NFU CYMRU has been delighted to welcome Members of the Senedd out on farm to plant a tree as part of the union’s #GrowingTogether campaign.

Members of the Senedd have been planting an oak tree, kindly supplied by Coed Cadw – The Woodland Trust in Wales, as part of NFU Cymru’s recently launched #GrowingTogether strategy for tree planting in Wales.

Against the background of ambitious targets to increase tree cover in Wales to help mitigate and adapt to the challenges presented by climate change, the #GrowingTogether initiative promotes a philosophy to future tree planting in Wales that advocates more trees integrated into farming systems – rather than replacing farming systems, allowing food production, farming, trees, nature, landscapes and rural communities to thrive.

NFU Cymru Presdient John Davies, who launched the campaign on his farm said: “We are delighted that Members of the Senedd are joining us to plant trees on farms across Wales.

"Engaging with politicians is a vital component of spreading awareness of our #GrowingTogether campaign and sharing our ambitions with all those who have an interest in delivering the outcomes we all want to see.

“At NFU Cymru we firmly believe agriculture is uniquely placed to be part of the solution to climate change and that climate goals should be met in ways that are sustainable and fair. Tree planting targets should not be achieved through a binary choice of farming or forestry, instead Wales’ ambitious targets should be progressed in a way that safeguards the multiple economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits that Welsh farming provides.”

Members of the Senedd who have supported the #GrowingTogether campaign are: Janet Finch-Saunders, Cefin Campbell, Rhun ap Iorwerth, Llyr Gruffydd, Jayne Bryant, Jane Hutt, Rebecca Evans and Lesley Griffiths.

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru's North Wales MS, said: "I'd like to thank Stanley and NFU Cymru for the warm welcome at the farm and for the opportunity to take part in this planting scheme.

"Everyone has a part to play in decarbonising Wales and the world and farmers are ahead of the curve in many respects. It's important that, as we look to safeguard and improve the environment, that we don't lose sight of the communities and people that work the land.

"Simplistic rewilding merely creates plantations and I'd far rather we adopted a grassroots-based approach that reflects the needs of Wales."

Rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths MS added: “As a government, we are absolutely committed to tackling the climate emergency we face today so we can protect future generations.

“It is clear Wales needs a step change to increase woodland creation and farmers have a crucial role to play in these efforts. We want to do this by working with the industry in a way which safeguards the viability of our agricultural businesses.

"Planting trees will also offer opportunities to create new sources of income and green jobs in our rural communities.

“We will now review and consider the detail of NFU Cymru’s strategy.”

The NFU Cymru #GrowingTogether pledge stems from the union’s Growing Together: A strategy for sustainably increasing tree cover in Wales report, launched in September.

The document is a blueprint identifying the barriers and opportunities that exist to deliver on these objectives while safeguarding thriving rural communities and ensuring the continued production of high quality, affordable food in Wales.