10. Short Debate: Wales Young Farmers Clubs: Developing conscientious young people in rural Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:25 pm on 20 October 2021.

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Photo of Alun Davies Alun Davies Labour 6:25, 20 October 2021

I'd like to congratulate the Member for Pembrokeshire for this—. Well, not the whole of Pembrokeshire; I can see Paul Davies bridling at me.

If it was possible to bottle the YFC, I think we'd have something you could sell and distribute worldwide. One of the great pleasures of life has been to work with young people preparing for a county rally, or watching some of the public speaking competitions, and I wonder how many marks we would have got this afternoon. And then, looking also at things like the drama festivals taking place. It's a fantastic organisation that does a fantastic job, and alongside the Urdd, I think we're blessed in Wales. We have two organisations that contribute so much to developing young people and to providing them with a fantastic start in life. What I would like to see is how we can continue to work with the YFC to ensure that not just the future of farming is safe, that the future of rural communities is safe, but that the future of this country is safe as well, and I think we all owe a great debt of thanks to the YFC for the work they do, day in, day out, and also for all the fun that they've been able to generate for many of us over too many years. Thank you.