Labour must put food self-sufficiency at heart of government policy say Welsh Tories

Welsh Conservatives have echoed the calls of NFU Cymru for food self-sufficiency to be at the heart of Welsh Government policy.

NFU Cymru President, John Davies, has urged the Labour Government to put food at the heart of policy decisions with latest figures showing a steady decline in our food self-sufficiency.

Defra figures for 2017 show that Britain produced 60 per cent of its own food – 30 years ago the figure stood at 71 per cent.

Commenting, Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary, Andrew RT Davies AM said:

“Food security is too important an issue to be side-lined and the steady decline in the production of our own food is a grave concern. 

“The failure to secure our long-term food security will cost future generations dearly and that’s why food self-sufficiency should be prioritised and put at the heart of Welsh Labour Government policy making. 

“With climate change and more extreme weather conditions to become more frequent across Wales, it’s imperative that we plan and invest in the production of our food if we want to avoid a deserted countryside and empty shopping shelves.

“Our farmers produce world-class food but the challenges down the line are there for all to see – warm words are no longer enough and the Welsh Government must make this a priority.”