Cefin Campbell MS Mid & West Wales

Cefin Campbell MS visited Gelli Aur College near Llandeilo on 14^th October to plant 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 County Adviser for Carmarthenshire, Aled Davies said: “We are delighted that Cefin Campbell MS could join us to plant a tree at Gelli Aur College. Engaging with politicians like Cefin Campbell MS 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.”

Cefin Campbell MS said: “Tree planting can play a vital part in combating climate change and benefiting our environment . I have long supported proposals that work closely with farmers - securing a balanced approach between productive land use and decarbonisation.   

“Crucially, we need to ensure we are planting the right tree, in the right place, for the right reason, and as such I welcome NFU’s #GrowingTogether campaign which advocates this purpose.” 

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.