A new NFU Cymru-commissioned survey has revealed that the vast majority of people in Wales support Welsh Government providing financial support to farmers to produce food.
The poll of over 1,000 adults in Wales, conducted by YouGov and launched ahead of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair on November 27 found that 82 per cent support the Welsh Government providing financial support to farmers to produce food.
Welsh farming
When taking into account Welsh Government's priorities, 72 per cent said that supporting Welsh farmers was a good use of public spending. The survey's findings showed that this support for public spending on farming was high across the electorate and regions of Wales
Public backing was particularly high in Cardiff and South Central region, a predominantly urban area with a large population, where support for food production (86 per cent) and funding for farming being seen as a good use of public spending (76 per cent) were higher than the all-Wales figures.
An NFU Cymru-commissioned independent consumer survey has revealed that the vast majority of people in Wales support Welsh Government providing financial support to farmers to produce food 🧑🌾🏴
— NFU Cymru 🚜 (@NFUCymru) November 26, 2023
See the results ➡️ https://t.co/C4X3DdGjnf@AbiReader pic.twitter.com/i7nI3ocffn
The data also showed that 67 per cent of people want UK food production to be as self-sufficient as possible and, of those who do, 70 per cent think Wales can play a leading role (20 per cent) or have a major role (50 per cent) to play in self-sufficiency.
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NFU Cymru president Aled Jones said: "Welsh Government's budget reprioritisation statement last month was a stark warning as to the deficit the government is facing in this financial year, as well as the ongoing challenge that Welsh Government will face in setting its future budgets across its portfolios in the coming years.
"In its frequent engagement with Welsh Government Cabinet Ministers and MSs, NFU Cymru is told that the union must demonstrate the value of farming not only to Government, but also to the taxpayer. I am, therefore, delighted that our recently-commissioned survey has showed the high levels of backing amongst the public for support for Welsh agriculture, and, in particular financially supporting farmers to produce food.
"The findings of this survey show that the benefits of Welsh farming - whether that is producing high quality food, supporting the livelihoods of rural communities, boosting the economy of Wales, enhancing the environment or managing our iconic landscapes - are recognised by a large proportion of the population, whether they're living in urban areas or in the Welsh countryside."
Farming Budget
Ahead of Welsh Government announcing its draft budget statement next month, the union said it was crucial that Government listened to the 'resounding voice' of the Welsh public in the survey.
"People across Wales want to see our farming sector supported to produce food alongside the other benefits they already deliver," Mr Jones added.
NFU Cymru said it recognised the significant financial pressures Welsh Government was facing but insists farming represents an 'exceptional return for public funding'.
Mr Jones said: "It is our firm belief, however, that a sector that continues to feed the nation, manages 80% of the land area in Wales, underpins an £8 billion food and farming sector and makes unparalleled contribution to the economic, environmental, social and cultural wellbeing of rural Wales - all for just 2% of the current overall Welsh Government spend."
