Farmers gather for NFU Cymru Conference

 The event was held at The Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells, and attracted a strong crowd keen to gain insight and inspiration at what is a critical time for the industry.

NFU Cymru President Aled Jones opened the conference by challenging the UK government  on the impact of its 'family farm tax' changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief. 

During his opening speech, the NFU Cymru President also referenced the important subjects of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), water quality and bovine TB.

The keynote political address was delivered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies. He highlighted the importance of the conference’s theme, ‘Securing the Future of Welsh Food’, as well as providing an update on forthcoming budget and policy announcements.

The following session was titled Securing sustainable and resilient food systems. Professor Tim Lang discussed the fragility of our food networks and how the industry must better protect itself against future challenges and shocks.

Next up, the Food session saw Katie Palmer of Food Sense Wales, Professor Susan Jebb from the Food Standards Agency and First Milk’s Shelagh Hancock talk through some of the opportunities available for primary producers in Wales.

After lunch, Associate Professor of Politics, Philosophy and International Relations at Swansea University, Dr Matthew Wall, gave an insightful presentation on the political landscape in Wales and how it could impact food and farming.

The conference’s final session saw John Murray, Director of Food, Beverage and Horticulture Sectors at Bord Bia – The Irish Food Board, provide conference-goers with a perspective from the food chain in Ireland. During the session, Mr Murray stressed the importance of agriculture maintaining the confidence of the public.

NFU Cymru Deputy President Abi Reader closed the conference by summarising each of the sessions and their important take-home messages, before thanking the contributors and the audience.

NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “The next few months will see crucial decisions made on the budget and policy landscape in Wales that will determine and define farming for our generation and those that follow in our footsteps. 

"I am pleased that so many of our members were able to attend the NFU Cymru Conference and listen to the insight provided by the excellent speakers that took to the stage. 

"Every year I continue to be impressed with the calibre of the speakers we’re able to attract to this event to speak to our members. I’m sure everyone will have taken away a thought or idea from the conference that they will look to utilise in the running of their business at home.”