The Montgomeryshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has held positive talks with local AM Russell George, discussing the most critical #FarmingMatters.
Top of the agenda were farm thefts, livestock worrying, the introduction of NVZ’s in the county, as well as the future of farming in light of Brexit.
Speaking after the meeting, FUW Montgomeryshire County Executive Officer Emyr Wyn Davies said: “We had a really good meeting with Russell George and discussed the most critical farming matters.
“Our members are feeling increasingly stressed. An increase in farm thefts, livestock attacks and the continued uncertainty for the future of our sector, are all things that play on farmers minds.
“It seems that rural communities across Wales are being thrown to the wolves by the ongoing Brexit car crash, and we need more than just vague reassurances. Our farmers can’t plan for the future without knowing what market they are selling to, and who their customers are.
“There is stock grazing our fields today that could, and should, have gone to EU countries. All that is in jeopardy now. At the same time we are flirting with the option of flooding our own supermarkets shelves with chlorinated chicken and hormone injected beef. It is absolute madness.”
Mr Davies further stressed that whatever happens the family farm and all those businesses who rely on agriculture have to be safeguarded.
“What politicians must remember is that farming matters. Welsh food production sustains tens of thousands of other businesses – from upstream businesses such as feed merchants, agricultural contractors and engineers, to downstream businesses such as hauliers, processors and retailers. For every pound generated on farm, around 6 pounds is spent in the wider economy.
“As managers of around 80 percent of Wales’ landmass, farmers also play an invaluable part in managing and preserving a landscape which provides clean drinking water for millions, is diverse in habitat and species and includes more than 1,000 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
“All of this will be placed in jeopardy if our Governments fail us.”