Local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz helped lead the largest protest in the history of the Senedd, as thousands of farmers and those from rural Wales descended on Cardiff Bay.
As unrest has grown in farming circles following the publication of the Welsh Labour Government’s consultation on the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), focus has also been drawn on the failing Bovine TB eradication strategy and the all-Wales Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZs).
These three policies, which are directly the responsibility of the Welsh Labour Government, have caused untold stress, frustration and anger in rural Wales, as hundreds from West Wales made the journey in protest.
A Welsh Labour Government commissioned economic assessment showed that the SFS could see 5,500 jobs lost in rural Wales, with an economic hit of over £199 million.
Samuel Kurtz, the Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, and Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, who has long stood against the Welsh Labour Government’s failures, spoke to the protestors from the steps of the Senedd.
Speaking to the protest, Samuel stressed the importance of the rural community, and how the current policies risk both the current and future generations who live in rural Wales.
Following the protest, Samuel added:
“Speaking at the protest outside the Senedd was one of the proudest moments of my life, both as a politician and as a farmer’s son. But it is a sorry state that the Welsh Labour Government have let it get this far.
“The momentum is with the industry now and whomever becomes Wales’ next First Minister, and next Rural Affairs Minister, must work hard on the SFS, NVZs, and Bovine Tb, to repair a broken relationship between government and the agricultural sector.
“Can I thank all those who attended the protest for the respect and order that they showed. It was the largest of its kind and if the message hasn’t got through to the Welsh Government now, I’m not sure it ever will.”
