Quiz candidates on countryside
Quiz candidates on countryside
ALL general election candidates must be quizzed about keeping traditional family farms in business, says the Farmers Union of Wales.
The unions wish list – A Future for Farming – insists that as well as producing high quality food, such units provide positive benefits for the environment and whole rural economy.
"Instead of promoting the idea that big is beautiful, the new government could use the family farm as a template for the future direction of farming in this country," said FUW president, Bob Parry.
"We are at a crossroads. The industry has never faced such serious problems as it does now. We want more powers for the National Assembly, but until this happens many decisions will be made in Westminster, so we need to elect people who understand and care about farming."
Foot-and-mouth had extinguished the light some farmers were beginning to see at the end of a very long tunnel. Recovery now required positive actions by politicians who are committed to giving the industry a secure future.
Mr Parry said he was convinced that the epidemic had highlighted the way farmers supplied the environment and landscape that the public clamoured to visit. Much more money should be allocated to making schemes like Tir Gofal available to all farmers.
Among the unions demands are a retirement scheme separate from the enforced amalgamation of units and financial help for new entrants. It demands clear labelling of imported meat and an immediate cut in fuel taxes. *