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Lord Dafydd Wigley, FUW President Glyn Roberts, FUW Managing Director Alan Davies and David Jones MP[/caption]
Two political heavyweights went head to head at today’s Farmers’ Union of Wales EU debate, putting the spotlight firmly on the upcoming referendum.
The FUW was the first Union out of the starting block to host Lord Dafydd Wigley from the ‘Stronger in Europe’ campaign and David Jones MP, a former Secretary of State for Wales, at the debate, which was held at IBERS, Aberystwyth.
The event was attended by over a hundred FUW members and members of other farming Unions in Wales and firmly confirmed why the FUW has been a strong supporter of remaining part of the European Union.
Alan Davies, FUW Managing Director, who chaired the debate, said: “We have got the ball rolling and the FUW’s role in kick starting the platform for a debate is invaluable to agriculture and to Wales’ rural economy.
“The agri industry needs to be informed on all the aspects of what it means for us to leave the EU and what it will mean for us to remain part of the EU.
“Today was the first out of a series of 4 EU debates that will continue after the Welsh Assembly elections in the run-up to June 23 as we strive to provide our members with as much information as possible so they can make an informed decision when it comes to the vote.”
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The Rt Hon. the Lord Wigley[/caption]
Arguing for the UK to stay part of Europe was Lord Dafydd Wigley, who said: “As far as the agricultural industry here in Wales is concerned I have no doubt whatsoever that the arguments for remaining part of the European Union are totally overwhelming in terms of our market share, in terms of the financial aid we get from Europe, in terms of our ability to build on the markets we have already developed and have the potential to do more. The argument for Welsh agriculture must be to remain part of the European Union.”
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The Rt Hon David Jones MP[/caption]
Making the case for a Brexit was David Jones MP, a former Secretary of State for Wales, who said: “I am pleased to be here at the FUW EU referendum debate, which is extremely important and it is particularly important for farmers to hear both sides of the argument.
“I know that the FUW has taken a corporate position to support remaining part of the EU, but that may not be the opinion of all of its membership, so I think it’s an important part of democracy that we have these debates.”