Russell George MS supports Wales' 'bold' farming manifesto
A Montgomeryshire MS has shared his support for a 'bold' farming manifesto that has been unveiled.
Russell George, MS for Montgomeryshire, has welcomed the launch of the National Farming Union (NFU) Cymru's election manifesto, Welsh Farming: Growing Forward.
The manifesto was revealed at the Senedd on Tuesday, June 10, as part of Welsh Farming Week.
The launch event, a key feature in NFU Cymru's celebration of Welsh food and farming, highlighted the central role agriculture plays in Welsh communities.
The manifesto, which outlines ambitious priorities for the upcoming Senedd election, calls for recognition of the importance of food and farming to every Welsh constituent.
It urges candidates and parties to commit to a farm-to-fork food strategy, to back policies that underpin food production, and to promote the sourcing of Welsh produce within the public sector.
Additional priorities identified in the document include combatting bovine TB, improving water quality, and securing a protected, multi-annual budget for Welsh farming.
After attending the event, Mr George said: "Farming is the backbone of our rural economy.
"I was pleased to attend the launch of NFU Cymru's new manifesto and hear first-hand the priorities of Welsh farmers.
"It's clear that a strong, sustainable food and farming sector is essential not just for rural Wales, but for the whole country.
"I fully support efforts to place food production at the heart of policy-making and to ensure farming communities receive the recognition and support they deserve.
"The industry is at breaking point, with farmers being asked to do more for less, with reduced support and increasing environmental demands.
"My view is that the UK Government's family farm tax will lead to the breakup of family farms.
"Many families will simply have to sell off parts of their farm, making the business less viable.
"Rural economies depend on the farming industry.
"The consequences of family farms dwindling away is that we will become more reliant on food supplied from outside of the UK.
"The Welsh Government also needs to do so much more to tackle the devastation that bovine TB causes.
"I believe that a holistic approach to defeating the disease is required; working in partnership with farmers and vets to eradicate the reservoir of infection within herds, eliminate inter-herd transmission and the targeted removal of infected wildlife, who themselves suffer a painful death due to TB."
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