James Evans MS Demands Action from Rural Affairs Minister: Will Young Farmers Have a Future in Wales?
James Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, challenged the Welsh Government to provide young farmers with a tangible hope for their future in the industry. His call comes in response to the desperate plea of young farmers who expressed fear and uncertainty due to bovine tuberculosis (TB), inadequate payment rates for sustainable farming initiatives, potential land loss for environmental projects and attacks from environmentalists. Many young farmers remain unaware of the exact payment rates creating more uncertainty and worry around their future in Welsh agriculture.
James Evans MS said: “Across Wales, countless young people passionate about agriculture are facing a barrage of challenges that threaten their very livelihoods. The fear of TB, combined with financial concerns and the perception of a government deaf to their struggles, is creating a crisis of confidence.
“The future of Welsh agriculture depends on nurturing and empowering the next generation of farmers," Evans concluded.
“The Rural Affairs Minister needs to step up and provide concrete answers to these anxieties. We need a clear commitment to addressing TB, ensuring fair financial returns for sustainable practices, and protecting farmland for productive agriculture."
Specific concerns highlighted by Evans include:
- Bovine tuberculosis: The ongoing TB crisis continues to devastate Welsh farming families, causing emotional distress and significant financial losses. Evans demands a more robust and effective approach to tackling this problem, ensuring the safety of both animals and livelihoods.
- Sustainable farming scheme: Payment rates under the current scheme are inadequate, discouraging young farmers from adopting sustainable practices. Evans urges the government to revise these rates to incentivize and support sustainable farming models that benefit both the environment and farmers’ incomes.
- Land loss: Concerns regarding potential land loss for tree planting and biodiversity targets raise fears of reduced farming capacity and further marginalization of young farmers. Evans emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that protects vital ecosystems while safeguarding the viability of farming businesses.
- Lack of government support: The perception of a government prioritizing environmental concerns over the well-being of farmers is deeply concerning. Evans calls for stronger government action to combat the negativity directed towards farmers, including addressing misleading public narratives and actively protecting the industry from unfair criticism.
Speaking in the Senedd, James Evans MS also said:
“The future of agricultural industry in Wales depends on the Welsh Government getting things right for our next generation of young farmers.
“In my role as constituency member for Brecon and Radnorshire, I meet many young entrants due to my connection to the industry, and also the part I played in the Young Farmers movement.
“A young farmer emailed me directly to ask the Minister if they can give them any hope that there’s any future for them and other young entrants across the agricultural industry in Wales. He said it seems the government is far too quiet and reluctant to support us from the barrage of abuse that we receive from TV personalities for the fear of upsetting the environmental lobby.
“Without our next generation of farmers, we might as well say that the Welsh agricultural industry is closed for business.”
