Conservative candidate says farmers feel under pressure as parties battle over support, regulation and the future of Welsh agriculture

FARMERS from across the region raised concerns about rising costs, regulation and future support during an agricultural hustings in Aberaeron on Tuesday (Apr 14).

The event, jointly hosted by the Farmers’ Union of Wales, NFU Cymru and Ceredigion Young Farmers’ Clubs, brought together members of the farming community to question candidates on the challenges facing the sector ahead of the Senedd election.

Among those responding was Samuel Kurtz, Conservative candidate for Ceredigion Preseli Pembrokeshire, who said the mood in the room reflected growing frustration among farmers.

Mr Kurtz said: “The hustings made one thing very clear: farmers feel let down, ignored and under increasing pressure from Labour in Cardiff Bay and in Westminster.

“As the Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, I have been warning for some time that the direction of travel is wrong. Farmers are being asked to do more and more with less and less support.

“Rising costs, burdensome regulation and uncertainty over future funding are placing real strain on farm businesses and family livelihoods.”

He said many in the industry were worried that current policies could undermine food production and place further strain on rural economies.

Mr Kurtz also raised concerns about long-term food security, saying farmers wanted stronger backing for domestic production and more confidence about the future.

He said: “Our farmers are the backbone of rural Wales. They produce our food, support local jobs and care for our countryside.

“But right now, too many feel that decisions by Labour, backed by Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats, are being imposed on them rather than made with them.

“That has to change.”

The Welsh Conservatives say their proposals for the sector include an extra £100 million for the agriculture budget over the next Senedd term, placing food security and productivity at the heart of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, increasing the amount of Welsh food served in schools and hospitals, and moving away from an all-Wales NVZ policy in favour of a more targeted, catchment-based approach.

The party has also pledged to continue campaigning against the so-called family farm tax and to take stronger action on bovine TB in livestock and wildlife.

Mr Kurtz said: “We need a government that backs farmers, not one that creates barriers and uncertainty.

“We will continue to fight for a better deal for rural Wales and ensure that farmers’ voices are heard loud and clear.”

The hustings formed part of wider engagement with the agricultural sector during the election campaign, with farming remaining one of the key issues in rural parts of west Wales.

While Mr Kurtz used the event to attack Labour’s record in Cardiff Bay and Westminster, the discussion also reflected broader concern within the industry over funding, regulation and the future direction of farm policy in Wales.

OIL prices dropped sharply on Friday after Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz had reopened to commercial shipping, raising hopes that energy supplies could begin to move more freely through one of the world’s most important maritime routes.

The development was welcomed by US President Donald Trump and immediately eased pressure on global markets, with traders reacting to the prospect of more oil and gas reaching international buyers.

The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for global energy exports, has been effectively shut since the US-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran began at the end of February. The disruption has pushed up fuel and energy costs worldwide.

Brent crude fell by more than 10 per cent to just above 89 US dollars a barrel during Friday afternoon trading. European stock markets also rose strongly, with the FTSE 100 up 0.6 per cent at 10,656, Germany’s Dax climbing 2 per cent and France’s Cac 40 gaining 1.7 per cent.

The announcement came as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron hosted an international meeting in Paris focused on securing trade routes through the Strait once fighting in the Middle East ends.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the route would be open to commercial shipping for the remainder of the current ceasefire period.

He said: “In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the co-ordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep of Iran.”

The United States and Iran are currently observing a fragile truce due to run until April 22, while Israel and Lebanon have entered a separate 10-day ceasefire.

Mr Trump said Tehran had declared the “strait of Iran” to be “fully open and ready for full passage”, but warned that the US blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place until Washington’s dealings with Tehran were fully resolved.

In Paris, Sir Keir said he would do “everything I can” to help restore safe passage through the route, as leaders from around 40 countries and the International Maritime Organisation gathered at the Elysee Palace.

The talks are aimed at building support for an international effort to protect freedom of navigation and restore confidence in commercial shipping.

Before the meeting, Sir Keir and Mr Macron met in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace, where they shook hands and posed for photographs.

The Prime Minister said: “It is very important that we build a coalition of countries around the principle that the ceasefire should be permanent, there should be a deal, and that the Strait of Hormuz is open.”

He was joined by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton, and called for a multinational initiative to safeguard shipping and support mine-clearance work.

Sir Keir said: “We must reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance operations to ensure a return to global stability and security.”

A further multinational military planning summit is due to take place next week at the UK’s permanent joint headquarters in Northwood, north-west London.

Despite Friday’s diplomatic push, it remains unlikely that countries involved in the talks will send ships into the Strait while the conflict continues, because of the risk of attack from Iran’s coastline.

THE HEAD of the Celtic Freeport has stepped down from the role less than two years after being appointed.

Luciana Ciubotariu officially left the post on April 16, with the organisation confirming her departure in a brief statement.

No explanation has been given for the move, but board members praised her contribution during a key period in the freeport’s development and said details of the search for a successor would be announced later.

Ms Ciubotariu joined the Celtic Freeport in May 2024 after previously working with Thames Freeport in London. She was brought in to help steer the project through its formative stages and played a central role in shaping its early direction.

Her exit comes at an important time for the scheme.

Only weeks ago, Neath Port Talbot Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the UK Government, Welsh Government, Pembrokeshire County Council and Celtic Freeport Company Limited. The agreement is intended to confirm the council’s role as the accountable body as the project moves into its next stage.

The Celtic Freeport, which was formally launched in late 2024, is a joint initiative involving Associated British Ports, the Port of Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire County Council and Neath Port Talbot Council.

The project is designed to create designated tax and customs zones aimed at attracting major investment and boosting economic growth across south-west Wales.

In a statement, the organisation said Ms Ciubotariu had led the freeport through the approval of its full business case and helped secure the memorandum of understanding with both the UK and Welsh governments.

That agreement is expected to unlock £25 million in public funding for the project.

The board said it was grateful for her work in helping establish the freeport and wished her well for the future.