Darren Millar, MS for Clwyd West and Welsh Conservative Leader, held a meeting with North Wales farmers last week to discuss the challenges they are currently facing. 
 
During the meeting, local farmers expressed concerns over the mounting pressures facing the agricultural sector, including the ongoing impacts of bovine TB and the emerging threat of bluetongue.
 
Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Millar said:  “I greatly value and appreciate our agricultural sector and rural communities here in North Wales. They are the backbone of rural Wales – producing our food, caring for the land, and sustaining local communities.
 
“In recent years, our farmers have faced many challenges, and I welcomed the opportunity to meet with local farmers to hear of their personal experiences.
 
“These challenges include the detrimental impact of Labour’s damaging Sustainable Farming Scheme, changes to Inheritance Tax, the lack of action to tackle Bovine TB in wildlife, and, more recently, concerns over the spread of Bluetongue.”
 
Farmers at the meeting also spoke of the uncertainty surrounding future Welsh Government policy and the need for clearer, more practical support to help secure the future of Welsh farming.
 
He added: "It’s vital the Welsh Government listens to farmers and acts decisively.
 
“I will continue to raise these issues in the Senedd and push for policies that recognise the value of Welsh farming and protect its future.”