Following the protest last week, in which thousands of farmers protested in Cardiff Bay, today (6/3/24) farmers have placed 5,500 empty wellies outside the Senedd.
National Farmers Union (NFU) Cymru members have staged a symbolic display of 5,500 pairs of wellies on the steps of the Senedd to represent the jobs which are forecast to be lost as a result of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals.
Currently, the plan expects farmers to plant trees on 10% of their land and set aside another 10% for nature purposes.
Each of the 5,500 pairs of wellies outside the Senedd building, which have been collected from across the length and breadth of Wales, represent an agricultural job that is projected to be lost based on 100% take-up of the scheme, based on figures from the Welsh Government’s own impact assessment.
Commenting Montgomeryshire Senedd Member. Russell George, who went to speak to farmers at the event said:
"The Senedd steps have seen a number of protests and displays over the years, but I would argue that none have been as poignant and powerful as the display of 5,500 empty wellies.
Empty wellies representing the empty farms and empty communities that will be seen the length and breadth of rural Wales if the Welsh Labour Government’s proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals go ahead without some serious and wholesale changes.’’
Following last week protest, the Montgomeryshire MS has said that he believes that with a new First Minister, there will be an opportunity for the Labour Government to re-think their plans.
Mr George also spoke more broadly following last week’s protest, and said:
‘’Last week, we witnessed the largest protest ever seen outside of the Senedd. I was pleased to join and speak with some of those that attended. Thousands of farmers and those who care about rural Wales demonstrated and gave a strong message to the Welsh Labour Government that the industry is at breaking point.
The Welsh Government’s budget for the 2024-25 financial year was also passed in the Senedd this week, which imposed a cut of 13% to the rural affairs portfolio. The largest cut of any Welsh Government department.
I, alongside my Welsh Conservative colleagues voted against the Welsh Government’s budget. However, because of other opposition parties did not join us in voting against the budget, because of their agreements with the Welsh Labour Government, the budget passed.
Last week, my Welsh Conservatives colleagues and I brought forward a Senedd motion to remove the requirement for each farm to have 10% tree cover and scrap the current Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals and to re-engage with the farming sector to develop a new scheme that has the support of the farming community.
Whilst the motion was not successful, there now must be a duty on the new First Minister to consider the strong views from rural Wales.
The Welsh Government also needs to do so much more to tackle the devastation that bovine TB causes. I believe that a holistic approach to defeating the disease is required, working in partnership with farmers and vets to eradicate the reservoir of infection within herds, eliminate inter-herd transmission and the targeted removal of infected wildlife, who themselves suffer a painful death due to TB.
I have been pleased that the farming sector have the support of the public, many of whom are not directly linked to the industry. It is incumbent on both the farming sector and politicians like me who fully support the industry’s calls, to set out why we need to back our farmers, and what the consequences are if we don’t, not only for the industry, but for all of us.’’
