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Thursday
16  May

COLUMN: We need sustainable rural communities

 
07/03/2024 @ 03:35

 

In the latest of his MyWelshpool columns, Plaid Cymru’s candidate for the General Election, Cllr Elwyn Vaughan, shares his thoughts on farming saga.

“With family farms forming the backbone of our rural communities, we must have a support scheme which delivers for our economy, landscape, language and culture whilst also underpinning the top-quality food production, which makes our farmers lynchpins in a food supply chain.

Farmers across Wales are right to worry about the future of the sector as a result of the enormous pressure on the industry at the moment.

Many of the challenges derive directly from decisions by the Westminster and Welsh Governments. Be it the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme, an increase in farming costs or the undermining effect of new trade agreements, NVZ regulations or failing to tackle TB in cattle. All of these affect the sector, but when they all come at the same time the cumulative effect is so much worse.

We have a Welsh Labour Government in Wales which is accused of not listening, but also;

  • Westminster Tories cut Welsh farm funding by £243m since Brexit
  • Undercut our farmers through Trade Deals with Australia and New Zealand
  • Allow supermarkets to rake in profits while farmers get a pittance
  • Tories supported a Bill allowing lower food standards undermining our food production
  • Liz Truss’ bonkers budget caused high inflation, interest rates and input costs for farmers like everyone else

That’s why it’s imperative more than ever we think again about the future economic prospects for our rural communities. Have a positive vision based on:

·      Emphasis on adding value

·      Promoting indigenous enterprise

·      Facilitating diversification

·      Creating new opportunities

·      Innovation

·      Skills development

We need to emphasise the development of indigenous talent. Have control over our assets, maximise the potential benefit to the area, and on keeping money in the local economy. That’s why we need:

1. A Rural enterprise agency

2. Create a food innovation centre promoting new ideas and enterprises

3. Increase local food as part of public procurement 

4. Rejuvenate the Sense of Place initiative using local food and drink, culture and environment as a USP in the tourism sector

5. Deliver on the promised £243m agri funds

6. Deliver the £4bn HS2 funding due to Wales

Plaid Cymru stands shoulder to shoulder with our rural communities, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that the Welsh and Westminster Governments change direction in order to secure a future for the family farms and our rural communities.