First Minister and Deputy First Minister meet with CLA Cymru
In their first week in office, the First Minister Eluned Morgan and Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies met with CLA Cymru within a week of taking office, marking a significant step in establishing a working relationship focused on the rural economy.
First Week Meetings
In their first week in office, the First Minister Eluned Morgan and Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies (who also remains Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Climate Change) met with CLA Cymru at the Pembrokeshire Show within a week of taking office, marking a significant step in establishing a working relationship focused on the rural economy.
Hosted on the CLA Cymru stand, Victoria Bond, Director of CLA Cymru, welcomed the ministers and emphasised the importance of working together to strengthen the rural economy. Also present were Lloyd James, CEO Owen and Owen (President Dyfed Branch), Bernard Llewelyn, Owner of Carreg Cennen Castle (Chair of Dyfed Branch), Walter Simon (Dyfed Branch Member) and Jacqui Pearce (CLA Cymru Comms and External Affairs).
Discussions centred on how the Welsh Government and CLA Cymru could collaborate to achieve shared goals in the agricultural and rural sectors; with key topics including current rural challenges, economy, planning and opportunities for growth within Wales’s green industries. The meeting demonstrated the new administration’s willingness to engage directly with CLA Cymru and our members from the outset
“It’s encouraging to see the First Minister and Deputy First Minister taking such a proactive stance on rural issues and their relationship with CLA Cymru so early in their administration. We look forward to continuing this productive dialogue as we work towards our shared vision for a thriving rural economy in Wales on behalf of our members.”
Ongoing engagement
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs also met with CLA Cymru three times during the week to explore specific strategies for supporting Welsh farmers and rural businesses. These meetings covered ongoing policy developments, including energy infrastructure projects and the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).
The meetings were a positive start to relations between CLA Cymru and the Welsh Government, with both sides committed to aligning on critical issues affecting rural Wales. These early engagements reflect a mutual dedication to promoting sustainable growth and success for the sector.
We look forward to continually working the Ministers and their teams.
For more information and to get involved, members are welcome to contact CLA Cymru at wales@cla.org.uk.
