Farmer Focus: If we don’t buy British, why should shoppers?
Daffyd Parry Jones © Richard Stanton Over the past few years we’ve been carrying out a project to save our old farm buildings from falling into disrepair.
It’s been a very pleasurable experience having local craftsmen on the farm. And by doing so, we have in return contributed to the local economy.
See also: Advice on managing farm business cashflow
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One of them is a neighbouring farmer and friend who has turned a pile of stones, which I picked up around the farm in the past few weeks, into a beautiful stone wall.
The wall consists of the many and various stones of all shapes and shades found in the local area. It’s truly an amazing rural work of art.
Another skill I’ve enjoyed observing is the laying of a new slate roof. The builder asked us what slate we wanted; the pocket said Spanish, but my conscience said Welsh.
If we expect, or insist, that the British public back British farmers by purchasing and consuming our quality, premium products, then we would be regarded as real hypocrites to opt for lower-standard, cheaper imports.
As farmers, we are recipients of money contributed by the British taxpayer. Therefore, we have a duty to support British jobs and trades.
But all of us, I’m sure like ourselves, are not supporting our home-produced goods. We drive a German car and have an Italian farm handler here.
A local roofing contractor has perfectly laid the Welsh slate, giving us an exceptional roof that will hopefully last another 200 years.
This will secure the building, which is such an important part of our landscape, to be enjoyed by many of our future generations.
The excitement is increasing as Cymru (Wales) gets ready to take part in its first football World Cup in over 60 years.
We do not take our existence in the games, or our existence as a country, for granted.
We are being led into the championship with the song “Yma o hyd”, which celebrates we are “still here”.
It was written 40 years ago by Dafydd Iwan, a descendent of a neighbouring farm. The Kiwis have their Haka, and we in Wales have got “Yma o Hyd”.
When tens of thousands of people sing with all their might, it will hopefully inspire the team to achieve more. Go on, Cymru!