A new report has highlighted the 'significant' role agriculture plays for Wales’ economic, environmental, cultural and social well-being.
Released in the National Welsh Assembly, the report ‘Farming – Bringing Wales Together’ features farmer-led case study stories from around Wales.
It demonstrates that the agricultural industry meets each of the well-being goals in the Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations Act.
The report was launched during an NFU Cymru Welsh Food & Farming celebratory event. Assembly Members attending the event also watched the premiere of a new ‘Farming – Bringing Wales Together’ video, starring farmers from across Wales.
The video showed farmers’ work to the Welsh economy and environment, as well as promoting and protecting Welsh language and culture.
'Passion and drive'
NFU Cymru Deputy President John Davies said the 'passion and drive' demonstrated by 14 farming families and businesses represented in the report and video is a 'small snapshot' of the industry.
He said: “These examples do not occur in isolation - farmers across Wales are contributing to the economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of Wales on many levels.
“Farming is part of Wales’ history and must continue to be recognised as an industry of critical and growing importance to Wales.
“There can be no doubt that this very significant contribution will only continue to be delivered if we have viable and profitable farming enterprises and a strong, competitive agricultural industry in Wales.”
'Society needs farming to thrive'
Mr Davies said it is 'clear' that society needs farming to thrive.
He continued: “It is incumbent on us all to work together through the Well-being of Future Generations Act to put in place the policy and budgetary framework that allows farm businesses to be profitable so they can continue to deliver for the people of Wales now and in the future.
“If industry, government, decision makers and stakeholders can all come together and recognise the contribution of agriculture and work with us to ensure a policy and budgetary framework that delivers a productive, profitable and progressive industry then we will have an industry that will deliver jobs, growth and investment for all of Welsh society.”
