The WLGA Rural Forum recognises the vitally important role the agricultural industry plays within the rural economy and in sustaining rural communities, including the role of small family farms in maintaining the Welsh language and managing the rural landscape. The WLGA supports agricultural policies that safeguard an economically resilient industry, producing affordable food to high standards of environmental management and animal welfare. The Rural Forum will continue to lobby as appropriate on all those matters.

The vision set out here contains policy proposals for the rural economy that aim to enhance and complement future agricultural policy by addressing the complex range of challenges Forum members have identified. These include the skills base in rural areas, and investment in activities to add value to the range of primary products derived from farming activity.