Kindly hosted by NFU Cymru Monmouthshire County Chair Rob Hoggins and his family at their home at Whitecastle, near Llanvetherine, the main topics discussed during the meeting were the need to ratchet back cumbersome regulation and bureaucracy, bovine TB and commitments on future funding for Welsh agriculture including the need for evolution of the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
Speaking after the meeting, Rob Hoggins said: “We are grateful to Matthew Jones MS for meeting with us so swiftly after being elected in last month’s Senedd Elections.
Call for Multi‑Year Funding to Support Welsh Agriculture
“During the meeting, we emphasised the importance of the new Welsh Government delivering a multi-year funding cycle for Welsh agriculture, moving away from the current restrictive - and uncertain - year-to-year payment model, which fails to provide stability and confidence.
“We also made clear that the new Welsh Government must deliver on its commitment to evolve and refine the Sustainable Farming Scheme. The complexity of regulation was also explained in great detail and remedies offered to ensure that the scheme develops and evolve to ensure all farmers in Wales can have the opportunity to enter the scheme.
“The bureaucratic Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations were also discussed. Explaining the complexity of the paperwork requirement was met with huge concern and we reinforced the fact that the farming-by-calendar date simply does not work.
Action Needed on Bovine TB Strategy
“We also stressed the need for the new government to act, without delay, on developing a comprehensive bovine TB eradication strategy, one which deploys the right intervention, in the right way, at the right time.”
“We are most grateful to Matthew for visiting us on farm. The farm gate is always open for these opportunities and I sincerely hope we can work on some desperately needed changes.”
MS Praises Local Farmers and Highlights Shared Priorities
Matthew Jones MS said: “This meeting was a very valuable opportunity to hear the experiences and views of the local farming community in Monmouthshire.
“Our local farmers are high class food producers and custodians of the land. We had a frank conversation about the issues they face and the challenges that they have faced over recent years.
“The sustainability of our countryside, the health of our environment and ensuring local food chains are maintained and developed are a joint focus.
“I'm really pleased that I've been given some points that I will raise directly with the Welsh Government, and I look forward to continue discussions with members in all parts of Monmouthshire about how we can work together to ensure all of these goals are met.”