Farmers have highlighted the need for the Welsh Government to have good channels of communication with the farming community, in light of the UK leaving the EU.
Many farming businesses within Wales operate in very remote circumstances with poor access to IT and broadband connectivity.
Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) Cymru Chairman, Dennis Matheson, said those farmers without good broadband or connectivity should not miss out on important messages.
Mr Matheson said: “It has become abundantly clear that the decision made last year by the previous Welsh Government administration to cease publication of the paper version of Gwlad, the Welsh Government’s newsletter for farm and forestry businesses and all those involved in agriculture, was a major mistake.
“This was a primary resource of information for many within the farming community who are now not able to access the online only content."
'Major negative effect'
Mr Matheson said farmers are upset about the Government abandoning paper communications.
“All sectors of the rural community are unanimous that the decision to abandon the paper version of Gwlad has had a major negative effect on the dissemination of important information in a timely manner.
“Farming organisations, such as TFA Cymru, do their best to ensure to pass on information but with a large proportion of farmers belonging to no organisation this is an unsatisfactory situation leaving many farmers with no idea about impending legislative changes until, only too often, it is too late."
TFA Cymru has urged the new Cabinet Secretary to reverse the decision of her predecessor and reinstate the paper version of Gwlad so that all farmers are kept informed of any new rules, regulations, schemes and policy initiatives which might affect their businesses.
