NFU Cymru working in partnership to raise awareness of human trafficking

NFU Cymru’s office in Llantrisant is working in partnership with Cardiff and district Soroptimists to help raise awareness of human trafficking ahead of Anti-Slavery Day on 18 October. Local NFU Cymru members are being encouraged to notify the authorities if they see anything out of the ordinary as part of the campaign.

Karen Yates, NFU Cymru Group Secretary for the Llantrisant area said, “NFU Cymru members are on the frontline to notice if anything out of the ordinary is occurring in the countryside. This isn’t just an issue for our cities. It creeps out into the rural areas which is why I think it’s important to raise awareness amongst my farming customers to be on the lookout for anything unusual and to report it to the authorities.”

Information on human trafficking and the signs to be aware of are on display in the NFU Cymru Llantrisant office this week and farmers in the local area will be given leaflets. NFU Cymru will also run an article in its December edition of Farming Wales magazine and put information on its website as part of the campaign.

A $32 billion annual industry, trafficking is a type of slavery that involves the transport or trade of people for the purpose of work. According to the UN, about 2.5 million people around the world are ensnared in the web of human trafficking at any given time.

Joan Williams, Secretary of Cardiff and district Soroptimists and Chair of the regional soroptimists group on human trafficking said, “We’re pleased to be working with NFU Cymru to help highlight this important campaign. Human trafficking happens in Wales whether we like it or not. It’s not just a city problem which is why we’re working with NFU Cymru so farmers can be made aware.”

For more information on the campaign visit: Wales.gov.uk/anti-slavery. If you are suspicious of any behaviour report it to Crimestoppers: 0800 555111.