Farming union NFU Cymru has set out its manifesto for the general election, including 10 key policy asks for prospective parliamentary candidates to adopt to show support for farming.
Prospective candidates standing in the June 8th general election are being asked to commit to address the issues highlighted in the union’s 10 key policy asks.
NFU Cymru says the policy asks would help ensure that the agricultural sector has a productive, profitable and progressive future that can deliver jobs, growth and investment for the whole of Welsh society.
Numerous other rural organisations have released their manifestos, including the NFU, the CLA, the Soil Association, the Tenant Farmers' Association and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
NFU Cymru’s ten policy asks
• Securing the right trade deal with the European Union
• Maintain current levels of investment for farming in Wales
• Clear and unambiguous country of origin labelling
• Public procurement contracts should prioritise Welsh produce
• The Groceries Code Adjudicator must protect farmers from unfair practices in the food chain
• Development and deployment of science and technology must be a priority
• Sound science must be at the heart of decision making
• The next government must ensure the sector has access to the labour it requires
• Accelerated roll out of broadband and mobile coverage to all rural areas
• Effective efforts to tackle rural crime
'Most important in a generation'
NFU Cymru President Stephen James said the upcoming snap general election is the 'most important in a generation' for farmers.
“It is vital that the next UK Government recognises the importance of farming to Wales and ensure that the industry is afforded the opportunity to prosper.
“If these key asks are not acted upon they could hamper the industry’s ability to continue to play an important role for Wales from an economic, environmental, social and cultural perspective.
“As candidates head out on doorsteps across the country to sell themselves as the political representative for their area, our members across the length and breadth of Wales will be challenging candidates on how they can press UK Government to help ensure a productive, profitable and progressive future for farming.
“NFU Cymru is committed to working with the new UK Government to ensure that our 10 key policy asks are effectively addressed.”
