First minister defends farm support remarks after backlash

Wales’ first minister, Eluned Morgan, has moved to defend her recent remarks in the Senedd which sparked a fierce backlash from the farming industry – insisting she recognises the “huge value” of agriculture despite its modest GDP contribution.

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Show on Monday, Ms Morgan addressed criticism of her remarks made on 8 July, when she stated that Welsh farmers receive “over £250m of support each year” – which she described as “a significant amount for a sector that contributes less than 1% to the country’s GDP”.

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Farmers and union leaders reacted angrily, accusing the Welsh government of undervaluing the broader contribution of agriculture to rural jobs, food security and the Welsh economy.

But in an interview with Farmers Weekly, Ms Morgan stood by the accuracy of her figures while stressing the “wider benefits” of farming that could not be measured in GDP alone.

“The 1% figure for agriculture is factually correct,” she said. “But every pound spent by government has a ninefold impact on the rural economy – and that doesn’t even account for the environmental, cultural and linguistic value the sector brings to Wales. That’s why we’re giving it this huge amount of money.”

Ms Morgan also doubled down on her government’s flagship Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), saying it provided long-term support in the face of livestock declines and rising costs.

“We’ve spent hundreds of hours listening and adapting,” she said. “We think we’ve come up with something that works for farmers and for the nation.”

Asked if she had done enough to raise farmer concerns over the UK government’s proposed farm inheritance tax from April 2026, Ms Morgan said the Welsh government had facilitated talks between farming unions and the Treasury, but stressed the policy was led by Westminster.

Bovine TB rise ‘concerning’

On the resurgence of bovine TB, which has seen a 27% rise in cattle slaughtered in Wales over the past year, Ms Morgan said her government remained committed to its 2041 eradication target, but acknowledged the challenge.

“It is concerning,” she said. “That’s why we’ve convened a group of experts, and we’ll be guided by them.”

Asked about whether her party would continue to rule out a badger cull, Ms Morgan claimed “there hasn’t been an appetite for culling in Wales”. But she added that the experts “will lead on this”.

After 26 years in power, Welsh Labour faces a serious test as it seeks to retain control in the Welsh Assembly elections, scheduled for May 2026.

Reform UK threat

Pressed on the rising popularity of Reform UK among disillusioned rural voters, Ms Morgan warned: “Nigel Farage suckered you once with Brexit. Be careful about promises made and broken again.”

Mr Farage was expected to make a visit to the Royal Welsh Show today (Tuesday 22 July).