Andrew RT Davies has welcomed the Cabinet Secretary’s ‘U-turn’ on the importance of ‘active farming’ in post-Brexit support for the agricultural industry in Wales.

In response to a question from the Welsh Conservatives’ Janet Finch-Saunders, Labour’s Lesley Griffiths told the National Assembly that ‘active farming is really important, and active farming will be absolutely at the heart of our new land management scheme.’

Farming unions and the industry at large had expressed grave concerns during the Welsh Government’s recent consultation – ‘Brexit and Our Land’ – that the active farmer status was at that threat.

Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Environment and Rural Affairs secretary, Andrew RT Davies AM, said:

“This is a welcome U-turn from Labour’s Cabinet Secretary.

“The threat to the ‘active farmer’ rule has been of particular concern to rural communities and would have put jobs in the farming industry at severe risk.

“The potential shifting of money from hardworking farmers to big corporate bodies such as Tata Steel and organisations like Cardiff Council for quirky projects such as green-top roundabouts would do little to nothing to support jobs, the environment or the production of quality food for our nation.

“Far greater clarification was required on the government’s proposed ‘land manager’ status and I’m pleased to see that the Welsh Government has seen the error in its ways and committed to ensure that ‘active farming’ will be at the heart of the new post-Brexit scheme.”

Ends/

Notes to editors:

The full transcript of the exchange between Janet Finch-Saunders AM and Lesley Griffiths can be accessed here: http://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/5362#C133301