With the Senedd now dissolved and political campaigning very much in full swing, NFU Cymru is raising the profile of some of the key issues that will be in the minds of Welsh farmers when they head to the polls on Thursday 7 May.
NFU Cymru President Abi Reader said: “In a world which is increasingly volatile and unpredictable there is now an important opportunity to make sure Welsh agriculture, the food we produce, the jobs we support and the landscape we care for are all at the front and centre of this election campaign, which will see 96 MSs elected from across 16 new constituencies.”
Between now and election day, the union will be releasing a series of case study videos that further outline to candidates the challenges facing Welsh farmers, the policy solutions NFU Cymru has identified in response to these challenges as well as the current and future opportunities for the sector.
Growing Forward
NFU Cymru President Abi Reader said: “Having launched our Growing Forward Senedd Election manifesto last year, we wanted to take this opportunity to bring these key asks to life with a series of case study videos over the next few weeks.
These short clips see farmers speaking from the heart on a range of issues which matter to them and experiences that are shared by their counterparts across the country.
We believe it’s imperative that these priorities are discussed and considered by all those aspiring to sit in the next Senedd and those who will form the next Welsh Government.”
“Welsh agriculture has so much to offer in terms of growth and benefits not only for those living rurally, but for the whole of Wales. I am really excited about the prospects that lie ahead for the sector.
Working with the next Senedd and Welsh government, I want to ensure that potential is realised by ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory environment.”
Need for a strategy
To kick off the focus on the union’s manifesto asks, NFU Cymru President Abi Reader features in the first case study video amplifying farmers’ ask for the next Welsh Government to develop a comprehensive farm to fork food strategy.
In this video, Abi Reader emphasises the need for a strategy with ambitious targets and supporting policy to sustainably grow Wales’ food and drink sector, whilst also securing the continued supply of safe, high quality and affordable food from Wales.
Virtual hustings
As polling day draws ever closer, NFU Cymru has intensified its work around speaking to the parties and individuals contesting this election, including hustings events, meetings and farm visits the length and breadth of Wales.
The union is also keen to give its members a final opportunity to quiz the parties on their agricultural and rural policies before casting their ballot and so on the evening of April 27 NFU Cymru will be holding a Wales-wide virtual hustings.
This digital event will be open to all NFU Cymru members and will feature the agriculture and rural affairs spokespeople from the various parties.
Details of how to register for this online event will be published on the NFU Cymru website and the union’s social media channels in due course.
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