Responding to warnings from the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rabi), that many farmers in Wales are increasingly struggling financially, Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary Paul Davies AM said:

“For many years, we have seen successive Welsh Governments fail to give farmers, and the agricultural community, the priority or support they need to flourish.

“Through failing to provide sufficient help in less favourable areas, to peddling unnecessary levels of bureaucracy, and demeaning farmers with untrue jibes about business acumen, Labour’s approach is failing.

“In this new political era, it is vital Labour Ministers work hand-in-hand with the industry to ensure any new-look support packages fit the bill, and our farming industry fulfils its massive potential.

“Nothing should be ruled out – including more accessible business development funding for hard-pressed farmers – to ensure ambitions can be realised, and farms have more opportunities, and space, to expand and succeed.”