Llyr Gruffydd MS Member of the Senedd for North Wales

Recently Llyr Gruffydd and Plaid Cymru called for a National Summit on the future of council farms

Acknowledging that councils across Wales are facing huge financial pressures that are placing council farms under threat of being sold off to balance the books, Llyr Gruffydd MS called on the government to act now before they’re lost forever.

Llyr Gruffydd said:
“We know that the financial pressure on local authorities makes the future of council farms hugely vulnerable. Councils are under immense pressure to sell them off to bring in income to pay for other services. That’s why the Government must act swiftly to protect them. There’s a real danger that this is selling off an important part of the future of farming.

“It’s time the Welsh Government brings all the key stakeholders together in a National Summit to discuss how we can secure a more sustainable future for council farms. They’re an important gateway into the industry, particularly for younger entrants who would otherwise not have an opportunity to farm. They also play a role in protecting food security and in supporting wider rural economies and services.

“A summit would get everyone around the table to consider different ways forward. Local authorities, farming unions, the Young Farmers’ Clubs, the Tenant Farmer Association, agricultural colleges and others need the opportunity to bring ideas to the table. Let’s investigate how these farms can be put to more creative use when the opportunities arise. The possibility of working with agricultural colleges to give opportunities to implement new and innovative approaches to farming could be a particularly exciting part of the mix.

“We can take inspiration from when the National Trust worked with Wales Young Farmers’ Clubs to offer bursaries to young farmers at Llyndy Isaf in Snowdonia. This gave new entrants valuable experience of farm management and an opportunity to innovate as they started their farming careers. That’s the kind of creative thinking that could be part of our approach to council farms in future.

“This national discussion on the future of council farms is long-overdue. It’s a call I originally made back in 2016 – but now we’re in the last chance saloon. Once they’re gone, they’ll be gone for good, so we need to act to protect them now.

“All options should be on the table – but Welsh Government needs to drive this agenda and make it happen – starting with a National Summit.”