‘Farming is vital to wellbeing of Wales’
Farming has a cricital role to play in Wales’ economic, environmental, social and cultural wellbing, according to a new NFU Cymru report which will be launched at the Senedd later today.
The Farming: Bringing Wales Together report features farmer-led case studies from around Wales which demonstrate that the agricultural industry meets all the goals in the Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations Act.
The report will be launched during a special NFU Cymru Welsh Food and Farming celebratory event, sponsored by Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Simon Thomas AM.
According to the report, there are 58,300 people employed either full or part-time in farming in Wales, and more than 223,000 in the agri-food sector. Welsh agriculture has a gross output of around £1.5bn and underpins a food supply chain worth more than £6bn.
Local communities in rural Wales are highly dependent on agriculture for their financial security, the report adds. A third of the Welsh population lives in rural areas, and each family farm is linked economically to between 40 and 80 other businesses in its region.
The report also points out the environmental role of agriculture. Farmers care for more than 80% of Wales’ land, while the Welsh countryside, managed by farmers, provides the backdrop for a tourism industry worth more than £2.8bn.
Around 676,000 hectares, a third of the farmed area, are managed under the Glastir Entry sustainable land management scheme, designed to combat climate change, improve water management and enhance biodiversity.
In addition, farmers deliver a significant proportion of Wales’ access provision, including 16,000 miles of footpaths, 3,000 miles of bridleways, 1,200 miles of cycle network and 460,000 hectares of open-access land.
AMs attending today’s event will be treated to the premiere of a new Farming: Bringing Wales Together video, featuring farmers from across Wales and demonstrating the tangible benefits of their work to the Welsh economy and environment, as well as promoting and protecting Welsh language and culture.
NFU Cymru deputy president John Davies said: “I’m extremely proud that this report puts our members centre-stage and gives them the platform to demonstrate the everyday examples of innovation, commitment and sheer hard work taking place on farms and in rural communities across Wales, highlighting the importance of a vibrant, dynamic, profitable agricultural industry within Wales and the need for it to thrive.
“Of course, the passion and drive demonstrated by these 14 farming families and businesses is just a small snapshot of our wonderful industry. These examples do not occur in isolation – farmers across Wales are contributing to the economic, environmental, social and cultural wellbeing of Wales on many levels. Farming is part of Wales’ history and must continue to be recognised as an industry of critical and growing importance to Wales.
“There can be no doubt that this very significant contribution will only continue to be delivered if we have viable and profitable farming enterprises and a strong, competitive agricultural industry in Wales.
“It is clear that society needs farming to thrive and it is incumbent on us all to work together through the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act to put in place the policy and budgetary framework that allows farm businesses to be profitable so they can continue to deliver for the people of Wales now and in the future.
“If industry, government, decision-makers and stakeholders can all come together and recognise the contribution of agriculture and work with us to ensure a policy and budgetary framework that delivers a productive, profitable and progressive industry, then we will have an industry that will deliver jobs, growth and investment for all of Welsh society.”
The Farming: Bringing Wales Together report and video can be found at www.nfu-cymru.org.uk and the video is also available through NFU Cymru’s Facebook and Twitter channels.