Welsh Liberal Democrats: The strong voice for farmers in the Assembly

The Welsh Liberal Democrats launched their manifesto for farmers on the day that Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and Wyn Williams, Montgomeryshire Candidate and farmer, visited Sennybridge livestock market.

In their Manifesto for Farming, the Welsh Liberal Democrats promise to:

· provide sustainable finances for farmers

· reduce the burden on farmers

· help create a diverse and rural economy

Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said:

“Welsh agriculture has faced challenges and often turbulent times over the last decade, with outbreaks of devastating diseases, low farm gate prices, increasing input costs and never-ending forms to fill in. The farming industry is difficult as it is and farmers don’t want to be chained to their desk doing admin work for a Labour-Plaid government.

“I know that farmers want to be out on the field, producing food to meet a growing demand and develop ideas to protect and enhance our environment. Plaid Cymru in government have seriously let down farmers right across Wales with the bungled Glastir agri-environmental scheme.

“Welsh farmers and farming are an integral part of the Welsh economy and we want to ensure that they continue to grow which will benefit the rural economy and the Welsh economy as a whole."

Wyn Williams, Montgomeryshire Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Candidate and farmer said:

“I know how difficult it has been for farmers over the past decade and the Welsh Liberal Democrats want to make it better for farmers to do what they love and encourage young entrants to farming.

“The Tories won’t help farmers and rural Wales as they have published their plans to cut the rural affairs budget by an extra 18%. This will have a dangerously detrimental effect on farming and the industry and we want to protect it as much as we can.”