The Climate Change Committee’s recommendation to reduce livestock numbers in Wales by nearly 20% is not the answer, according to James Evans MS for Brecon & Radnorshire. This recommendation is driven by climate change concerns and claims to address sustainability targets.
The Shadow Cabinet Minister for Farming, Food & Rural Affairs, Sam Kurtz MS, has written to the Cabinet Secretary, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, in the strongest terms, saying this approach risks causing “significant harm to Wales’ meat, poultry and dairy farms, as well as the rural economy that depends on them.
James Evans MS said:
“Reducing livestock numbers is not the answer. It will cause huge harm to our agricultural sector, put livelihoods at risk and make us more dependent on foreign imports. We should be strengthening food production in this country and value our food security.
“We can produce traceable, sustainable meat, reared to some of the highest welfare standards around the world. There is a demand for these meat products, so reducing our production here will only open the door to imports of lower-quality meats, reared to much lower environmental standards. The carbon footprint of imported meat is significantly greater. Welsh farmers have made considerable efforts to meet strict environmental, welfare and regulatory standards – the same cannot be said for much of the meat imported into this country.
“The Climate Change Committee should look at the bigger picture and stop prioritising abstract targets over the livelihoods of farmers, rural communities, and the resilience of our food systems. Many farms already operate on very narrow margins, and many would not be viable if they were forced to reduce numbers by 20%.
“The Committee should be actively engaging with the agricultural sector, working with them to address sustainability, protect our food security and recognise the important work farming plays in addressing climate change. This recommendation undermines those who have long been committed to working the land responsibly, and I urge the Climate Change Committee to think again.”
