“NFU CYMRU has a vision for a productive, profitable and progressive agricultural industry in Wales. We have a favourable climate and a nation bursting at the seams with passionate, dedicated and skilled farmers,” Stephen James, NFU Cymru President, told the Wales Farming Conference.
Mr James said: “As farmers we are proud of our role, first and foremost as food producers, being the cornerstone of the £6 billion Welsh food and drink industry and custodians of a countryside that we have created, cared for and continue to manage which not only supports a diverse range of species, habitats and ecosystems but also underpins a tourism industry that is worth nearly £2 billion to the economy of Wales.”
At the Wales Farming Conference, held on the Royal Welsh Showground, the Deputy Minister, Rebecca Evans, launched the Strategic Framework for Welsh Agriculture consultation document. The framework proposals have been developed jointly between Welsh Government and the farming industry.
NFU responds to future of farming proposals
Mr James said: “NFU Cymru along with other key industry stakeholders has a clear vision as to how the newly approved Wales Rural Development Programme (RDP) can be used to enhance the viability and competitiveness of our industry. Our proposals are innovative and focussed on integrating expert advice with on-farm investment to bring about widespread uptake, giving farmers the tools to drive their business forward. Crucial to the success of this framework will be Government and industry bringing these core projects to reality.”
Mr James will tell the Deputy Minister and the audience present, during his speech: “This is a difficult period for all sectors: exchange rates, retailer behaviour and commodity markets all seem to be against us at present which is why as part of this framework specific action plans must focus on how we can get the best possible returns from the market place, and this framework must interlink with the Welsh Food and Drink Strategy. Challenging targets must be set that industry and government must put all their combined resources into achieving. We must do everything possible to add value to primary produce here in Wales ensuring that all parts of the supply chain benefit.”
Mr James concluded: “Profitability is the key to delivering a prosperous, resilient industry and to achieve this we need to ensure maximum returns from the market place at the same time as making sure that what we produce is produced as efficiently as possible.”
FUW: PARTNERSHIP WORKING ESSENTIAL
FUW president Emyr Jones told delegates that Welsh farmers are facing the most challenging and difficult period for a decade, as a severely depleted CAP budget, coupled with ongoing uncertainty over what form the Basic Payment Scheme will take, added to extreme pressures caused by a crash in farm gate returns and farm incomes.
“Put simply, farming once again finds itself in depression, and the anger out there amongst the industry is evident,” said Mr Jones.
Describing the Strategic Framework for Welsh Agriculture consultation document launched by the Deputy Minister at the conference, Mr Jones said it contained aspirations for agriculture which few could disagree with, especially given the difficulties currently facing the industry, with agricultural prosperity and profitability being at the core of the framework.
Comparing the document with previous strategies, Mr Jones told delegates that “I’m glad to say that the strategy framework proposals being launched today differ significantly, even radically, in that, if adopted, this is not some 200 page strategy document which will join the others on the shelf.”
“Thanks to the joint work of government and industry bodies, it proposes the formation of an umbrella partnership group to oversee a short and to the point list of key objectives, most notably achieving and sustaining profitability.”
However, Mr Jones warned that the ability to influence many key factors which would help achieve these objectives were limited.
“We cannot control oil prices or exchange rates, and only God can change the weather which can make or break a profitable year. But the Rural Development Programme is one key toolbox we do have at our disposal. For our industry, and in particular our most important food producers who, whatever the final decision on the Basic Payment model is will lose the most significant amounts of money, the RDP is a lifeline.”
Mr Jones reminded those present of former minister Alun Davies’ commitment to using RDP funds to invest in the future of agriculture and equip it to cope with reductions in financial support and market failure, and welcomed the Deputy Minister’s commitments to strategic initiatives aimed at the red meat and dairy industries in particular.
“I welcome the Deputy Minister’s commitments to strategic initiatives aimed at the red meat and dairy industries in particular, and would urge Welsh Government to ensure that the partnership approach which it has signed up to is adopted when it comes to putting more flesh on the bones of the RDP so we can achieve the key objectives identified in this document, most importantly the profitability and prosperity of agriculture, without which all other objectives for our rural communities and landscapes become unattainable and irrelevant.”
MINISTER LAUNCHES MAJOR CONSULTATION
Delivering a keynote speech, Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans presented proposals for a new strategic framework for Welsh Agriculture.
These proposals have been developed jointly between the Welsh Government, FUW, NFU Cymru, CLA Wales and other key stakeholders.
The strategic framework sets out the challenges and threats facing the agriculture sector in Wales, but also highlights the opportunities, and importantly, the need for industry and Government to work together to secure a more prosperous and resilient future for the industry.
Taking the stage with Emyr Jones, President of the FUW, and Stephen James, President of the NFU-Cymru the Deputy Minister officially launched a 12-week consultation on the ‘Strategic Framework for Welsh Agriculture’.
She said: “Our vision is of a prosperous, sustainable industry. Successful, profitable farm businesses which have long-term futures are fundamental to success. We want an industry that is forward looking; uses best practice and works to safeguard and enhance soil, water and the natural environment – the bedrock of farm production.”
The Deputy Minister added that the Rural Development Programme, which was approved by the European Commission at the end of May, will provide financial support for many of the changes needed to farming and associated rural businesses, to help realise that vision.
She said: “With a value of over £900 million to rural Wales, much of which will be funded directly by the Welsh Government, this is the largest and most ambitious RDP we have ever proposed. The emphasis will be on ‘green growth’, supporting only those actions that are good for our rural economy, good for communities, good for the environment. For agriculture in particular, the new RDP will make significant, integrated investments in skills and knowledge, business development, fostering collaboration and improved land management. Our guiding principles are that we will achieve much more by working together and that farming must be a sustainable industry in the widest sense. The Welsh Government and its partners look forward to your response about how you want to take our industry forward.”
The deadline for responses is August 27 and the consultation is available on gov.wales