FUW meets Carmarthenshire MSs to discuss farming priorities
The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) recently met with Plaid Cymru Caerfyrddin Senedd Members, Cefin Campbell and Nerys Evans at Gurnos, the family farm of FUW President Ian Rickman near Llandeilo, to discuss the key challenges facing Welsh agriculture and the support being introduced by the new Welsh Government.
The meeting provided an opportunity for FUW President Ian Rickman and Deputy President Dai Miles to discuss the major issues affecting the farming sector directly with the local Members of the Senedd, including the transition to the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), the impact of agricultural pollution regulations, and the ongoing burden of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) on farming families.
Since Plaid Cymru formed the Welsh Government following the Senedd election in May, several policies have been announced in response to priorities long championed by farming unions and the wider agricultural sector. Earlier in June, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, Llŷr Gruffydd, announced that John Davies, a Brecknock beef and sheep farmer would chair a review into the paperwork and administrative burdens faced by farmers.
More recently, the Welsh Government announced a new programme of low-interest loans of up to £1 million to help Welsh farmers invest in improvements to agricultural buildings, increase energy efficiency and productivity, and purchase new equipment.
The meeting also enabled the FUW to set out its priorities for the new Government, including the need for multiannual funding to underpin the Sustainable Farming Scheme and the development of a new approach to tackling bTB.
Speaking following the meeting, FUW President Ian Rickman said:
"Welsh farmers are facing an exceptionally challenging period, with a number of complex issues placing significant pressure on the sector - from adapting to the Sustainable Farming Scheme and the far-reaching requirements of the agricultural pollution regulations, to the continuing impact of bovine TB on the emotional and financial wellbeing of farming families.
"It was a pleasure to welcome Cefin and Nerys to Gurnos and to have the opportunity to discuss these key issues, as well as to hear more about the policies the new Welsh Government has already announced to support the sector.
We also welcomed the opportunity to outline the FUW's priorities, including securing long-term funding for the Sustainable Farming Scheme and delivering a more effective approach to tackling bovine TB, both of which are essential to providing greater confidence and certainty for Welsh farmers."
