Welsh Labour launches manifesto for Senedd elections

Welsh Labour has set out its plans for agriculture ahead of the upcoming Senedd election on 7 May, placing a strong emphasis on environmental targets alongside continued support for agriculture.

The party, which has led or been part of every Welsh government since devolution began in 1999, launched its manifesto on Monday (30 March), five weeks before voters head to the polls.

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In the document, titled A new chapter for Wales. Fairness you feel, Welsh Labour commits to meeting current and future carbon budgets and protecting 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.

“We will protect Wales’s natural beauty by cleaning rivers and seas, restoring nature, and expanding our National Forest,” said first minister Eluned Morgan, who, polling suggests, is likely to lose her seat in the upcoming election.

Focus on nature

It also proposes legally binding targets for nature restoration.

“While other parties in Wales and governments around the world walk away from their climate and nature responsibilities, we have an ambitious and credible plan to restore nature and reach net zero,” the manifesto states.

The party has also committed to further develop the Sustainable Farming Scheme, which aims to support food production while helping farms respond to climate and biodiversity pressures.

Additional support is promised to help farmers adapt to these challenges.

Agricultural pollution

Measures to reduce agricultural pollution are also included, alongside the creation of a new environmental governance body and a dedicated fund to tackle polluters.

Proposals such as reintroducing species like beavers and expanding tree planting through the National Forest could also have implications for land management.

Other environmental commitments include establishing a new water regulator and progressing a new National Park in North Wales.

The party also confirmed it would maintain its ban on the mass culling of badgers, support a UK-wide ban on trail hunting, and introduce tighter controls on gamebird shooting.

Opposition response

Opposition party Plaid Cymru, which kicked off its election campaign on Monday and is set to launch its manifesto on 9 April, widely criticised the manifesto and said the “limited proposals” that Labour makes are “strikingly thin”.

“Labour’s manifesto reaffirms the fact that they have never appreciated the vital role that Welsh agriculture plays in sustaining rural communities and in driving the wider economy.

“There is no fresh thinking or support,” a spokesperson said. 

Plaid Cymru is currently tipped to win the election in Wales, with polling suggesting that it will be the largest party and, alongside the Greens, could command a majority in the Senedd.

Nature Friendly Farming Network Cymru sustainable farming officer Ifan Davies added: “While there is a lot to welcome in Welsh Labour’s manifesto, its promise to continue developing the SFS is worryingly vague, particularly given the amount of time and money already invested in it without adequately futureproofing Wales’ agricultural sector.

“With 90% of the country’s land used for farming, it is concerning that the sector receives so little attention in the manifesto.”