During a recent meeting of the NFU Cymru Anglesey county branch, members took the opportunity to meet up with Rhun ap Iorwerth MS to discuss some of the key matters affecting both the industry and the wider constituency.

With the launching of a consultation on Welsh Government’s white paper for agriculture, members took the opportunity to impress on the MS the importance of agriculture to the economy of Anglesey.  Once more they emphasised the need for due consideration to be given to any proposed all-Wales NVZ regulations and how any measures should be proportionate and targeted.  There was a fear that the proposed legislation put forward by Welsh Government could be detrimental to the agricultural industry without achieving the intended goal of improved water quality.

During the meeting, Brian Bown was re-elected for a 12-month period to serve as County Chairman with Wyn Williams re-elected as County Vice Chairman.

Members were also updated on the key policy issues affecting the agricultural industry that NFU Cymru are lobbying on.

Brian Bown said: “We wanted to ensure that our MS was clear on the importance of the agricultural industry to the island. The farmers here have a strong reputation as producers of food of the highest quality and we need to protect that productive ability.

“We need to ensure that the white paper includes measures to secure the continued supply of safe, high quality, traceable food for all in society; measures that target support at the active farmer and the need for a proportionate and evidence-based regulatory regime that ensures Welsh farming can remain competitive with farmers across the UK, the EU and globally.”