Coronavirus ‘should bring sharper clarity to future of farming’
“FARMERS have stepped up to the challenge of feeding the nation through the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, and the lessons learnt must be applied to future of farm support in Wales,” according to Nigel Hollett, director of CLA Cymru.
His words come as the Welsh Government published its report of responses to its Sustainable Farming and Our Land consultation which took place last summer.
“The crisis has focused our attention on the priorities of sustaining stable supply chains, managing risk, dovetailing with the parallel process in England – and without compromise to society’s expectations about delivering public goods,” said Mr Hollett.
“These must now be applied to the post-Brexit solution to support farming in Wales.
“Farmers are reassured by the
Welsh Government’s commitment to continued support,” Mr Hollett continued.
“The emergency measures introduced in the pandemic crisis have demonstrated this. The food chain has continued to feed the nation while many other sectors went into lockdown. This is proof positive of the critical role the rural economy plays to wider society. It’s a strong message to those formulating the new framework within government.
“But it is vital we see progress in developing a clear formula for support. The consultation proposed a sustainable farming scheme intended to balance goals in business resilience and productivity with environmental and social goals. How this works at farm level still is a key issue and we will do all we can to work with WG to make the scheme a success.
“We need to see clarity about criteria and eligibility for support and, critically, value for what the sector delivers. I believe that the Covid-19 pandemic experience has put this into a sharp focus.
“Time is running out. Farmers need to be able to plan ahead – into the post-RPW era – with confidence. Our farmers must be globally competitive.
“We, CLA Cymru, have been engaged with the process from the beginning. We’re reassured to see a mission to support food production side by side with other vital parts of the rural economy – forestry, renewable energy and water quality – which also would reward land managers for meeting society’s goals in environmental care, flood mitigation, conservation and tackling climate change.
“Success for the Sustainable Farming and Our Land process must be measured by what it does for the whole rural community.
“Departure from the old CAP system has finally given us the opportunity to stop treating farming in isolation. Many Welsh farms today are complex and varied businesses performing a vital role in a dynamic rural economy. Our support structure must be agile and adaptable to support this.
“Looking to maximise the potential for prosperity, our system of farm support must embrace and encourage wider entrepreneurship in a rural development strategy which fits with the wider agenda of sustainability, investment and growth.
“We will continue to work closely with the Welsh Government and other key organisations and look forward to contributing to the next stage of the process,” said Mr Hollett.