The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has said farming plays a vital role in conserving the Welsh language in its rural communities.
Research has shown that throughout Wales, those who speak Welsh within the ‘agriculture, energy and water’ category make an essential contribution to the preservation of the language in terms of numbers.
In particular, in terms of the proportion within the category who speak Welsh (29.5%), it is significantly higher than the overall proportion (17%).
Arguably, a similar analysis of those only involved in the farming industry would reveal a higher percentage again, and reveal higher contributions in terms of the role played by farming in preserving the Welsh language.
Farming and language
Therefore, moves which undermine the viability of Welsh agriculture are likely to represent a significant threat to the Welsh language, according to FUW.
Speaking about the importance of the Welsh language, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We must acknowledge the fact that there are changing language patterns out there but, a strong Welsh economy needs to be supported by our language, to ensure we keep our Welsh identity.
“So our stand is not just about farming; it is about the wider recognition of how ‘#FarmingMatters’, where supply chains are involved, how money circulates in the local economy, where people survive, where profits are made, communities are sustained and our culture continues to thrive.”
