5. Statement by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs: Future domestic Rural Development Programme

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:43 pm on 23 February 2021.

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Photo of Llyr Gruffydd Llyr Gruffydd Plaid Cymru 4:43, 23 February 2021

You say in your statement that

'we need to keep Welsh farmers on the land'—

I couldn't agree more with that, of course—

'by further strengthening their reputation for high animal welfare and environmental standards, supporting the whole supply chain to increase the value of the goods they produce.'

Well, of course, one thing that has to be central to that is growing our processing capacity here in Wales. We know that the majority of our milk leaves Wales to be processed. We know, having lost abattoirs over recent years, that too much of our meat, as well, is leaving Wales. We're still an extracted economy, even when it comes to food, one of the cornerstones of our economy here in Wales, and the RDP has a central role in reversing that trend and retaining more of the value in the associated jobs from the food sector within the Welsh economy. It'll shorten supply chains and cut food miles as well. So, can you just confirm to me that you agree that this has to be a central focus of any new rural development programme moving forward?