Following a protest by thousands of farmers and staff from associated businesses on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on 28 February, the Senedd proceeded to debate and vote down two motions on policies relating to the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) and bovine TB.
The Welsh Conservatives motion called on the Welsh Government to scrap the current sustainable farming scheme proposals and to re-engage with the farming sector to develop a new scheme that has the support of the farming community.
The second motion on bovine TB, tabled by Plaid Cymru, called on the Welsh Government to urgently undertake a long-term evaluation and appraisal of current cattle controls to determine their relative effectiveness in preventing and controlling disease transmission. Additionally the motion also asked for immediate changes to on-farm slaughter policy and establish policies which reflect wildlife as a source of infection.
The FUW is proud to say that the agricultural community stood in unity on the steps of the Senedd to express the strength of feeling towards the current situation and the future direction of agricultural policy in Wales.
Many speakers said, including Senedd Members, how at difficult times we must stand together in unity. However, despite the FUW’s presence and the very real frustrations of the farming community that have been demonstrated by events right across Wales over recent weeks, the Senedd votes reflected party political priorities rather than real consideration of the facts.
This is history repeating itself since two years ago Plaid Cymru’s motion to annul the Control of Agricultural Pollution ‘NVZ’ regulations was lost by 30 votes to 27 despite the regulations repeatedly being referred to ‘as a hammer to crack a nut.
Following recent meetings with both farming unions and other farming representatives the First Minister and Minister for Rural Affairs issued a joint statement outlining the next steps now being considered to the SFS. There were also some comments made by the Government around the issue of bovine TB and the ‘NVZ’ regulations but no clear way forward has emerged on either of these two issues.
While it’s positive to see that at least some steps are now being considered with the SFS, it is truly disheartening to think it has taken thousands standing on the steps of the Senedd for the Welsh Government to acknowledge the severity of the situation and issue a rather bland statement which doesn’t come close to addressing the concerns.
As a professional farming union, with members’ interests at its core, the FUW have a duty to work with both the government in power and the opposition parties to drive things forward. The FUW’s job will continue: ensuring that Wales’ agricultural sector and our family farms receive the consideration and respect they deserve.