THEY can see the wood for the trees thanks to a national initiative.
NFU Cymru has been welcoming Members of the Senedd out on farms to plant trees 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.
Among those who have participated are Clwyd West MS Darren Millar, Ruthin-based North Wales MS Llyr Gruffydd, Dwyfor Meirionnydd MS Mabon ap Gwynfor and North Wales representative Mark Isherwood.
NFU Cymru president 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.”
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Rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths MS said: “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.
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