Plaid Cymru reaffirms support for Welsh Farmers as Royal Welsh returns

As the Royal Welsh Show returns after a three year break, Plaid Cymru has issued a message reaffirming its support for the Welsh agricultural sector

Plaid spokesperson for agriculture and rural affairs, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS said

“Farmers in Wales are having a rough deal – from the global issue of climate change to which farmers are uniquely susceptible, to issues closer to home such as the demand for land pushing up the price, and consequently pushing young farmers out of the market. Add to this the input costs for things such as fertiliser and fuel, and lack of assistance from Westminster in reducing tax on that fuel – the industry needs people to stand up for them right now.”

Plaid Cymru has previously spoken out against the phenomenon of “greenwashing” whereby multinational speculators undertake a land grab of Welsh farmland to offset their own carbon footprint.

This demand for land is one of the factors pushing up the price of land in Wales, the knock on effect being that young entrants to the farming sector are being priced out of market, as farms are being replaced by trees.

Mr ap Gwynfor MS went on to say,

“Wales’ rural communities are integral to our identity as a nation, and it’s essential that sustainable rural communities are created, where people can live, work and enjoy access to the services they need.

“Plaid Cymru recognises the immense contribution that the agricultural sector makes to Wales economically, environmentally, socially and culturally. We are committed to working with Welsh farmers in their aim to be one of the most sustainable farming sectors globally.

“We also recognise the strong connection between the future of our rural communities and the future of the Welsh language and we will fight to protect Welsh language place names that are a fundamental part of our rural communities.

“Our approach is always one of cooperation and collaboration, and this is what we promise to the agricultural sector so that we can achieve change for the benefit, not to the detriment, of our wider rural communities.”