James Evans MS has warned that the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme risks creating a system where the big landowning organisations with large areas of habitat land gain most, while farmers producing food struggle to access the same level of support. Raising the issue in the Senedd, James said early indications from the scheme’s opening and the ready reckoner suggest habitat-related payments could heavily reward those with large areas of habitat land, while food-producing farms do not receive the same benefit. James Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, said: “Public money should support working farms and rural communities, not create a system that rewards organisations with large areas of habitat land. If the incentives are skewed towards habitat payments that only the biggest players can maximise, family food producing farms will be the ones who lose out. The Welsh Government must publish clear, transparent impacts of the scheme and ensure it is fair, so farmers producing food aren’t penalised for doing exactly what the country needs them to do.”
James Evans MS has been appointed as the Shadow Cabinet Minister for Health, Prevention and Sport. The appointment was announced yesterday on social media by Leader of the Opposition Dan Thomas MS, as part of his new Shadow Cabinet team. James said he is especially pleased to see sport included in his brief, highlighting the important role that health, fitness and active lifestyles play in improving physical and mental wellbeing. James Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, said: “I’m really pleased to have been appointed Shadow Cabinet Minister for Health, Prevention and Sport. I’m especially over the moon to have sport included in the brief. Health, fitness and wellbeing are a huge part of my own life, and I know first hand how important they are for physical health and mental health. If we are serious about tackling some of the biggest challenges in our society, prevention and active lifestyles have to be at the heart of that conversation. There’s a lot to do, but I’m looking forward to getting stuck in!”
James Evans MS has called on the new Plaid Cymru Welsh Government to deliver on the promises it made to people in his constituency as First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth is set to chair the first meeting of his newly appointed Cabinet this week. The new First Minister is expected to make a statement to the Senedd tomorrow setting out his Government’s priorities. James says that must include action on the issues Plaid Cymru promised to address during the election, including stopping the industrialisation of rural Wales with pylons and turbines, improving cross-border healthcare, tackling TB in the wildlife population, and delivering a new Rapid Diagnostic Centre for Powys. James warned that local priorities must not be pushed aside if any public money is spent pursuing Welsh independence. James Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, said: “I hope the promises Plaid made to people in my constituency are on the agenda at the new First Minister’s first Cabinet meeting. During the election, they promised action on stopping the industrialisation of rural Wales with pylons and turbines, addressing cross-border healthcare, tackling TB in the wildlife population, and delivering a new Rapid Diagnostic Centre for Powys. I will work with anyone, from any party, to deliver real benefits for the communities I represent. But I fear we will see millions wasted looking at independence while the real priorities of our community are pushed aside.”