CLA Cymru meets with minister to discuss policy detail

The Minister had previously committed to meeting with CLA Cymru formally every six months and this was the first such meeting. It proved extremely positive from start to finish. The atmosphere was constructive and open, allowing both sides to explore key issues in depth. Although there is a commitment to meet formally every six months, CLA Cymru also meets with the Minister at various events and gatherings throughout the year. In fact, since the new Welsh Government was elected in May this year, CLA Cymru has met with the Minister seven times. This frequency serves as a positive marker for how he sees the importance of CLA Cymru and rural Wales as a whole.

During this latest meeting, a wide range of topics were discussed. One central theme was rural proofing of Welsh Government policies going forward. CLA Cymru stressed the vital need for every new policy to be examined through a rural lens so that decisions taken in Cardiff genuinely support the distinctive needs of countryside communities, businesses and landscapes rather than creating unintended barriers. The discussion also turned to the prospect of any new economic agency, such as a new version of the Welsh Development Agency. CLA Cymru made clear that rural Wales' voice must form an integral part of its formation and roll out. Without that representation from the outset, there is a real risk that the economic potential of the countryside could be overlooked, and opportunities for sustainable growth missed.

The current situation around blue tongue in Wales was another important subject. The team outlined the practical concerns facing livestock keepers and the wider rural economy, emphasising the value of clear communication, timely support and collaborative working between government and the sector to manage the disease effectively and protect animal health. Equally prominent was the Sustainable Farming Scheme and the ways in which the system could be improved. CLA Cymru shared practical insights drawn from members across Wales, highlighting areas where greater flexibility, clearer guidance and stronger recognition of the full range of land management practices would help farmers and land managers deliver both environmental and economic benefits more effectively.

Overall, the discussions were very positive. The Minister listened carefully, engaged constructively and demonstrated a genuine appreciation of the challenges and opportunities facing rural Wales. He also welcomed the opportunity to co-chair a Fringe meeting with CLA Cymru at the Plaid Cymru conference in North Wales.

This first formal six-monthly meeting has reinforced the strong working relationship that CLA Cymru continues to build with the Minister and his team. It underlines the value of consistent, open engagement and the willingness on both sides to address the issues that matter most to rural businesses and communities.