A new NFU Cymru report has highlighted the unique contribution that the Welsh upland farming community makes to food security, environment, the economy, rural communities and the Welsh language.

The NFU Cymru Vision for Welsh Upland Farming report, which was underpinned by a survey of over 750 farmers, was launched at the Vision for Welsh Upland Farming virtual conference on November 24.

The document reveals that 96 per cent of farmers surveyed believed their role as food producers was very important or fairly important, with 95 per cent saying that food production and sales was very important or fairly important to the viability of their business. 88 per cent said it was very important that future Welsh agricultural policy should underpin food production and ensure consumers have a stable supply of affordable food.

The biggest worry for Welsh upland farmers to surface from the research was farm business profitability, with 85 per cent of those questioned stating this was a ‘significant threat’ to the sector.

The vast majority of those questioned (92 per cent) said it was very important that future Welsh farming policy included measures that ensured farmers can make a reasonable living.

However, just 18 per cent of farmers answering the poll felt Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals to replace the CAP were very good or fairly good at specifically addressing the needs of upland farming, with 37 per cent labelling the proposals fairly poor or very poor.

With the Brexit transition period coming to an end, 84 per cent of farmers surveyed said that future trade deals were a significant threat to upland farming, while 80 per cent stated that future policy was a significant threat.

NFU Cymru said the findings of this research work provide ‘another compelling argument’ as to why future Welsh agricultural policy should include a stability measure to help ensure the safe supply of food and as an economic foundation in rural communities, alongside the other multiple benefits provided by Welsh farming, amid changing trade and climate conditions.

The new NFU Cymru study also shone a light on Welsh upland farmers’ attitudes towards the environment.

Eighty per cent of those surveyed had carried out one or more environmental actions on the farm in the last 10 years, while 83 per cent said that future policy measures to tackle climate change were very important or fairly important.

Fifty-four per cent of farmers surveyed were in Glastir agri-environment schemes and together had delivered more than 70 different environmental actions on Welsh farms.

The survey data further emphasises farmers’ role as drivers of the rural economy. 30 per cent of farmers surveyed said their business supports or buys from 21 to 50 different businesses, with a further 10 per cent stating that their business trades with or buys from more than 51 other businesses.

The important contribution of Welsh upland farming to rural communities and Welsh culture was also revealed. 83 per cent of respondents were involved in one or more voluntary activities within their community, while over half of those answering the survey identified themselves as fluent Welsh speakers.

Diversification remains an important income stream for many Welsh farms; 43 per cent of farmers responding to the survey stated that they had a non-farming element to their business. The most popular diversification enterprises were renewable energy (43 per cent) and accommodation (42 per cent).

NFU Cymru LFA board chair Kath Whitrow said: “In recent years, despite their extent and significance, we have seen upland farming policy de-emphasised. As our relationship with the EU changes, the economic rationale for upland livestock production is threatened. Global environmental challenges, such as climate change and biodiversity decline, are viewed by some as drivers for land use change without any consideration of the wider impacts.

“At this pivotal time for Welsh farming as we transition out of the CAP and into a new ‘made in Wales’ agricultural policy, the NFU Cymru LFA Board wants to ensure that the voice of Welsh upland farming is clearly heard in this debate. This is a message that has resonated strongly with Welsh upland farmers and, despite the limitations placed on us as a result of Covid-19, the voice of farmers across Wales has been clearly heard with our survey attracting a fantastic number of responses.”

NFU Cymru president John Davies said: “This research provides another compelling argument that future Welsh agricultural policy should include a stability measure to support farmers by protecting them against the increased volatility that affects businesses, trade and production.

“I urge our policymakers in Cardiff Bay to carefully consider the report’s key recommendations and work with us to ensure that the people and communities of the Welsh uplands can continue to deliver for the whole of Wales.”