Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, has today challenged Lesley Griths MS, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, Welsh Government, on the series of “Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru Anti Local Agri Production Actions”, including:
- potentially forcing farmers to have 10% tree cover on their land;
- and expanding the NVZ from 2.4% to 100% of Welsh farmland.
Noting that the war in Ukraine and the climate emergency has highlighted the need for Wales and the UK to increase our food independence, the Member of the Welsh Parliament, urged the Welsh Government and their co-operation partners in Plaid Cymru to ensure that production of food in Wales is not only an objective, but achievable.
Speaking after scrutinising the Minister, Janet said:
“Whilst the Agricultural (Wales) Bill rightly makes the production of food the first objective, this is out of synch with the draconian measures of potentially forcing farmers to have 10% tree cover on their land, and expanding the NVZ from 2.4% to 100% of Welsh farmland.
“Rather than championing Aberconwy farmers in producing local climate friendly food, what they are witnessing is a Welsh Government which is coming at their businesses with a guillotine, cutting their production ability and chance of survival.
“Alongside making the production of food a legislative objective, the Welsh Government need to ensure that future food production is actually achievable.
“So far, rather than support, Aberconwy farmers have potentially devastating Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru anti local agri production actions to contend with”
ENDS
