Wales' National Assembly holds inquiry into agricultural policies post-Brexit

NFU Cymru President Stephen James presented evidence to the National Assembly for Wales Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry
NFU Cymru President Stephen James presented evidence to the National Assembly for Wales Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry

Farming union NFU Cymru has presented evidence to the National Assembly into the 'Future of Agricultural and Rural Development Policies' in Wales post-Brexit.

The evidence session, which took place on Thursday, 13 January at the Senedd, was an opportunity for farmers to express views on what they believe agricultural and rural development policies should look like following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

Giving evidence, NFU Cymru President Stephen James said farming is an 'important part' of the Welsh economy.

He said: “It underpins a multibillion pound food and drink industry, directly employs over 58,000 people on farm, has a gross output of £1.5billion and 80% of the land area of Wales is managed by farmers.

“Farmers also play a crucial role in supporting the Welsh tourism industry - worth over £2.5billion. Farmers deliver a significant proportion of Wales’ access provision such as footpaths, bridleways and cycle networks; therefore the industry is making a key contribution to the physical and mental well-being of the people of Wales.”

'Volatility of the market'

Mr James said in order for farmers to maintain the work they carry out, alongside the primary purpose of producing food to the highest quality and traceability standards, there must be a domestic agricultural policy that helps ensure farmers are able to deal with the volatility of the market.

Mr James continued: “Support payments that farmers receive underpin all the points raised and make a positive contribution to the wider rural community - which is home to 33% of the Welsh population. The value of support payments to the rural economy has been demonstrated by NFU Cymru in the past where one farm was seen to support around 60 rural businesses each year.”

In conclusion, Stephen James added: “Brexit provides us with a blank page where we now have the opportunity to think of new ideas - ideas that are fit for purpose and enable the industry to not only survive but to thrive and become a world-leading producer.

“Now more than ever, we must work together as we have the perfect opportunity to create policies that work for everyone and benefit the population of Wales.”