FUW seeks early talks with new deputy farming minister

The Farmers' Union of Wales said today it is looking forward to working with the new Welsh Government ministers with responsibilities for agriculture, fisheries and food and will be seeking early talks with them.

Following natural resources and food minister Alun Davies's sacking this morning, the First Minister Carwyn Jones reallocated agriculture fisheries and food to business minister Edwina Hart who will be assisted by a new deputy minister for agriculture and fisheries, Mid and West Wales AM Rebecca Evans.

FUW president Emyr Jones said: "Obviously, we are disappointed that the portfolio has been split again, although we welcome the fact that farming gets a dedicated deputy minister for agriculture. We have worked with Rebecca Evans in her role on the Sustainability Committee and she represents a predominantly rural area.

“As profitable farming and a sustainable environment are interlinked we also look forward to working with culture and sport minister John Griffiths who has received the environment policy brief.

"We will now seek to meet the new deputy minister as soon as possible to ensure that work on the range of outstanding CAP issues does not lose momentum," he added.