FUWs worst fears on DEFRAs vision for agriculture confirmed

The Farmers' Union of Wales today warned that Defra's "Vision for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)" would decimate Wales's rural communities.

The stark warning follows publication of a joint report - by Queen's University, Belfast; the Northern Ireland Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI); and the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) of University of Missouri - on the impact of changes to the European CAP proposed by Defra and the UK Treasury in 2005.

The work confirms the union's worst fears and predicts massive falls in livestock numbers and commodity prices.

FUW president Gareth Vaughan said: "The FUW has raised our concerns regarding the impact of Defra's proposals with Ministers, politicians, and civil servants, at every opportunity since 2005, and this work now confirms exactly what we have been saying.

"The proposals, if allowed to go ahead, will rip the heart and soul out of Wales's rural communities and completely destroy what little food security we retain.

"The fall in livestock numbers would have serious consequences for Wales's environment, while the drop in income for farms and food businesses would close down many businesses and cost thousands their jobs."

The report predicts that Defra's plans would result in a 191 per cent increase in beef imports, leading to a 29% fall in Welsh suckler cow numbers, whilst Welsh beef production could drop by 11%. Welsh ewe numbers are also set to decrease by 19%, and a 16% decline in finished lamb production is estimated.

Declining livestock numbers is also coupled with a decline in livestock prices. Hardest hit will be beef producers, with a staggering estimated drop in beef prices of 25%.

Last week the FUW, in evidence to the Welsh Assembly's rural development sub committee, labelled Defra's document as "a vision for the destruction of UK agriculture".

During last week's Labour Party conference, Defra Minister Hilary Benn emphasised the UK Government's concerns regarding food security.

He said: "Our farmers and farmers around the world will have another two to three billion mouths to feed in two generation's time.

"Our farmers - at the heart of our rural communities - are ready for the challenge. And we should support them in the great job they do."

Responding to Mr Benn's comments, Mr Vaughan said: "If this is really the case, then the government must stand by their words and dissociate itself from the 2005 vision document and policies that would completely undermine Europe's food security and be apocalyptic for our rural communities."