Ahead of a second Senedd debate on the Welsh Government’s all-Wales NVZ proposal today, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs and Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has written to the Minister to implore her to withdraw the regulations, for fear of exacerbating poor mental health throughout the industry.  

Commenting on her urgent letter, Janet said:  

“Ahead of the second Senedd debate on the NVZ regulations today, I’ve written to the Minister to implore her to urgently withdraw the Regulations, and provide the Senedd with a copy of any Mental Wellbeing Impact Assessment that has been undertaken in relation to the legislation. 

“Approximately 88% of young farmers now rate poor mental health as the biggest hidden problem faced by farmers today. This is why the increasing number of calls and correspondence from farmers and their families about the impact of these regulations is so incredibly concerning.  

“I know that the Minister and I do not see eye to eye on this, and a great number of many other matters. But, in my heart of hearts, I genuinely believe that she was not deliberately setting out to cause such huge distress to our rural communities nor the potential collapse of farms across Wales. 

Little over two weeks ago, the industry was marking the Farm Safety Foundation’s 4th annual Mind Your Head week. At the time, Mrs Finch-Saunders urged the Minister to undertake an urgent review of current signposting methods for mental health support. Yesterday, it was announced that NFU Cymru are exploring mounting a legal challenge over the regulations.  

Underscoring the concern of farmers, Janet added:  

“Many farmers are worried about the long term viability of their businesses and family homes. Tenant farmers on local authority holdings believe themselves unlikely to secure council support for additional expenditure. Likewise, there are many farmers without the necessary reserves for investment, even if there was good grant support.  

“With Natural Resources Wales warning that the proposed new water rules will have the perverse outcome of making water quality worse, and as the agricultural sector is trying its best to help tackle the serious mental health problem in rural Wales, these draconian measures must be withdrawn.” 

ENDS 

Notes to Editors:  

• A copy of Janet’s letter to Lesley Griffiths MS/AS can be found attached. 

Photo: Spencer Pugh/Unsplash