With the General Election campaign now in full swing, the Arsyllfa team have taken a look at the manifestos of the main parties in order to see what they have to say about the countryside and the rural economy. Over the next weeks we will be taking a look at what each of the parties who are standing candidates in Wales have to say and will be outlining their proposals for the countryside and agriculture, as well rural poverty, services and the rural economy.
Here we will take a quick glance at some of the main proposals of the Labour Party manifesto. Included in their manifesto are the following policies:
- A promise to place ‘failing water companies’ in special measures. Give extra powers to regulators to block bonuses for water company executives that fail to prevent water pollutions. Fines for companies that do not comply with regulations.
- Set a target for half of all the food that is bought in the public to be produced locally or to a high environmental standard.
- Introduce a land use framework and commit to make land management plans that work for both farmers and nature.
- A promise to eradicate bovine TB by working hand in hand with farmers and scientists. A commitment to end badger culling which is called ‘ineffective’.
- Promote on the international markets sectors of strategic importance to Wales, such as lamb.
- End dog farming.
- Ban the use of snares for hunting.
- Work in conjunction with the private sector to ensure that energy generated through wind onshore is doubled. Triple the amount of solar energy and produce four times as much energy through off shore wind turbines.
Clearly many of the above proposals are ones that belong to devolved areas and so are not necessarily directly relevant to Welsh voters. However, it will be interesting to see what the effect of any policies that the next UK Government in Westminster adopt on how the Welsh Government operates, and if any increase in funding in certain areas allow similar changes in Wales. This is especially true given the fact that if Labour win the General Election and form a government, there will be Labour administrations on ‘both ends of the M4’.
For more information regarding what exactly the Labour manifesto offers, follow this link to read the document in its entirety.
