Farmers reject ‘whingeing’ tag

DAI DAVIES, deputy president of NFU Cymru, has refuted an attack on farming leaders by Welsh Labour MP Paul Flynn.

During a Commons early day motion on CAP reform Mr Flynn, who sits for Newport West, claimed farmers suffer from “chronic whingeing incontinence”.

He also described the media as gullible for giving too much widespread coverage to complaints made by the industry without just cause.

Comparing farming with the steel industry in Wales he suggested that producers should stand on their own two feet and not be too eager to accept financial support from the EU.

Mr Davies said the remarks were typical of the MP, who had opposed the industry for so long that he had forgotten the real issues.

Both steel producers and farmers were of paramount importance and should be supported.

“Farming is at the hub of Welsh communities and its individual concerns should be heard,” he claimed.

Farmers Union of Wales spokesman Alan Morris said Mr Flynn‘s comments should surprise nobody in Welsh farming.

“We have a huge file of correspondence with him going back over several years and have tried hard to convince him of the contribution farming makes to the economy and environment.

“We are endeavouring to work with him and debated the issues with him at the National Eisteddfod, at which he also judged our children‘s painting competition.

“On this occasion he was actually attacking the NFU and not us. However, we feel it was unfair to target the media for picking up on the genuine concerns of the farming industry.”