Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, has said the Welsh Government has a ‘genuine lack’ of understanding about the key economic sectors of rural Wales and accused Ministers and officials of refusing to listen to ‘fundamental’ concerns of the agricultural and forestry industries regarding current government policy.
During a Welsh Conservative-led debate, the Shadow Minister for Environment and Sustainability, highlight the Government’s recent U-turn on bovine TB and its ‘farcical’ handling of Glastir as examples of its failure to deliver transparent and cost-effective policies.
The Montgomeryshire AM also raised the concerns of the forestry industry regarding the Government’s recent decision to incorporate the Forestry Commission into a ‘single environment body’ - despite its position as an arms-length commercial organisation. He said thepotential impact to the forestry sector and the wider Welsh economy if the Government moved forward with the merger process with uncertainty, would pose a major risk to commercial business and potential investment.
Commenting, Mr George said:
“As an AM representing one of the large rural constituencies of Wales, I cannot emphasise enough the value and contribution that the agricultural and forestry sectors bring to the Welsh economy.
“Yet it is clear to me over the last year from the representations I have received, these sectors are growing ever more frustrated by a Government who neither understands nor listens to their concerns.
“Ministers are out of touch and would rather blunder on with policy regardless of the views of relevant stakeholders.
“Public money has been wasted and rural faith in this Government has been lost.
“Ministers must engage effectively with relevant groups to improve transparency and put jobs and growth in rural Wales at the top of their agenda.”