The Welsh Conservatives have welcomed an announcement from the Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch on her plans to save the agricultural industry.
During the announcement, the Leader of the Opposition pledged that the Conservatives would scrap the Family Farm Tax, cut the red tape and bureaucracy that is burdening farmers, while also committing to lower energy bills and tackling rural crime.
Kemi Badenoch said to the crowd at the press conference that the Conservatives understand what farmers are going through and will make sure their voices are heard.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Samuel Kurtz MS, said:
“Labour in both Westminster and Cardiff Bay has made it clear they do not understand rural life but today’s announcement reiterates that the Conservatives are the only party who are standing with our farming communities.
“Farmers are facing immense pressures from rising costs, uncertain markets and changes to agricultural policy. Labour’s family farm tax, their inability to deal with rural crime, high energy costs and unnecessary red tape could all be the final straw for many.
“The Welsh Conservatives stand by the pledges from Kemi Badenoch and along with our own plan for agriculture in Wales we would see the industry thrive. Farming in Wales needs a friend and that friend is the Welsh Conservatives.”
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References:
- Kemi Badenoch’s announcement can be viewed here.
- The Welsh Conservatives’ Agriculture plan:
- Boost the farming budget by £100m.
- Axe the family farm tax.
- Replace the SFS with a food security first scheme.
- Tackle TB in livestock and wildlife.
- Scrap the Wales-wide NVZ end ‘farming by calendar’ and replace with a targeted catchment approach.
- Amend public procurement rules to promote Welsh food and drink.