation Group, all of whom are currently forging a future for themselves in the agricultural industry, consists of farmers from across Wales and all farming sectors. Last summer the group launched their Framing the future for the next generation report at the Senedd as part of NFU Cymru’s Celebration of Welsh Food and Farming Week. This report celebrated the contribution young farmers make in Wales and featured a list of 10 recommendations as to how Welsh Government can support the next generation of farmers in Wales.
NFU Cymru Next Generation Group member and livestock farmer Rebecca Williams from Llandrindod Wells said: “Last summer we presented a detailed breakdown as to how Welsh Government could back the future of farming in Wales. It included specific asks on the future Sustainable Farming Scheme in relation to ensuring the scheme worked for all farm types and tenures, a smooth transition period and the use of capital grants. Accessing finance can be a huge barrier to new entrants and so, we also suggested Welsh Government explore opportunities to make it easier for new and young entrants to access finance.
Meaningful policy
"In their consultation, Welsh Government say new entrants and young farmers are important and bring new talent, ideas, and entrepreneurial energy into Welsh farming. However, with no apparent financial support or any other specific provisions available for new entrants in their current proposals, it is unclear how those warm words are translated into meaningful policy that actually tackles the barriers that exist for those new to farming.”
NFU Cymru Next Generation Group member Bryn Perry who runs a successful sheep dairy in Pembrokeshire said: “As young farmers we want to capitalise on opportunities to grow our sector and our share of the produce consumed here in Wales, the UK and further afield. We are ambitious for the future of Welsh food and drink but for our aspirations to be achieved, Welsh Government must listen to our feedback and ensure the Sustainable Farming Scheme works for all farms regardless of farm type, system or location. Given many new entrants enter farming via the tenanted sector, it is also incredibly important that this scheme works and is attractive for tenant farmers.
Transition period
Next Generation Group Member Jessica Williams, who farms Welsh Black Cattle in Tywyn said: “I am also concerned that the transition period proposed by Welsh Government in their proposals for the Sustainable Farming Scheme offers no stability for farm businesses. Without this stability, there is a risk that the investment that is necessary in Welsh farm businesses to support the next generation will not be made, succession plans will be stifled, and our young people will leave both farming and rural Wales in search of a more secure career path.”
In conclusion Jessica said: “I urge all new entrants, young farmers and all those one day hoping to have a career in the farming industry to respond to this consultation. Young people are the lifeblood of rural Wales, we must make our voices heard to ensure we continue to have the opportunity to produce climate friendly quality food for the world. I would also ask Welsh Government and the Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths to listen to us and to work with us to design a future scheme that not only allows, but supports, the next generation of farmers to keep farming in Wales.”
