Samuel Kurtz, Conservative candidate for Ceredigion Preseli Pembrokeshire, has criticised Labour's agricultural policies following a farm hustings jointly hosted by the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), NFU Cymru and Ceredigion Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFC) in Aberaeron on Tuesday 14 April.
The event brought together farmers from across the region, many of whom voiced serious concerns about rising costs, increasing regulation and the uncertainty created by both Welsh and UK government policy.
Mr Kurtz said the strength of feeling in the room reflected growing frustration within the farming community.
He said:
“The hustings made one thing very clear: farmers feel let down, ignored and under increasing pressure from Labour in Cardiff Bay and in Westminster.
“As the Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, I have been warning for some time that the direction of travel is wrong. Farmers are being asked to do more and more with less and less support.
“Rising costs, burdensome regulation and uncertainty over future funding are placing real strain on farm businesses and family livelihoods.”
He warned that current policies risk undermining food production and damaging rural economies.
Mr Kurtz also highlighted concerns about the long-term impact on food security, with farmers questioning whether Wales is doing enough to support domestic production.
He added:
“Our farmers are the backbone of rural Wales. They produce our food, support local jobs and care for our countryside.
“But right now, too many feel that decisions by Labour who have been propped up by Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats, are being imposed on them rather than made with them.
“That has to change.”
Mr Kurtz said that he and Paul Davies are committed to standing up for farmers and advocating a different approach.
He outlined that the Welsh Conservatives’ plan includes:
- Investing an additional £100 million in the agriculture budget over the next Senedd term
- Placing food security and productivity at the heart of the Sustainable Farming Scheme
- Taking decisive action to eradicate bovine TB in both livestock and wildlife
- Increasing the proportion of Welsh food and drink served in schools and hospitals
- Moving away from an all-Wales NVZ “farming by calendar” policy towards a more targeted, catchment-based approach
- Continuing to campaign against the Family Farm Tax
He added:
“We need a government that backs farmers, not one that creates barriers and uncertainty.
“We will continue to fight for a better deal for rural Wales and ensure that farmers’ voices are heard loud and clear.”
The event formed part of ongoing engagement with the agricultural sector, with Mr Kurtz pledging to continue working closely with farmers and industry representatives throughout the campaign.
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