A rallying cry for change was delivered to the National Sheep Association (NSA) Cymru/Wales Annual Regional Members’ Meeting (ARMM) by a buoyant Llyr Gruffydd MS on Monday (9th February). The Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs called for a new National Food Strategy for Wales, with his thoughts clearly focused on the Senedd election in May.

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Showground, he said: “We have so much potential as a nation when it comes to food. But we need a joined-up strategy rather than a collection of disparate strategies that focus on individual issues such as health and obesity, food tourism, free school dinners.

“Where do all these strategies come together? Where is the focus on the bigger picture of what we need to produce? From where do we source it and what are you trying to achieve here? So, bringing all those together in a comprehensive food strategy is something I think that’s long overdue.”

Mr Gruffydd said farming underpins so much in Wales that people take for granted. The food and drink sector is clearly one of our success stories, supporting a quarter of a million jobs - 17% of all employment in Wales.

He warned that there was still work to do on the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). Elements such as the social payments are positive and the scheme would need to evolve and develop over time. Scrapping it would only lead to many, many more years of uncertainty.

Answering a question from NSA Wales / Cymru Development Officer, Helen Roberts, Mr Gruffydd said a potential future Plaid-led Senedd would not be able to revert to BPS once the transition into the SFS had happened. He also explained that any adjustments to the tapering would be a discussion for after the election.

He added: “What I would want is to make sure that the transition works for the sector. If it doesn’t, people will vote with their feet, and if farmers don’t choose to be part of the scheme then we all lose.”

Continuing, he said that it was time for a rural reset within government, based on greater respect for the rural community and a deeper understanding and empathy with the reality of life in the countryside. The classic example from Westminster had been the debacle of the Inheritance Tax proposals.

Mr Gruffydd stressed: “The UK Government was clearly tone-deaf to the impact of their proposals. There was no understanding of that financial and generational ecosystem within which agriculture exists.

“The Welsh Government, sadly, didn’t respond as strongly as I felt it should have, for fear of upsetting their colleagues in London. That must change in future.”

An optimistic note was struck by Gareth Jones, British Wool Head of Member Engagement. Mr Jones said that demand for the British Wool consumer brand is stronger than ever before. He reported that prices are increasing and returns in 2026 will be higher, having risen 35% at the back end of 2025, albeit from a low level. Attendees heard the price of wool had been too low for too long, but the fact that it was now at its highest for eleven years was hopeful.

He urged farmers not selling to British Wool to consider carefully: “We respect your decision, but when the price is set in May, I would encourage anyone to either speak to your Board members, speak to NSA, speak to John Yeomans (Newly elected NSA Cymru Chair), speak to me or speak to the depot. So that when you make a decision on what you do with this year’s wool, you’re better informed because the price of wool, certainly for some of the better type of cross bred wools, could well be covering the cost of shearing. If you don’t have the conversation, you might not be aware of what British Wool’s prices are.

“You don’t want anyone selling that wool for less than it’s worth. It’s positive to see where the market is at the moment and positive to see that there will be a higher return this year.”

NSA Project Officer, Nicola Noble, highlighted NSA’s role in informing government of the importance of the relevance of agriculture. She shared the actions from a head office perspective, highlighting the range of activities from policy to communications, to research.

Formal business of the meeting saw NSA Wales / Cymru Region welcome new Chair John Yeomans, a sheep farmer from Powys into office, taking on the role from Caryl Hughes of Denbighshire. The meeting also heard from NSA Wales / Cymru Development Officer, Helen Roberts who shared exciting news for the region, including presence at the Royal Welsh Show 2026 and looking ahead further - NSA Welsh Sheep 2027. She confirmed that NSA Welsh Sheep will take place in North East Wales on Wednesday 19th May 2027, kindly hosted by Mathew and David Roberts, Ty Draw Farm, Holywell.

She added: “I would like to thank Caryl Hughes for her excellent skills in chairing the NSA Wales / Cymru Region in the past two years and welcome John Yeomans into the post, along with Jacob Anthony as Vice Chair.” Mrs Roberts also welcomed NSA Welsh Sheep 2027 hosts, expressing her enthusiasm to work with them in organising the popular biennial event.