NFU Cymru, in conjuction with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), is putting on a joint hustings meeting on Friday, 8 April 2016, ahead of the National Assembly elections in May.
Taking place at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, the hustings meeting will give members from both organisations the opportunity to hear from prospective AMs and quiz them on farming, rural and land based issues.
Representatives from each of Wales’ main political parties have been invited, including Kirsty Williams AM from the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Llyr Huws Gruffydd AM from Plaid Cymru, Councillor Aled Davies from the Welsh Conservatives, Alex Thomas from Welsh Labour and representatives from both UKIP and the Green Party.
NFU Cymru President, Stephen James said: “The majority of farming, rural and land based issues are now determined in Cardiff Bay, and in May we will be choosing who will represent us at the Senedd for the next five years.
“It is therefore vital that prospective AMs understand the issues from those who work and live in our rural areas.
“NFU Cymru is delighted to have been able to team up with RICS and offer a joint hustings platform as campaigning gets underway for the National Assembly elections.”
RICS Director in Wales, Ben Collins said: “Wales is uniquely placed to build on a high quality reputation for agricultural production and forestry, and these are areas that need to be central in the approach to rural policy.
“In the wider rural economic context, transport is absolutely key, along with the roll-out of broadband to support the productivity of non-farming SMEs and micro-businesses.
“A stronger focus on animal health issues, along with greater clarity on the basic payment scheme is also needed.
“RICS is calling on the Welsh Government to take actions in these areas to help ensure vibrant and strong rural communities in Wales.
“We are very pleased to link up with NFU Cymru for this joint hustings event to help ensure constructive engagement with AMs on these and other issues.”
