The National Assembly for Wales will explore the future of farming at the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd this year with events by both the Llywydd and the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee.
The Welsh Youth Parliament will also be at the Royal Welsh Show in partnership with the Wales Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs
On Wednesday, 24 July, the Llywydd, Elin Jones AM, will chair a panel discussion with experts and those working across the industry.
The event, which is part of the Assembly's 20 years of devolution programme, will focus on how farming has developed over the past two decades and explore how automation and other technological advancements could change the sector in future. The panel will also discuss how to inspire the next generation to take up farming.
The panellists will be:
- Dr Prysor Williams, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management, Bangor University
- Dafydd Jones, Chairman, YFC Wales
- Teleri Fielden, YFC Llyndy Isaf Scholar, National Trust and first generation farmer
- Branwen Miles, Project Officer, European Landowners' Organisation
- Cai Thomas Phillips, Welsh Youth Parliament Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire.
Elin Jones AM said:
"As we mark 20 years of devolution in Wales it is an appropriate time and place to explore how our agricultural sector has evolved in two decades, and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead.
"I am looking forward to exploring these areas with our panel, which has such a wide range of views and experience, in what promises to be a varied and engaging discussion."
The event will take place in the S4C pavilion between 14.00 – 16.00.
Earlier on Wednesday, 24 July, the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee will consider the challenges facing the agriculture, land use and forestry sectors in meeting the Welsh Government's target of transition to a net zero-carbon economy by 2050.
The Welsh Government's decarbonisation plan includes reducing carbon emissions by 28 per cent against 1990 levels and increasing land use.
Chair of the Committee, Mike Hedges AM, will head a panel of:
- Nerys Llewelyn Jones, Agri Advisor
- Arfon Williams, RSPB Cymru
- Anthony Geddes, Confor
- James Byrne Wildlife Trusts Wales, Wales Environment Link
The event will take place in the ITV Wales pavilion between 11.00 – 12.30.
Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament will also be at the Royal Welsh Show to talk to young people throughout the event. Members will be on hand at the Young Farmers Club pavilion and will be gathering opinions and suggestions as part of its survey looking at life skills in the curriculum.