Gruffydd pledges partnership with farming industry

Welsh rural affairs minister Llyr Gruffydd has pledged to work in partnership with the farming industry as the new Plaid Cymru minority government sets out its approach to agriculture, insisting there is “no agenda” to reduce livestock numbers in Wales.

Speaking at Hybu Cig Cymru’s (HCC) breakfast briefing at the Royal Welsh Show, Mr Gruffydd sought to reassure the livestock sector that the new administration would back a “strong, sustainable and productive livestock sector”, signalling a collaborative approach to future policy.

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“I want to be clear today. This Welsh government does not have an agenda to drive reductions in livestock numbers,” he said.

“We are clear that Wales needs a strong, sustainable and productive livestock sector, and our priority is to support a resilient, productive and sustainable livestock sector.”

The commitment comes just weeks after Plaid Cymru formed a minority government in the Senedd, with Mr Gruffydd taking on the rural affairs portfolio.

It also goes further than comments made last week by Defra secretary Emma Reynolds during an Efra Committee hearing that the UK government had “no view whether livestock numbers should increase or decrease”.

His comments are likely to reassure Welsh livestock farmers following years of debate over whether environmental policy could lead to reductions in animal numbers.

Rather than pursuing lower livestock numbers as a route to cutting emissions, Mr Gruffydd said ministers would focus on improving productivity, animal health and business resilience while working alongside the industry.

“Success will only come through partnership – partnership between government, industry bodies, processors, retailers, researchers and, most importantly, farmers,” he said.

“I’m committed to maintaining that partnership and listening carefully as we shape the future together.”

He said the Sustainable Farming Scheme would support investment in sustainable production, animal health, skills, benchmarking and targeted capital investment to help strengthen farm businesses while reducing emissions through greater productivity and efficiency.

HCC initiative

Earlier, HCC chairman Catherine Smith unveiled a £300,000 “Naturally Local. Look for the Logo” consumer campaign promoting PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef as part of the organisation’s new strategy to increase the volume and value of Welsh red meat sales.

She said HCC’s focus was on building “a competitive, profitable, efficient and sustainable red meat industry in Wales”, with further work planned to support retailers, sustainability and productivity across the sector.

Highlighting the opportunity presented by Wales’ new government, Ms Smith said HCC was “ready to work with the new Welsh government” to help strengthen the red meat supply chain.

“There is a plan, the need is clear, and the time is now,” she said.