The Welsh Conservatives have warned that dairy and beef farmers need support because of falling returns and increased costs for fuel and fertilisers, urging the Welsh Government to provide urgent support to safeguard the future of family farms.
Responding to reports from the Farmers’ Union of Wales highlighting a “perfect storm” of rising input costs, global instability and persistently low milk prices, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Farming and the Environment, Andrew RT Davies MS said the situation exposes the failure to prioritise Welsh agriculture. Welsh farmers are being hit by factors entirely beyond their control, with fertiliser prices rising by as much as 53% and fuel costs doubling in recent months, while milk prices continue to fall below the cost of production for many producers.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Farming and the Environment, Andrew RT Davies MS said:
“With the ongoing pressures across the world Welsh farmers are being squeezed from every direction.
“From volatile global energy markets to inadequate farmgate returns, farmers are being asked to do more with less and many simply cannot absorb these pressures any longer. Many family-run dairy and beef farms are now fighting simply to survive.
“The Welsh Government must step up, back our producers properly and recognise that food security begins with supporting Welsh agriculture at home. The Welsh Conservatives are committed to fighting for the farming support budget to be increased by £100 million over the Senedd term and making food security a national mission”
ENDS
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