#farmersunionofwales — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #farmersunionofwales, aggregated by home.social.
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Fuel theft fears: Rural Wales on alert as prices rocket and criminals circle
The warning has been issued by FUW Insurance Services Ltd after a dramatic spike in the cost of red diesel and heating oil linked to global instability.
In just a matter of weeks, red diesel prices have surged from around 67p per litre to 109p — a jump of more than 60% — while heating oil has in some cases more than doubled to around £1.30 per litre.
Carmarthenshire communities among hardest hit
The impact is being felt most sharply in rural parts of the Swansea Bay region — particularly across Carmarthenshire, where reliance on heating oil remains high.
Previous Swansea Bay News reporting has revealed just how exposed some communities are. In areas such as Llannon, Cross Hands and Pen-y-groes, around 69% of households rely on oil, while the figure stands at 65% in Abergwili, Llanegwad and Carmel. Even in places like Llanddarog, Llangyndeyrn and Ferryside, more than four in ten homes depend on oil.
That leaves thousands of households vulnerable to sudden price shocks — and increasingly, to criminals.
Fears of a surge in rural crime
Experts say spikes in fuel costs have historically gone hand-in-hand with a rise in theft — and farms are often prime targets.
Fuel tanks, agricultural machinery and storage units can all be vulnerable, with thieves able to strike quickly and cause serious damage in the process. Beyond the immediate financial hit, incidents can also lead to environmental harm if tanks are tampered with or fuel is spilled.
Dafydd Peredur Jones of FUW Insurance Services Ltd said:
“Rising fuel prices are placing additional pressure on rural communities, but they also increase the risk of theft.
We are urging farmers and rural residents to take proactive steps to protect their fuel supplies and remain vigilant.”
Not just farms in the firing line
The warning extends beyond agriculture.
Rural buildings such as churches, chapels, village halls and community centres — many of which rely on heating oil and may be left unattended — are also being urged to tighten security.
Simple steps like monitoring fuel levels, securing tanks and installing CCTV could make all the difference.
Part of a wider fuel crisis
The alert comes as pressure continues to build across the region.
Swansea Bay News has previously reported on growing fears over potential fuel rationing, alongside the real-world impact on businesses — including a Llanelli haulier facing staggering cost increases of up to £64,000 a week.
At the same time, families across rural communities have been hit hard by soaring heating bills, with some seeing costs triple in a matter of months. Rising prices have also been linked to a resurgence in heating oil theft incidents across Wales.
With global instability continuing to drive prices higher, communities across Carmarthenshire and the wider Swansea Bay region are now facing a double threat – sky-high costs and the growing risk of crime.
“Remain vigilant”
With no immediate sign of prices easing, the message from experts is clear: stay alert.
For many across rural south west Wales, fuel isn’t a luxury — it’s essential for heating homes, running farms and keeping businesses moving.
And as prices climb, protecting it has never been more important.
#FarmersUnionOfWales #fuelCosts #FUW #heatingOil #IranConflict #oil #oilCrisis #oilHeating #oilPrices #oilTheft #RedDiesel #ruralCrime -
FUW warns collapsing milk prices threaten family farms across Wales
Emergency meeting highlights scale of crisis
The FUW convened an emergency meeting of its Animal Health & Dairy Committee last week after members reported widespread anxiety about milk prices. Farmers across Wales say they have seen drastic drops in payments this autumn, with processors now signalling further reductions into the new year.
Union officials said many producers had approached them confidentially, fearful of jeopardising contracts, but deeply concerned about projected milk payments that in some cases fall far below the cost of production.
Average milk prices are forecast at just 30–35 pence per litre, compared with production costs estimated at 39–44 pence per litre in a Kite Consulting report. That gap means the typical dairy farm could lose thousands of pounds each month if the trend continues.
Calls for government intervention
FUW leaders escalated their concerns directly to Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies MS during a meeting in Cardiff on 3 December, stressing the need for government support to prevent long‑term damage to the Welsh dairy sector.
Gerwyn Williams, Chair of the FUW Animal Health & Dairy Committee, said:
“The speed and severity of this price drop are unprecedented. Farmers are facing an impossible situation where their input costs remain high while the value of their product plummets. The viability of many family farms is now at serious risk.”
He warned that if the situation extends into summer 2026, many businesses will be forced to shut:
“These modest sized family farms have invested heavily in infrastructure to comply with regulations and improve efficiencies, but reductions of this scale will severely impact their ability to make repayments as planned.”
Impact on rural communities
FUW Deputy President Dai Miles highlighted the wider consequences:
“Dairy farming underpins thousands of jobs in Wales and plays a vital role in the economic, social, and environmental fabric of our rural areas. When prices fall this sharply, it isn’t just farmers who suffer — local businesses, services, and entire communities feel the impact.”
He said the union has made it clear to government that immediate stability and a longer‑term resilience plan are essential.
The FUW says it will continue working with the Welsh Government, processors and supply‑chain partners to seek solutions and ensure dairy producers receive fair and sustainable prices.
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Explore the latest coverage of agriculture and rural issues across South West Wales.#DairyFarming #familyFarm #FarmersUnionOfWales #Farming #FUW #Milk #milkPrice
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Tractors roll into Westminster as farmers protest Budget’s “family farm tax”
Farmers brought rush hour traffic to a standstill in Westminster on Wednesday, defying a police ban on agricultural vehicles to protest against the UK Government’s Autumn Budget and its proposed inheritance tax reforms.
Dozens of tractors entered central London from early morning, with signs reading “Starmer farmer harmer” and “rural communities betrayed by Labour.” The protest, organised under the banner Farmers to London: Budget Day, saw vehicles converge on Parliament Square and Whitehall as Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her statement in the Commons.
A protester’s tractor outside HM Treasury during the Budget Day demonstration, calling for the scrapping of inheritance tax reforms.
(Image: Gareth Wyn Jones)A decorated protest tractor outside Parliament, calling for political change and backing British farmers.
(Image: Gareth Wyn Jones)Tractors gather outside Parliament with signs urging support for farmers and food producers.The Metropolitan Police confirmed that several arrests were made after protesters breached conditions banning tractors from entering the area. At least 20 vehicles were stopped in Richmond and Westminster, but many reached the heart of government, where demonstrators called for the proposed “family farm tax” to be scrapped.
Journalist Toby Young described the protest as a “furious” response to Budget plans that would “force many to sell up.”
Ian Rickman, President of the Farmers’ Union of Wales, stands outside HM Treasury on Budget Day, calling for urgent reform of inheritance tax to protect Welsh family farms.
(Image: FUW)FUW: “Step in the right direction, but not enough”
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) said the Budget offered only a partial concession to Welsh family farms, with damaging inheritance tax reforms still set to come into force next April.
FUW President Ian Rickman welcomed the Chancellor’s decision to make the proposed relief for the first £1 million of agricultural and business assets transferable between spouses — a measure the Union had repeatedly called for.
“This is a step in the right direction, and one that will help ease the challenges of succession planning for many farming families,” said Rickman.
“It is also encouraging to note that the lifetime gifting rules remain unchanged — a mechanism the Union had urged the Treasury to preserve.”
However, Rickman warned that the wider reforms still represent an existential threat to Welsh family farms, risking unaffordable tax bills for those seeking to inherit and continue the family business.
“The Chancellor’s decision to press ahead with the government’s broader proposals for inheritance tax reform remains deeply disappointing, if unsurprising. These changes still risk causing lasting damage to rural communities.”
The FUW said it would continue lobbying MPs across all parties to support amendments to the Budget that would “ensure family farms can be passed on with confidence to the next generation.”
Gareth Wyn Jones: “We will not be silenced”
Welsh hill farmer and broadcaster Gareth Wyn Jones joined the protest in Westminster, sharing footage from Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square on social media.
In one video, he said:
“We’re here to stand up for our communities, our families, and our future. This Budget is a betrayal of everything rural Wales stands for.”
Jones also posted images of tractors lined up outside HM Treasury and called on MPs to “listen to the countryside before it’s too late.”
“We will not be silenced. Family farms are the backbone of Wales — and we’re not going anywhere.”
His posts were widely shared across farming networks and drew support from rural campaigners across the UK.
A protest tractor lists political figures on its “naughty list” during the Budget Day demonstration in Westminster.A protest tractor calls for fair treatment of British farmers, criticising import policies and Westminster decisions.Tractors enter central London in convoy during the Budget Day protest, escorted by police vehicles.For full coverage of the Autumn Budget 2025 and its impact on Wales, read our explainer here.
#autumnBudget2025 #budget #chancellor #farmers #farmersUnionOfWales #farming #fuw #hmTreasury #ianRickman #inheritanceTaxReforms #londonTractorProtest #rachelReevesBudget #rachelReevesMp #tractorProtest #ukBudget2025 #ukGovernment #ukParliament
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Top award for founder of Gower View Foods
The annual award recognises individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the Welsh dairy industry.
Established in 2007, under Jon Lewis’ leadership, Gower View Foods has grown into one of the UK’s most recognised independent butter and dairy co-packers, supplying leading brands for many of the major retailers and food service providers across the UK and Europe.
Based at a modern, purpose-built manufacturing facility in Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire, the company’s co-packing capabilities range from portion-sized butter and bulk block production to a wide range of flavoured butters, flavoured creams, and promotional packaging solutions.
In addition to its co-packing services, Gower View Foods also produces its own range of products, including the notable Shirgar Butter and Ísey Skyr, made using a traditional Icelandic recipe on its state-of-the-art Ultra Filtration plant.
Recognised as one of the 50 fastest-growing businesses in Wales in 2020, the company’s success has been driven by a flexible, collaborative approach and more than 30 years of collective experience in the dairy industry.
Under Mr Lewis’s leadership, the company has created skilled jobs in West Wales and has made a substantial contribution to the local economy through sustained investment, product development, and rural employment.
Sustainability is a cornerstone of operations, with ongoing investment in renewable energy generation, recyclable packaging, plastic reduction initiatives, and advanced effluent treatment systems, supporting both environmental objectives and long-term business resilience.
The award was presented to Mr Lewis at the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ annual Eve of the Welsh Dairy Show Dinner, sponsored by NatWest Cymru, held at Carmarthen Livestock Market on Monday, 27 October 2025.
Presenting the award, FUW President Ian Rickman said:
“Jon Lewis’s leadership has made a significant contribution to the Welsh dairy sector. Through his focus on innovation, sustainability, and job creation, he has demonstrated how strong business vision can deliver real benefits for both the industry and rural communities. His achievements with Gower View Foods are an excellent example of how Welsh dairy can compete and thrive on a national stage.”
Rhys Williams, Director, Commercial Banking at NatWest Swansea & West Wales said:
“Jon Lewis has shown how strong leadership and strategic investment can turn a local business into a national success story.
“His achievements with Gower View Foods demonstrate how commercial success and community benefit can go hand in hand, creating skilled employment, supporting local supply chains, and contributing to the wider prosperity of rural Wales.
“NatWest Cymru is proud to help celebrate such an inspiring example of sustainable business growth.”
#CrossHands #FarmersUnionOfWales #GowerViewFoods #Natwest #WelshDairyShow