NFU Director General addresses Welsh Council

"Devolution of power to the Welsh Government may not be universally liked on both sides of the border but the opportunities presented should be used to maximum potential by the agricultural industry in both England and Wales," the Director General of the NFU told members of NFU Cymru’s council yesterday.

Kevin Roberts, Director General of the NFU, addressed NFU Cymru’s Council on a range of organisational and policy issues during its meeting yesterday in the Builth Wells Headquarters.

Mr Roberts continued, "Some of the big challenges facing the farming industry in Wales and England are the same and the opportunity to lobby both Welsh and Westminster Governments on shared agendas is more likely to produce the right outcome but with implementation details needing to be tailored to meet local needs and circumstances."

On the future of the NFU, Kevin Roberts said, "It is key to establish the organisation’s policy needs and aspirations in the longer term and set these against the global dynamics to ensure that the organisation continues to deliver an effective, efficient and valued service for its membership."

Referring to the marketing chain, Kevin Roberts said, "Properly functioning supply chains are crucial for all commodities.

"Until this happens and farmers receive a fair and equitable return on their production, then there is only the Common Agricultural Policy to cushion volatility. There is now increasing recognition at a Brussels level of the imbalance in what should be a partnership between producers, processors and retailers. Governments in both Cardiff and London need to ensure that this issue gains more traction. The NFU through its Westminster office and NFU Cymru in Wales and the Unions’ Brussels office will continue to work together to realise this vision."