NFU launch economy booklet
The Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Alun Davies, has launched NFU Cymru’s ’Why Farming Matters to the Welsh Economy’ booklet, on farm in mid-Wales.
The 24-page, fully bilingual booklet, explains how Welsh farmers contribute a great deal to the economy, both directly as primary producers and indirectly as the cornerstone to a wide spectrum of businesses.
Alun Davies AM said, ’This is an enormously important document that we have here which reinforces the place of agriculture in Welsh life and economic activity. It is evidence of the wider role the farming community plays in the rural community.’
Ed Bailey, NFU Cymru President said, ’As farmers we deal with a large number of businesses on a regular or occasional basis be they agricultural merchants, vets, local builders, accountants and our livestock market to name but a few. We also recognise that what we produce is used by others as a raw material for their business to which they can add value and hopefully prosper, whether that is the local pub using one of our lambs on its menu or a major processor using PGI status to help find and sell into a new export market.’ How often have we stopped and thought of how much we spend annually in our locality, what value is added to our primary produce or how much that person walking on our footpaths and admiring our countryside spent while in Wales.
’This document well and truly shows how important agriculture is to the economy of Wales and what we contribute both directly and indirectly to Wales PLC. It is clear to me that a healthy and prosperous farming base delivers results not just for our industry but for the wider economy of Wales.’
The booklet was launched on one of the farms featured as a case study depicting how diversification and tourism supplement some farms’ income. Danyrallt dairy farm, on the outskirts of Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, is run by Huw Rees, in partnership with his mother, brother and wife. The 430 acre farm has a 210 dairy cow herd, plus followers. They are featured in the booklet because in 1952 Huw’s parents decided to diversify and opened a field to allow friends to over-winter their caravans. Over the years the award winning site, named Erwlon, grew and today it has room for 100 caravans or tents and has around 40 caravans permanently on site.
Ed Bailey thanked the staff of NFU Cymru for producing the booklet, particularly Andrea Witcombe for collating all the information for the document. Andrea is a graduate trainee with the NFU. The booklet is testament to her talent and shows the value of the NFU graduate trainee scheme and its ability to recruit graduates of the highest standard and skill.
