Farming
Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP hopefuls quizzed on farming
AHEAD of the July 4 general election, Mid and South Pembrokeshire general election hopefuls have outlined what they will do the support farming and the countryside.
As part of constituency changes, bits of north Pembrokeshire – including St Davids and– are joining the new Mid and South Pembrokeshire constituency.
Mid and South Pembrokeshire covers Letterston, Solva and St Davids down to Hundleton and Tenby, stretching eastwards to Amroth, Narberth and Lampeter Velfrey.
Other parts of the north of the county are now in the new Ceredigion Preseli constituency; which extends up past Aberystwyth and also includes Cilgerran, Crymych, St Dogmaels, Fishguard and Llanrhian.
There’s now a 15-candidate battle for the two seats, eight in Mid and South Pembrokeshire and seven in Ceredigion Preseli.
With a July 4 date set for the general election, the currently declared candidates for Mid and South Pembrokeshire are: Hanna Andersen (Women’s Equality Party); Alistair Cameron (Welsh Liberal Democrats); Stephen Crabb (Welsh Conservative); Stuart Marchant (Reform UK); James Purchase (Green Party); Vusi Siphika (Independent); Cris Tomos (Plaid Cymru); and Henry Tufnell (Welsh Labour).
Liberal Democrat candidate Alistair Cameron said: “Our farmers have a key role in ensuring that everyone can get affordable, healthy and nutritious food produced to high welfare and environmental standards. We must ensure that all imported food meets UK standards for health and welfare, and that goods are properly checked.
“Liberal Democrats would renegotiate the Australia and New Zealand trade agreements in line with our objectives for health, environmental and animal welfare standards, withdrawing from them if that cannot be achieved.
“I am pleased the Welsh Government is reviewing its proposed farm payment scheme as we need a fairer scheme.
“As a county councillor, I want to ensure that our planning policies safeguard and preserve our beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside whilst at the same time enabling people to make a decent living sustainably. “
Green Party candidate James Purchase said: “The Green Party will push for the financial support for farmers to be almost tripled. These payments will be linked to the reduction of pesticides and various agro-chemicals.
“It’s our food system that’s failing us – not farmers. Farmers must be fully supported in their transition to nature friendly farming – not shamed and blamed. Remember: land owners are not necessarily farmers. Poor diets are estimated to cost the NHS £6.5 billion a year and successive governments have failed to take on the unhealthy food lobby. I lived and worked on a large farm in Pembs for 20 yrs and, though not a farmer, witnessed the radical changes that had to be made to survive. The Green Party will work with farmers and other stakeholders to transform our food and farming systems.”
Hanna Andersen said: “The deep cuts to our public services mean that swathes of rural areas have lost local access care.
“I will champion local services which are accessible to all, are run for the needs of the communities they serve and are inclusive to everyone. This means working with rural communities in particular to ensure they have access to the care they need.
“I am also committed to working with farming communities to facilitate a fair and just transition to climate friendly farming, prioritising food security for local people.”
Labour candidate Henry Tufnell said: “I come from a farming family, and it was an integral part of my life growing up. A key priority for me therefore is to facilitate that positive working relationship between the rural community and the Welsh Government.
“Furthermore, the farming community in Pembrokeshire needs a government in Westminster that recognises food security is national security, extends the new veterinary agreement to cover all the UK thereby removing export barriers, harnesses our diplomatic and trade networks to champion Welsh farming whilst protecting the environment, and sets a target for half of all food purchased across the public sector to be locally produced or certified to higher environmental standards.”
Conservative candidate Stephen Crabb said: “Farming is the backbone of the Pembrokeshire economy. When Pembrokeshire farming is doing well, our whole county does well.
“I am clear that food production must remain at the heart of agricultural policy, and I opposed Welsh Labour’s plans for removing 10 per cent of agricultural land for tree planting. I have a strong track record of standing up for Pembrokeshire’s farming community, fighting for fairer milk prices and a strong Supermarket Ombudsman to get a better deal for farmers.
“I will continue to challenge Welsh Labour’s failure to tackle Bovine TB which is causing high levels of stress and anxiety to farmers. I will also continue to campaign for lower fuel taxes, more affordable housing for Pembrokeshire people, and better rural transport connections.”
Reform’s Stuart Marchant said: “It seems to me that our farmers have been let down and are continually being let down. The Senedd is responsible for farming within Wales but in my view they are not held to account properly. I would expect to be the voice of my constituents and I would not be afraid to hold the Senedd to account vocally.
“Reform UK are also the only party that promises to increase the UK’s farming budget to £3 billion. Money that would then be issued by the Senedd within Wales but I would expect to closely monitor.
“I am also a believer in transport links. Our constituency is not well served by rail or road and I would expect to voice frequent and often calls for vast improvements to our rail links and roads.”
Independent Vusi Siphika said: “Farming and agriculture is an agenda with many intricacies. The government needs to stop dismantling farmland hectare by hectare, placing conditions on subsidies and trust farmers to do what they know – feed the nation!
“Mechanisms need to be put in place to ensure our farmers get paid a fairer price. Supermarkets need to pay our farmers more.
“Farmer poverty is a reality which must end. Farmers need government support to find modern solutions of farming that can still maintain levels of yield in production but protect the very land they work for generations to come.”
Plaid Cymru candidate Cris Tomos said: “Plaid Cymru is on the side of Welsh farming as the sector has faced serious challenges from both the Conservatives in Westminster, and Labour in Cardiff. Years of Tory economic chaos has contributed to huge rises in farm input costs and Westminster’s post-Brexit trade deals have allowed more cheap imports to undermine domestic markets.
“The Tories promised ‘not a penny less’ in farm funding to Wales, yet we have been left hundreds of millions of pounds worse off due to this broken promise. £243m is the estimate.
“I believe Wales should have a veto over future trade deals that undermine Welsh agricultural communities. I also opposed Labour’s Sustainable Farming Scheme in the Senedd, which called for 10% tree cover on all farms.”
Farming
Pembrokeshire farmer’s award for outstanding service to Welsh dairy industry
DAIRY farmer, Stephen James, from Gelliolau farm in Clunderwen, Pemborkeshire has been presented the FUW Outstanding Service to the Welsh Dairy Industry award at the Welsh Dairy Show 2024 in Carmarthen.
Presenting Stephen with the award will be FUW President Ian Rickman during the Welsh Dairy Show held at the United Counties Showground in Nantyci, Carmarthen on Tuesday 22 October 2024.
Ian Rickman, FUW President said: “The judging panel were delighted with the nominations this year, but Stephen’s diligent and relentless work for over 20 years representing the industry in a public role on the issue of Bovine TB in particular placed him on top.
“A worthy winner, Stephen has used his own experience of dealing with TB on his own farm business, having been in and out of restrictions for over a quarter of a century, to highlight the main issues that affect Welsh farmers, publicly.”
Stephen is Chairman of the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework a position he has held since July 2018. As Chairman, working closely with Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer, Stephen works to make improvements in standards of animal health and welfare across Wales.
He has also been a leading figure in representing the concerns of Welsh farming to the Government. As an industry representative on the Welsh Government TB programme board, he has undertaken countless bilingual media interviews to local, national and international broadcasters. He highlights the impact the disease has on farming families and the need for the Welsh Government to implement a Comprehensive TB Eradication Strategy.
On winning the award, Stephen James said: “Receiving this award is a huge privilege. It was quite a shock to hear the news. I am extremely grateful to receive the award, especially at an event that is so close to my heart and is so important to the milk sector in Wales. Thank you so much for the honour.”
Stephen James has held a wide range of positions within NFU Cymru from Local Branch Chairman to President (2014 – 2018). He has worked on a number of significant policy areas including the Common Agricultural Policy Reform and Brexit, dairy issues and an influential figure during the trying times of the 2012 milk crisis. Stephen, alongside other UK farming union leaders, addressed the July 2012 dairy farmers Westminster Hall Rally.
Passionate about supporting the next generation of farmers, Stephen shared the responsibility for his farm business at Gelliolau to his son, Daniel, at a young age. He has been heavily involved with the Wales Young Farmers, both locally and nationally holding a number of positions including Pembrokeshire County Chairman, Pembrokeshire County President and Wales YFC Council member.
A long standing member of First Milk and a Director and past Chairman of Clynderwen and Cardiganshire Farmers, he truly believes in the values and principles of co-operative organisations.
He is former President of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, a President and active Board Member of Clunderwen Show Society, a past Chair of Clunderwen Community Council and member and past Chairman of Narberth Grassland Society. Stephen James is also a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies.
Ian Rickman concluded: “Stephen James has truly made an outstanding contribution to the Welsh Dairy Industry. We are delighted to present him with this FUW award in recognition of the years of work he has carried out on behalf of Welsh farmers. On behalf of the FUW, I congratulate and thank Stephen for his work.”
Farming
Community farm brings support and skills to veterans in Pembrokeshire
A COMMUNITY farm in Pembrokeshire is making a difference for veterans and vulnerable individuals by blending nature-based activities with therapeutic support.
Founded by Daisy Coleman in 2019, Redberth Croft CIC became an officially registered Community Interest Company in 2024. Since its inception, the farm has offered a host of engaging activities, from gardening therapy and animal-assisted sessions to creative workshops and rural skills training, all aimed at fostering resilience and personal growth.
One of its standout initiatives, ‘Hedging Your Vets,’ received support from the Port of Milford Haven Community Fund. This unique project provides veterans with training in traditional hedgelaying—a skill that preserves biodiversity while promoting mental wellbeing. Running throughout the winter, the programme equips participants with practical skills that open pathways to potential employment in conservation and sustainable agriculture.
To further its mission, Redberth Croft CIC collaborates with organisations such as The VC Gallery and The Tenby Project. Together, they work with local authorities to deliver day services that enhance inclusion and accessibility for individuals facing learning disabilities and mental health challenges.
More than just a farm, Redberth Croft CIC serves as a community hub, offering a supportive space for individuals with complex needs to build confidence, learn new skills, and form meaningful connections. Its core belief is that green health initiatives and nature-based therapies can offer significant therapeutic benefits to those in need.
For those interested in participating in the ‘Hedging Your Vets’ project or other future courses, further details can be found on Redberth Croft CIC’s website and social media channels.
Through its work, Redberth Croft CIC is cultivating a compassionate and resilient community in Pembrokeshire, promoting both personal growth and environmental conservation in a safe, welcoming environment.
Farming
Kurtz’s showdown with Government over Sustainable Farming Scheme
MEMBER of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Samuel Kurtz, today (Oct 23) called on the Welsh Labour Government to acknowledge their failures in developing the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).
The SFS, intended to replace the Common Agricultural Policy following the UK’s departure from the EU, has encountered significant challenges. These range from its widespread unpopularity among farmers—due to the enforced tree-planting on productive farmland—to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the funding levels that farmers can expect.
Speaking after the debate, Samuel Kurtz said: “It was the responsibility of everyone in the Chamber who cares about farming and rural communities to forcefully highlight the inadequacy of the SFS in its current form.
“The Welsh Labour Government should be ashamed of their failure to engage properly with farmers. It should never have taken thousands of farmers descending on Cardiff Bay, nor the symbolic placement of wellington boots on the steps of the Senedd, to make the Government finally stop and listen. Speaking at that event was one of the proudest moments of my life, but it should never have been allowed to get that bad that farmers felt compelled to protest.
“The Welsh Government must now act swiftly to address these issues. Farmers need clear answers to plan for their future, their livelihoods, and their communities. If the SFS is not developed and implemented correctly, farming across Wales will be put at risk.”
Also this week, James Evans MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Rural Affairs Minister, said: “The farming community has expressed disappointment that their concerns around Labour’s Sustainable Farming Scheme are being ignored despite multiple consultations.
“Additionally, the deeply unpopular 10% tree cover requirement risks losing valuable farmland. Yet, despite legitimate concerns, Labour presses on.
“The Welsh Conservatives support a farming model that rewards good practices, offers fair incentives, and includes farmers in decision-making. Labour’s Rural Affairs Minister claims to be listening to the community, yet no evidence of this has materialised, he is simply paying lip service to our farmers.”
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