The event, held at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday 11 November, saw NFU Cymru’s Crops and Horticulture Board Chair, Tom Rees present the report alongside NFU Cymru President, Abi Reader and Chair of the Senedd’s Climate Change, Environment, Sustainability and Rural Affairs Committee, James Evans MS.
Attendees, consisting of Members of the Senedd, representatives from industry, stakeholders and many of the farmers featured in the report, heard that whilst just 6% of farmland in Wales is currently in arable or horticulture production there is huge potential to grow the sector through increased investment, innovation, trade, supply chain fairness and a supportive policy and regulatory environment.
Plenty of opportunity for growth
NFU Cymru’s Crops and Horticulture Board Chair, Tom Rees, said:
“Welsh Arable and Horticulture businesses are some of the most entrepreneurial, sustainable and ambitious in farming today. With plenty of opportunities for growth, an enabling and supportive policy and regulatory framework is needed to help the sectors fulfil their potential.”
“Key to this is ensuring that the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) is accessible to all arable and horticulture growers; to do this the scheme needs to expand the range of options available to meet the habitat requirements of the SFS Universal Layer. We are also calling for Welsh Government to incentivise the production of more protein crops like peas, beans and lupins through the introduction of a dedicated protein payment within the sustainable production element of the SFS Optional Layer.
“Given the extremes of wet and dry weather seen in recent years we need to better capture the plentiful rainfall that we have in Wales for much of the year to make use of at times of shortage. We urgently need a reform of the planning and regulatory processes involved in applying for and using water infrastructure on farm. On farm reservoirs bring the dual benefit of supporting food production whilst also promoting diverse eco systems and environmental habitats.”
Ahead of the UK-EU summit on 20 November, attendees also heard how critical the impact of a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement will be on Welsh arable and horticulture producers.
Mr Rees added: “Whilst a reset of trading relations and subsequent reduction in red tape can facilitate improved trade with Wales’s biggest market, dynamic alignment as part of an SPS agreement must have an effective transition period. NFU Cymru is clear that a ‘cliff edge’ alignment with EU rules on plant protection products could cost the arable and horticultural sectors dearly.”
Enormous potential
Through a series of case studies featuring businesses from across Wales, the report also demonstrates how local processing and marketing initiatives can help retain value within rural communities, support local employment and provide consumers with high-quality Welsh food. The report highlights the need for greater fairness and transparency in supply chains to ensure producers receive the right returns for the risks and investment involved in producing food.
Mr Rees concluded: “This report demonstrates the enormous potential of Welsh arable and horticulture to further contribute to economic growth, strengthen food security and support rural communities in every corner of Wales. We want to work with Welsh Government to help create the right policy environment to unlock that potential, a shared commitment to help drive the sectors forward and realise the opportunities that lie ahead.”