Welsh farming the

Poor finances, outbreaks of disease, and deteriorating local community links. Such is the state of Welsh agriculture as reported by Roger Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon and Radnorshire and Party Food and Rural Affairs Spokesperson, who returned this week from a summit of EU agricultural ministers and committee members.

Speaking on the state of Welsh agriculture, Roger Williams said: “Next year the EU Commission will carry out a ‘health check’ on the Common Agricultural Policy, so it’s time we did a health check of our own. What is very clear is that Welsh farming is struggling and needs urgent medical attention.

“Average incomes for Welsh farmers have fallen to £14000 and the average age of farmers is nearly 60.

70 people leave Welsh farming every week. In the last four years 300 family farms have been lost, with 60% of dairy farmers failing to cover their costs.

“Bovine TB is the cancer of the Welsh beef industry. Outbreaks have increased six-fold since 1998 with over 6000 reported last year.

“And there are major structural problems. Tir Mynydd funding must not be cut. Equally, the CAP health check must be just that, with funding continuing at the present level until 2013. It must not be a full-blown heart transplant for European agriculture.

“Despite this, Wales has real potential to create a healthy, vibrant farming sector. With the right support, Wales could become a beacon of biomass and biofuel production. 20% of Welsh arable land could be used to grow biomass crops and meet 10.9% of the UK’s electricity demand by 2020.

“High quality Welsh meat and dairy are already enjoying a lucrative position in the market of high end food products. But without reform of the supermarket code of practice and a ‘fair trade’ mark on products which lets consumers know that the producer has received a fair price from the retailer, Welsh farmers will never receive what they deserve for their produce.

“I will be meeting with Lord Rooker, Minister for Farming, next week and intend to bring these issues to the fore. Wales has so much to offer. We must not let the condition of Welsh farming deteriorate further.”