Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick warns the government risks ‘decimating’ rural communities ahead of Spending Review

Welsh Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick, has warned the UK Government risks ‘decimating’ rural communities, amidst rumours the nature-friendly farming budget is set to be slashed in the upcoming Spending Review.

14.2% of the working population in Powys are employed in agriculture and 34.15 per cent of businesses in Powys were in the agricultural sector (the 4th highest in the UK).

However, many farmers across Wales are struggling after the economic mismanagement of the previous Conservative UK Government, including botched trade deals and a cost-of-living crisis alongside anti-farmer and anti-countryside policies from the Welsh Labour Government.

Family farms are also facing the impacts of IHT reforms, and for many small farms, the problems of transfer to Universal Credit.

The Liberal Democrats are now urging the government to protect our rural communities and the environment by ruling out cuts to the farming budget.

Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, David Chadwick said:

“Across Wales, but especially we are proud of our farming heritage. We are home to 1000s and 1000s of farms, from livestock to arable and everything in between.  

“Many farmers are barely making ends meet, working for half the minimum wage, yet they still tirelessly maintain our countryside, allowing us all to enjoy its beauty and food produced to the highest standards.

“Both our governments are treating our rural communities with gobsmacking contempt. If the government goes ahead with these cuts, it risks the future of farming in this country and with it, domestic food production and the restoration of nature.

“Labour’s utter failure to understand rural communities risks decimating them. At the spending review, these cuts cannot come to pass. The Welsh Liberal Democrats will continue to stand up for our farmers.”

ENDS