In a heated exchange with the First Minister, James Evans MS has questioned whether the Welsh Government has conducted an up-to-date impact assessment on the Sustainable Farming Scheme after a report predicted 5,500 job losses.
The report, commissioned by the Welsh Government themselves, also predicts a 122,200 reduction in Welsh livestock, and a loss of £200 million to farm business income.
When these were put directly to Mark Drakeford, he dismissed the claims as ‘alarmist nonsense’.
James Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, went on to highlight just how concerned, scared, and angry farmers are feeling around the uncertainty for their futures and what impact the proposed scheme would have on them after hearing people’s thoughts during visits to farms, livestock markets and agricultural suppliers last week.
Speaking in the Senedd, James Evans MS said:
“All the people I’ve spoken to are worried. They’re scared and they’re angry because of the uncertainty around their futures.
“Rural mental health charities are also being inundated with calls from people who need help and support due to the huge pressures they’re currently under because of unrelenting form filling, TB, and a government that seems to ignore their concerns.
Speaking directly to the First Minister, James said:
“How can farmers trust you and the Rural Affairs Minister when you say that you will listen to the consultation when it seems to many that this government has ignored farmers during the co-design phase and also did not take account of the evidence that outlines the untold damage that this scheme would do to rural Wales?”
Following on from the exchange with the First Minister, James said:
“I am shocked and alarmed by the tone of the First Minister’s response yesterday. His reaction to me, and other members in the chamber, makes it very clear that the Welsh Labour party do not care about rural communities, and the future of many farming families across Wales.
“The industry needs to send a very clear message that it will not accept any schemes from the Welsh Government that costs jobs, causes a loss to the economy, and does not prioritise food production because without our farmers, we have no food.”
