Wednesday 4 July 2012

Alun Davies AM doest't talk to Farming Unions.



The North Wales chronicle reports the "A STORM is brewing over how millions of pounds of European funding will be spend on Anglesey."

Plaid Cymru dubbed the Labour party “clueless” for excluding the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) from the Rural Development Plan Task and Finish Group, branding it a “slap in the face” for the island’s farmers.

North Wales AM Llyr Gruffydd said the NFU and FUW represented thousands of farmers and one of the largest industries in the rural economy.

He added:.....

  “Plaid Cymru appreciates that the wider rural economy is not reliant on farming alone, but given the decision of the Welsh government to snub Wales’ farming unions, it shows how clueless the Labour party is on this issue.”
Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and European Programmes Alun Davies  said Plaid “issue press releases while Welsh Labour do the work.”

Never one for false modesty (or any other kind). He said:....
 “Plaid Cymru have got a cheek. I've spent most of the last year clearing up the mess left by my Plaid predecessor.
“From the bungled introduction of Glastir to their failure to represent Welsh farmers in Europe to a food strategy with no actions, no targets and no direction.
Isn't it a pretty poor minister who admits its taken him a year to get to grips with his job? Though it may be that he is restricted by Agriculture no longer being a l Cabinet Post.. Which in itself may explain Labours attitude 

His Plaid predecessor  (he problems over a proposed Badger cull notwithstanding)  was largely seen as the best Agricultural Minister the Assembly ever had.Popular with all sides of the Industry.

Even if his claims have any merit its an interesting position to take on a former coalition colleague 

At least Plaid are talking about current policy, but Davies is attacking Policies that his Party approved of in the Lab/Plaid coalition. Are Welsh Government Agricultural  Ministers all powerful? Were ot voices raised in cabinet meeting that her policies had no direction . What happened to collective responsibility?.

Once a prominent Plaid supporter Alun Davies  always believes in aggressive politics. Believing that this rather than have constructive ideas the best idea is simply to attack your opponents. 

Whatever your views on farming it is ridiculous not to talk to farmers representatives.

Unless you view is the farming has been feather-bedded too long  and your long term  plan is  to reduce thier influence on the Welsh economy.

Is this Labours new Policy?

No comments: