Welsh Labour leader maintains rural Wales 'will have voice'

FIRST Minister Carwyn Jones has defended his decision not to appoint a minister for rural affairs in his new cabinet.

The Labour leader had come under fire from opposition politicians after revealing his cabinet last week.

Plaid Cymru warned that the needs of rural Wales would be under threat after learning the agriculture portfolio would be looked after by a deputy minister.

Plaid Cymru AM for Mid and West Wales, Simon Thomas, said: "Agriculture is of huge importance to the Welsh economy as a whole.

"I am very concerned that Carwyn Jones's decision to relegate responsibility over agriculture to a deputy minister in his minority Labour government puts the future of rural Wales and our farming communities under threat.

"Our farming communities need and deserve to have their voices heard, especially at a time when their livelihood is under threat from the ConDem government in London with their plans to end the single farm payment."

However, speaking yesterday Mr Jones said: "The economy of rural Wales is bound up with the economy of urban Wales — they don't exist separately.

"Farming is an important part of Welsh life, which is why I have made sure there is a deputy minister with agriculture in the title as well who will be responsible for representing farming, fisheries and food development."

In the new government, agriculture and food will be held within the portfolio of former Health Secretary Edwina Hart in her new role as Business, Enterprise and Technology Minister.

In the previous administration Plaid's Elin Jones had held the rural affairs portfolio.

Mr Thomas said: "The work of Elin Jones as Plaid Cymru agriculture Minister over the past four years was widely praised across rural Wales.

"She championed the needs of farmers and ensured that their voice was heard."

Last week Mr Jones announced that, after winning 30 of the 60 seats available in the recent Assembly election, Labour would not be seeking a coalition partner and would be going it alone.

Shadow Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has welcomed the announcement of the cabinet team. He said: "This is a strong team that contains the right mix of experience and new faces.

"The appointment of one of Welsh Labour's toughest decision-makers, Edwina Hart, to the economy portfolio shows where the priorities lie in the months ahead for the new Welsh Government."

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503366/s/14de7ceb/l/0L0Sthisissouthwales0O0Cnews0CLeader0Emaintains0Erural0EWales0Evoice0Carticle0E35592780Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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