More must be done to stop Welsh farmers being ‘second class citizens’ when it comes to accessing superfast broadband and mobile technology, according to NFU Cymru.
The call comes after the findings of the annual NFU Broadband and Mobile Survey, which showed that two thirds (67%) of members quizzed in Wales said they were not able to access sufficient broadband speeds.
Just 20% of those questioned agreed they could access sufficient speeds.
Furthermore, only 28% of farmers polled in the NFU Broadband and Mobile Survey said that they felt the mobile phone signal they received was sufficient for their business needs.
NFU Cymru President John Davies said the results of this survey confirm that Welsh farmers are being "hindered by access" to superfast broadband and mobile technology when it comes to effectively running their businesses.
“Technological advances and access to improved communications platforms should be bringing us all closer together, but the evidence suggests that a divide is forming between rural areas and more urban areas,” Mr Davies has explained.
“Only last week the UK Government had been celebrating that 95% of UK homes and businesses now have access to superfast broadband.
“However, that is of little consolation to those of us living and working in rural locations that make up the remaining 5%. Indeed, recent figures suggest that seven of the UK’s ten slowest areas for broadband speeds are in Wales.”
'Immensely frustrating'
A great deal of on-farm equipment that can help improve productivity and efficiency is reliant on good broadband strength, which farmers say is essentially rendered useless without it.
Mr Davies continued: “We also hear from members that farm diversification projects, such as tourism-focused holiday accommodation, can be impacted because prospective visitors do not want to come to an unconnected countryside.
“We know it can be immensely frustrating for Welsh farmers to read about the rollout of 5G in towns and cities, for example, when they struggle to complete even the most simple of tasks, such as a phone call to the vet or a supplier, when they are out on farm in Wales due to poor signal and coverage.
“When it comes to access to this essential technology those of us living in rural Wales are being treated like second class citizens at the moment and it’s simply not good enough.”
'Global marketplace'
Mr Davies said NFU Cymru has held a number of meetings with BT and Openreach to address the rural connectivity issues experienced by many farmers in Wales.
He added: “Farm business in Wales are facing up to the challenges and opportunities that will come about as a result of Brexit. Farmers will need digital communications to be on a par with their counterparts across the UK and the rest of the world if they are to compete in the global marketplace.
“We will continue to put pressure on government and service providers to ensure that the industry is not left behind as a result of the disparity in the service they receive.”
