AS the wildfires in Blaenavon and other areas in Wales intensify, Reform’s Shadow Minister for agriculture has provided a comment after speaking to farmers who have felt the impact.

Laura Anne Jones MS, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Food, Farming and Rural Affairs, said:

“I was deeply concerned to hear that the Blaenavon wildfire has intensified again. I have previously visited the common and met with the commoners and farmers who manage this land, and I have seen first-hand the devastation caused.

“Farmers tell me their land has been burning for around three weeks without aerial firefighting support, yet within hours of the fire reaching NRW-managed land, a helicopter was deployed. There are extremely serious questions to answer about how this fire has been managed and why that support was not deployed sooner.

“Yesterday at Sioe Môn on Anglesey, I was speaking with farming unions about the urgent need for financial support for those affected as the fire continues to spread.

“We also need a agricultural policy to change to bring back practical preventative measures, including firebreaks, ponds, increased livestock grazing on our uplands and proper bracken control. We must listen to the farmers and commoners who know and manage this land every single day.

“I have also written to the First Minister asking what urgent financial support will be made available. The Government’s recent announcement may help farmers prepare for future wildfires, but it does nothing for those who may have already suffered losses and face significant costs now. They need immediate support.