3. Statement by the Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales, and Trefnydd: Future Farming Policy and the Sustainable Farming Scheme

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:05 pm on 21 September 2021.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 3:05, 21 September 2021

Huw Irranca-Davies keeps floating this cake and tea past me every week. Yes, I'd certainly be very happy to come and visit. I did some fantastic farm visits over the summer and, as you say, everybody is really keen to show off the innovative work they're doing in relation to, particularly, reversing the biodiversity decline as well as mitigation against the climate and nature emergencies. 

It is an ongoing conversation. We can't do it on our own—the Government can't do it on its own; no-one can do it on their own. it's really important, as we look at these agricultural reforms, which are necessary. You have to look for opportunities from leaving the European Union, and maybe this is the one—to have that bespoke Welsh agricultural policy—because farmers themselves will tell you that the common agricultural policy has not really made them as competitive as they would want to be. So, it is an opportunity.

I'd be very pleased to take your suggestions on board. I'm happy to listen to anybody's suggestions. And I think that one-stop shop, we've already got it with Farming Connect, and that was one of the reasons I was very keen to put in some significant funding again today—£7 million—so that we can extend that. English farmers look on Farming Connect with envy, and I know our Welsh farmers and foresters absolutely appreciate the support that Farming Connect offers. So, I think we do have that, and farmers can go there if they do need advice around that. 

I was very pleased to launch the tree strategy at John's Pentre farm last Thursday and plant a very beautiful tree. And I understand every Member of the Senedd is going to be offered a tree to plant in their constituency, so—it's a bit of a plug—I do hope Members take up the opportunity to get their wellies out and their spades and go and plant a tree in their own constituency.