Following the devastating news that TATA steel intends closing blast furnaces at Port Talbot, Welsh Economy Minister Vaughan Gething told Radio 4’s Today Programme that “Whilst change is required, this is … about jobs ...about steel being a sovereign asset …about whether this really will reduce emissions if you’ve still got to have blast furnace steel produced in another part of the world…my worry is that we could have a plan today that transfers Welsh workers’ jobs and Welsh emissions to another part of the world…[UK Government] need to recognise that if Levelling Up ever meant anything, it surely cannot mean the loss of 2,500 direct well paid jobs, many more within the wider economy.”
Agricultural Policy
German farmers protest over cuts to subsidies
Farmers in Germany have been protesting for several weeks against the German government’s planned subsidy cuts. The German government has a €17 billion gap in their budget and decided to cut farm subsidies as one of their measures to balance the books.
Farmers are saying that the move would place them in financial trouble. The protest movement has blocked several motorways and city centres, culminating in a rally of 30,000 farmers and 5,000 tractors in Berlin.
Welsh Government has announced that there will be support payments to fully-certified organic farmers in 2024.
The Organic Support Payment will provide support to fully-certified organic farmers during the transition to the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
Welsh Government has published guidance on the Enhanced Nutrient Management Approach. The guidance is under the The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021.
The Enhanced Nutrient Management approach is a one-year scheme to allow a higher rate of nitrogen application from grazing livestock manures.
Tyfu Dyfi is looking for North Powys farmers interested in growing vegetables at field scale using agroecological practices for local consumption.
Tyfi Dyfi are currently selling significant quantities through veg box schemes and online, BUT, are having to buy some produce such as potatoes, brassicas, carrots, parsnips, etc, from wholesalers to meet demand.