Trying times for farming industry

WITHOUT a shadow of doubt, the past few weeks have been trying in terms of weather, slow grass growth and all the uncertainties surrounding who and what would wield the greatest influences on farming and rural communities.

Over the past year, the uncertainty surrounding the Carmarthen Livestock Centre and its future has been the topic of many a conversation. It was reassuring to have the leader of Carmarthenshire County Council present at a virtual NFU Cymru Carmarthenshire county meeting to provide an update and to give assurance of the authority’s intentions in terms of ensuring the future of the site for livestock trading and affiliated purposes.

It was refreshing to receive news on May 11 that Nock Deighton Agricultural LLP had been offered the leasehold. The 190-year-old company has performed admirably at Newcastle Emlyn mart since 2018 and it was immensely encouraging to read of the commitment to provide a quality service and employment opportunities in the area. I sincerely hope that Carmarthen Livestock Centre will again complement the other excellent livestock trading facilities operating in the county, and so take its rightful place in bolstering the fabric of rural communities.

I’m thankful to the administration at County Hall, Carmarthen for the regular, open discussions with NFU Cymru officials and officeholders over the past year. Long may that working relationship continue. Credit to the key decision makers for heeding the interests of rural Carmarthenshire in affording an experienced, trusted and proven company the opportunity to operate the mart in our county town.

Turning to the next tier of governance, at the time of writing, the First Minister of the newly formed Welsh Government has just announced his cabinet. These individuals will be the key players responsible in their respective portfolios for delivering the objectives intended to realise the government’s vision. I feel a distinct sense of disappointment. Despite recent platitudes and expressions of thanks to the farming sector for continuing to supply safe, traceable food through turbulent times, and despite being one of the key players in the efforts to address the climate change crisis, rural affairs seemingly only warrant a third of the time of one minister. Only time will tell if this is truly indicative of the importance of farming/rural communities, and their contribution to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of Wales, in the eyes of the Welsh Government.

Needless to say, the industry and its representative organisations will always seek an open and collaborative working relationship with Welsh Government, and will always seek to deal in the currency of facts, evidence and expertise.