Agriculture (Wales) Bill presented to the Senedd today: CLA Cymru responds
Welsh farmers and landowners must have the reassurance that a globally competitive scheme for agricultural support is in place by 2025 and dovetails seamlessly into the UK single market
The Welsh Government statement is here.
Director, CLA Cymru, Nigel Hollett says, “Welsh farmers and landowners must have the reassurance that a globally competitive scheme for agricultural support is in place by 2025 and dovetails seamlessly into the UK single market. Already farmers are making critical decisions which will determine the future of their business when the practical outcome of the Bill, the Sustainable Farming Scheme, is in place. As the cost-of-living crisis looks to be a long-term issue, ensuring nutritious food is economically available to the whole community is a national priority. The Welsh Government’s scheme has a critical role to play and the WG’s Economy Department must play its part in developing farm-to-fork supply chains. The Scheme will play a vital role in Wales’ response to the global climate change challenge. Managing land – and what we grow on it – is our only solution to the need to manage carbon. The scheme must play a vital role in enabling Wales to meet its net zero targets without sacrifice to food security.”
“Food production must not be sacrificed for the sake of planting trees. We must develop a holistic approach to tackling the national priorities. Equally, the Scheme must deliver landowners and farm businesses confidence to sustain or renew tenancy arrangements.”
Nigel Hollett continues, “While the structure of the Bill and development of the scheme will be uppermost on the agenda, we must not lose sight of immediate issues affecting Welsh farmers: high fuel, fertiliser and feed prices, the impact of the Agricultural Pollution Regulations and bovine tuberculosis.”
“Market forces have led many Welsh farms to diversify to create additional revenue streams. The Welsh Government must develop a rural economic strategy which embraces and supports the real potential of the rural economy in all its forms.”
“The Welsh Government promised “not a penny less,” in the context of increasing demand on food production & our natural resources, we must ensure our vital agriculture industry receives the support it needs.”