Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Farming in Wales and the UK

05 March 2024 · 5 other contributors · 5,285 words

Opened by Jonathan Edwards PC Carmarthen East and Dinefwr

Responding minister: Fay Jones

Agriculture & Rural AffairsMental Health

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Jonathan Edwards raised concerns about farming in wales and the uk in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Farmers in rural Wales face severe economic challenges and mental health issues due to rising input costs and policy pressures.
  • A new sustainable farming scheme proposed by the Welsh Government is expected to lead to significant job losses and reduce farm incomes by 199 million.
  • The Minister acknowledged the scheme's unworkability due to heavy online training and data submission requirements, suggesting it will cost 5,500 farm jobs.

Key requests to Government

The government must reconsider the Sustainable Farming Scheme, aiming for a universal baseline payment that provides stability for farmers. They should also ensure protection for events like the Royal Welsh Show and address issues such as bovine TB policy and nitrate pollution with more sympathetic approaches.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Jonathan Edwards PC Carmarthen East and Dinefwr

Farmers in rural Wales are experiencing unprecedented pressures, with feelings running at fever pitch due to economic challenges, mental health issues, and policy decisions perceived as hostile. Last week's mass protest in Cardiff was testament to the strength of these concerns. Inflationary pressures have led to skyrocketing input costs for farmers, such as a constituent's fertiliser costs doubling within 12 months, compelling drastic production cuts. Mental health among farmers is critically poor, with over one-third experiencing clinical depression and nearly half struggling with anxiety. The new sustainable farming scheme proposed by the Welsh Government could lead to job losses double those expected in Port Talbot's steel industry and a £199 million reduction in farm incomes.

Other contributors (5)
  • Bill Wiggin Con North Herefordshire

    Warned that if a Labour Government were to take office, Welsh farmers' issues would affect UK-wide farming due to the current Labour-led Welsh Assembly's handling of the situation.

  • Daniel Poulter

    Congratulated Jonathan Edwards on securing the debate and proposed public sector procurement minimums for local food from farmers in hospitals and schools.

  • Hywel Williams PC Arfon

    Emphasised the easier accessibility to Dublin compared to Welsh farming issues. Acknowledged concerns over the impact of agricultural policies on farmers in Wales, highlighting that Plaid Cymru has been outmanoeuvred by Labour in the partnership agreement and urging for action beyond reviews. Informed the Minister about meetings with Australian and New Zealand ambassadors who were pleased with their trade deal but confused about the UK's benefits from it.

  • Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

    Asked why there were no Scottish National party Members present and expressed concern over the lack of forward planning regarding environmental and agricultural needs.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Complimented Jonathan Edwards for highlighting issues faced by farmers across the UK and suggested support to attract new talent into agriculture.

Government Response

Fay Jones

The Minister thanked contributors and praised farmers' work in producing food and stewarding the environment. She addressed concerns about the sustainable farming scheme, noting it is unworkable due to excessive online training requirements and data submission demands. She criticized Plaid Cymru's support for Welsh Labour, urging them to vote against the budget to improve the scheme or withdraw from their agreement with Labour. The Minister mentioned that the scheme will cost 5,500 jobs on farms according to the Welsh Government's own analysis.

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