Mixed Arable and Livestock Farming

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 3:05 pm on 15 September 2021.

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Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 3:05, 15 September 2021

I thank the Minister for that answer, and ‘active farmers’ are key to that answer. Cwm Risca farm, which I know very well—I’ve visited them many times, most recently in the last couple of weeks—is a classic, small to medium-scale family-run enterprise. It’s diversified. It’s award winning as well. It’s mixed arable and livestock. It does the right thing for its fields, it does the right thing for the community, for the environment—it’s the type of farming that supports the local community and culture as well. It’s the type of farming we should be supporting in Wales, and it’s the opposite of the absentee-landlord, speculator-driven agri-industrial type of farming we see elsewhere.

So, in these uncertain times, Minister, with changes in funding, waiting for funding from the UK Government to be confirmed post Brexit as well, our biodiversity targets and climate change targets are stretching as well, how can we give the assurance that this type of farming is the type of farming we will see for the long term, for sustainable food, a sustainable environment and sustainable communities in Wales? And would she at some time come and visit Cwm Risca, because I know the welcome would be good, the discussion great, and the cake and tea good as well?