Call for joined-up net zero approach

CLA Cymru has argued Wales must have an “holistic” plan to achieve net zero after the Welsh Government announced £32m for farmers and landowners to help Wales plant 86 million trees by the end of the decade to combat the climate emergency.

Following Climate Change Minister Julie James’ announcement, CLA Cymru’s Nigel Hollett’s said: “We welcome more support for tree-planting – but we need a holistic approach to net zero, food security and our other rural goals. Wales needs a plan which brings together all our priorities in food production, managing climate change, biodiversity and supporting our rural communities.

“I welcome the Welsh Government’s investment of £32m in treeplanting, but it’s time to set aside the silo-thinking about tree-planting and food production – they should not be alternatives but part of an integrated range of mutually supportive measures which meet society’s goals.

“Farmers and landowners are committed to playing their part in meeting net zero. Government’s challenge is to harness the countryside’s unique capacity to manage carbon as part of a rural powerhouse to produce food and sustain dynamic rural communities.

“In meeting net-zero goals, the Welsh Government needs to focus on the wider gamut of plant life. We know that crops, grassland, hedges and field margins, peatland and our aquatic plant life all can play their part. Many can manage carbon more quickly and efficiently that newlyplanted trees.”

Mr Hollett added: “Improving food security and the quality of our food are going to be critical topics of debate when the Agriculture (Wales) Bill is introduced this autumn. Our Sustainable Farming Scheme should rightly reward farmers for both growing the healthy food we need and reward them for their work in managing carbon. We must place greater emphasis on the benefit of these working together.

“There’s still work to be done to improve Wales’ woodland and trees strategy. The CLA has long called for a national strategy on tree health to protect and prolong the life of existing trees. We must put a stop to the leakybucket effect of investing in more trees when many are succumbing to disease and damage.

“A more effective tree-planting policy will include further care in planting the right trees in the right place, planting density, the range of varieties and companion planting. Saplings are vulnerable; those who plant new trees need further support to maintain them and monitor progress.

“When the Sustainable Farming Scheme becomes established it is inevitable that the government’s policy priorities and the resources available will drive this more holistic approach to rural land management.”