Farming – Bringing Wales Together An illustration of how Welsh agriculture delivers the Well-being of Future Generations Act FOREWoRD Agriculture’s contribution to the economic, environmental, resources, providing the stunning backdrop – our treasured social and cultural well-being of Wales is unrivalled. Welsh landscape – for the tourism and recreation sector in Farming’s impression on Wales’ landscape, heritage and Wales, worth over £2.8bn. sense of place over generations is unsurpassed. Through Welsh farmers are also the essence of Wales’ culture and this document, NFU Cymru is proud to showcase every community. The prevalence of the Welsh language within aspect of what farming means to Wales - the significance of the farming sector is higher than in any other sector, the sector to all aspects of Welsh life. keeping the language alive in many rural populations Framed around the seven well-being goals enshrined in across Wales. Members of the agricultural industry are often the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015, NFU Cymru at the heart of many rural communities across the country, has sourced case studies from within its membership, each as part of community groups, or in voluntary or leadership demonstrating the specific contributions the industry roles throughout rural Wales. makes to the well-being of the people of Wales and further Through ‘Farming- Bringing Wales Together’, NFU Cymru afield, now and in the future. provides a snapshot of the important work done by farmers These real life, everyday examples of innovation, across Wales and their contribution to the economic, commitment and sheer hard work taking place on farms environmental, social and cultural well-being of Wales. It and in rural communities across Wales, highlight the is a contribution NFU Cymru is immensely proud of and importance of a vibrant, dynamic, profitable agricultural it demonstrates the wide reaching and fundamental industry within Wales and the need for it to thrive. importance of having a productive, profitable and Welsh farmers contribute significantly to the economy progressive agricultural industry within Wales. of Wales, both directly as primary producers, forming the foundation of the £6 billion food and drink industry, and indirectly, as the cornerstone of the rural economy. This skilled effort of farmers in managing over 80% of the Stephen James nation’s land, helps to care and enhance the quality of President the natural environment, and safeguards our key natural NFU Cymru 1 INtRODUCTION The decision to leave the European Union presents us with This legislative framework allows for the establishment of a unique opportunity to set out a clear vision for the future a new deal with society – a consensus on what farming of agriculture in Wales. It provides us with the chance to can deliver for the economy and consumers; for the shape and develop policies that will enable us to realise environment and our treasured Welsh landscape; for our our ambition of a productive, progressive and profitable Welsh culture and heritage; and for communities across industry, developed within the framework of the Well-being Wales; now and in the future. of Future Generations Act 2015. This process begins with developing our understanding This key piece of legislation focuses on ‘improving the of what farming means to Wales and exploring its future social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of potential. In this document NFU Cymru showcases 14 Wales’ and establishes a duty on public bodies to work to case study examples that effectively ‘bring to life’ how achieve the vision for Wales set out in the seven well-being the agricultural industry is a key contributor to all seven goals. well-being goals in a way that is unparalleled by any other sector. It is important to note that many of the wider benefits that farming, and the presence of a vibrant and dynamic Welsh agricultural industry, provides are not always recognised in conventional markets, and do not attract a return from the marketplace. They are, nonetheless, central to the well-being of the people of Wales. Through this publication we aim to highlight the extensive benefits that agriculture provides to the wider economy, society and environment, as well as the strategic importance of the sector to Wales at this most pivotal time in the history of our nation. 2 A Prosperous Wales The Welsh agricultural industry is a key generator of wealth employed full or part time on farm holdings in Wales. and employment for the people of Wales. Welsh farmers also create the backdrop for the tourism First and foremost Welsh farmers are food producers, industry worth over £2.8bn. As well as being key destination producing top quality produce to world leading providers through a range of on-farm diversification environmental and animal welfare standards. Welsh farmers enterprises; they are also fundamental to the shaping and are an integral part of the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, the food and drink industry. Farming underpins the food the ongoing management of Wales’ spectacular landscape and drink supply chain worth over £6bn to Wales and the and scenery which attracts thousands of visitors from country’s biggest employer. The industry employs 17% of around the world each year. There can be no doubt that the workforce- over 220,000 people, with around 58,000 farming and tourism are inherently interlinked. The Welsh agricultural industry is a key generator of wealth and employment for the people £1.5 billion of Wales Welsh agriculture’s gross output 3 A Prosperous Wales name: Kate Beavan Region: Abergavenny, Monmouthshire sector: Beef and sheep The Beavan family farm across two caring for the environment. holdings in a family partnership The farm is a Farming Connect producing prize winning stock and “As a farmer, food Demonstration Farm, trialling the production is our some of which is retailed through the latest technology and innovation in local family owned butcher’s shop in agriculture, with the aim of trying to primary role. At nearby Abergavenny, six miles away. improve efficiencies in farming. The our family farm we The farm has been in the Beavan family are passionate about farming produce top quality family for generations and is worked and keen to highlight the many roles in partnership with Kate’s husband within the agricultural industry that meat, some of which Jim, his brother Huw and their parents. develop skills and expertise, working is retailed through the The business currently supports three with people of all ages to help them family butcher’s shop.” generations of the family, employing learn about the industry. across all the enterprises. The next generation of the family are showing The Beavans, like many farming interest in both the agricultural and families across Wales, produce top quality Welsh meat to world leading retailing aspects of the business. environmental and animal welfare Kate balances farming around her standards and they take great pride other commitments, which include in what they produce. Farming lecturing animal health and welfare underpins the food and drink supply at Coleg Gwent, Usk Campus and chain and the rural economy, creating Three generations of the running Kate’s Country School which employment and prosperity for Wales Beavan family currently live and offers courses on rural skills and animal as well as providing employment work on the farm husbandry. She also has a passion for opportunities for the next generation. 4 A Prosperous Wales name: Rhys Lougher Region: Bridgend, Glamorgan sector: Dairy Rhys Lougher farms a traditional Welsh environment through reducing food family dairy farm, Tŷ Tanglwyst Dairy, miles, as well as ensuring effective on the Bridgend coast. He is one of traceability and increased consumer “Food production the three generations of the Lougher awareness of where their food comes is my main aim as family who live and work on the 150 from. The farm now employs 14 a farmer. Through acre farm. The farm runs 110 pedigree people, working in a variety of roles producing high quality Holstein cows which are milked three such as production, administration milk, cream and butter times a day, with all the cows having and delivery drivers. been born on the farm. and supplying local Connecting with the customer is a key businesses I support The Lougher family process all the objective for Tŷ Tanglwyst Dairy. Rhys milk they produce in a purpose built participates in Open Farm Sunday the rural economy and modern dairy on the farm, just metres every year, also hosting school visits create a sustainable away from the milking parlour. There and local community group visits to business to pass onto the family bottle milk and produce the farm. the next generation.” cream and butter. The high production The Lougher family dairy farm standards mean that each cow’s milk demonstrates the role high quality is regularly, individually quality tested. Welsh produce has in supporting the Tŷ Tanglwyst Dairy produce is then local community and rural economy. retailed locally, mainly within half an Their desire to sell locally means their Around 20,000 litres of milk hour of the farm, to cafés, nurseries, farm has a direct link to the local are processed on the farm each and pubs, as well as on a traditional supply chain which strengthens the week, which is then supplied to milk round, building a strong brand local economy. This, in turn, supports local businesses that is associated with a quality employment and underpins Wales’ product. The family believe that their largest manufacturing sector, the food locally produced food benefits the and drink industry. 5 A Prosperous Wales names: Perkin and Janet Evans Region: Solva, Pembrokeshire sector: Arable and beef Perkin and Janet Evans of Crug- This continued expansion means the Glas Farm, Solva, have adapted and couple have around 40 local people developed their farming business to on their books, as well as ensuring the “As farmers we welcome visitors to their farm.