THE WELSH GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO ENSURE WE “DO NOT SEE A BLANKET TREE PLANTING APPROACH”, SAYS MS JANET FINCH-SAUNDERS

·       The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) earlier this week hosted MS Janet Finch-Saunders for a farm tour of NFFN member Guto Davies

·       The farm’s 245ha uses cattle and sheep for conservation grazing on property that includes Special Protection Areas and Areas of Conservation

·       Peatland restoration, cattle grazing and tree planting was a key focus during the visit

Aberconwy MS and Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Janet Finch-Saunders, recently visited the livestock farm of NFFN member Guto Davies to see in action how cattle and sheep can be excellent conservation grazers, helping to maintain and enhance valuable habitats and species.

Hafod Las farm in Ysbyty Ifan is a 245-hectare upland farm within the National Trust’s Ysbyty Estate. Cattle grazing in particular has helped enhance the farm’s ffridd and mountain land, keeping the dominant purple moor grass in check which allows heather, wildflowers and sedges to establish. Curlews, a priority bird species, also nest on these cattle grazed open hills.  Nearly half the farm is located within the Migneint-Arenig-Dduallt Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Area. Over the last few years, Guto has blocked the vast network of mand-made ditches on the farm’s peatland, helping to sequester carbon, hold back flood water and improve water quality.

Commenting on the site visit, Janet Finch-Saunders MS said: “I have had the pleasure of knowing Guto Davies for some time, and I can assure you that his commitment to agriculture and the excellent benefits it brings to the local community and environment does not cease to impress me.”

“Like farmers across Aberconwy and Wales, Guto is farming sustainably, but we need to ensure that the Welsh Government continues to support the sector to do so.”

Rhys Evans, NFFN Sustainable Farming Lead for Wales, explained to the MS why nature-friendly farming needs to be high on the policy agenda if we are to restore our natural environment and mitigate climate change.

Rhys said: “Being able to demonstrate the value of nature-friendly farming really shows just how powerful on-farm action can be in reversing nature loss at the same time as producing plentiful healthy food. Farmers like Guto across Wales need the Welsh Government’s support to be able to keep farming in ways that can protect our environment and sustain thriving rural communities. We hope our farm visit was constructive in demonstrating where support is really needed.”

Janet Finch-Saunders MS said: “The Welsh Government needs to ensure that it pursues policy and legislation which will not result in a further decline in suckler cow herds in Wales and, as a consequence, the loss of a vital way through which biodiversity and important habitats are being managed.”

“The Welsh Government needs to start hitting tree planting targets, but through cooperation with Natural Resources Wales to ensure that we do not see a blanket tree planting approach on diversity-rich land which could have a detrimental impact on communities and our planet.”

“As the Shadow Minister for Climate Change, I will continue to work to try and ensure that real active farmers are supported and their aspiration of achieving net-zero by 2040 reached. And we the public need to use the power of our pounds to back the environment and Welsh farmers by buying Welsh produce.”

 If you want to learn more about farming with nature in Wales or to become a free member of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, contact Rhys on rhys.evans@nffn.org.uk