NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: "I'd like to offer my congratulations to Huw Irranca-Davies MS on his appointment as Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs.
"The new Cabinet Secretary brings a wealth of experience to the portfolio, having previously presided as Defra Parliamentary Under Secretary and he was subsequently a Shadow Defra Minister. In his role as a Member of the Senedd, he has engaged regularly with NFU Cymru and our members. Indeed, we engaged with him earlier this week when he attended our Sustainable Farming Scheme drop-in session at the Senedd.
He seems to be hitting the ground running. Past experience at DEFRA and asking all the right questions at Select Committee today, eager to make SFS work for farmers with some flexibility. @NFUCymru also need to show willing
— Sarah Shuffell 🐑🐑🐏 🏴 (@SarahShuffell) March 21, 2024
READ NOW: Next First Minister for Wales announces as farmers await SFS outcome
"We are requesting an early meeting with the Cabinet Secretary to talk through the very pressing challenges the sector faces and the ongoing unrest in the industry. One of the top policy priorities will be for the Cabinet Secretary to heed the union's call for a thorough overhaul of the Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals.
He was an effective Defra minister in England. There's no reason he shouldnt be the same in Wales.
— Christopher Price (@RareBreedChris) March 21, 2024
"We will also be asking the Cabinet Secretary to recognise the emotional and financial impact of current Welsh Government bovine TB policy. In addition to this, NFU Cymru will impress upon the Cabinet Secretary the need to review the unworkable water quality regulations that Welsh farmers are subject to.
"NFU Cymru has a vision for Welsh farmers to be world-leaders in the production of climate friendly food and we look forward to working with the new Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs to help Welsh farming realise its ambitions."
Industry comments
Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs Samuel Kurtz said: "The burning issues in his in-tray will be the Sustainable Farming Scheme, bovine TB, NVZ regulations and the currently broken relationship between rural Wales and the Welsh Government. These must be an absolute priority for the new Cabinet Secretary.
"While the new Cabinet Secretary gets his feet under the table, I'll continue to stand up for Welsh farmers, our countryside and our rural communities against Labour's poor record here in Wales."
We will have to wait and see what Huw Irranca-Davies brings, but very glad that Lesley Griffiths has been moved on from the Rural Affairs portfolio. When I met her last year I was very disappointed in her tone and choice of words when discussing Agri matters.
— Dylan Jones (@DylanBeefy) March 21, 2024
Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "Today must also be a turning point in the government's approach to scrutiny. Ministers who are willing to open themselves up to critical challenge and the ideas of others will ensure better government for the people of Wales."
