The Liberal Democrats have proposed new legislation to protect Welsh farmers from being undercut by food trade deals that do not meet the UK’s environment and animal welfare standards.

The plans, set out in a private member’s bill from Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Rural Affairs Tim Farron MP, would require the government’s Trade and Agriculture Commission to assess the impact of any new trade deal on UK farmers, and guarantee that MPs had the final say on trade deals initiated by the government.

This would include an assessment of the impact of new trade deals on farming communities in each region and nation of the UK.

Farron’s Bill comes after concern was raised by farmers unions and the Welsh Liberal Democrats that the Government’s new trade deal with Australia will not include a Welsh-specific impact assessment.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS and Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson Tim Farron MP

Ahead of Small Business Saturday, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have called for more action to support more small businesses across Wales.

Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and support small businesses in their communities and takes place on the first Saturday in December each year. 

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have stated that not enough is being done to support small businesses across Wales given the adverse few years they have just had to face, adapting to post-Brexit trading agreements and coping with the long-lasting fallout of the pandemic.  

Among the measures the party is calling for are: reform of business rates, improved broadband speeds and access, further investment in towns regeneration and a windfall tax on global giants like Amazon.  

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS chatting with a local shop owner.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have demanded that the UK Government provides emergency support to rural communities who have been left without power for days after Storm Arwen. The calls come as many in Powys, Ceredigion and the Dee Vally face their fourth night without power. 

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS & Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson Tim Farron MP

Responding to today’s announcement by Health Minister Eluned Morgan, the Welsh Liberal Democrats and Jane Dodds have welcomed measures to try and mitigate any potential adverse effects of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have accused the Welsh Conservatives of failing to use their influence in Westminster to protect Welsh farmers in the wake the of Conservative Government’s post-Brexit trade policy.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS

Responding to figures released by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today showing a significant shortage of nurses in Wales, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have called for a greater increase in the pay rise currently being offered by the Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru administration.

Jane Dodds MS - Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats

Ahead of today’s Senedd debate on a cladding safety Bill, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have reiterated their calls that the Welsh Government must protect people first and pursue developers later when it comes to tackling the cladding crisis.

Responding to the news that Labour and Plaid Cymru have signed a 3-year cooperation deal in the Senedd, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS responded by reiterating that the Welsh Liberal Democrats will remain an independent opposition party, working with the Government to achieve common goals, but also holding them to account in areas in which they are failing or not achieving enough in. 

Jane Dodds MS - Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats 

Responding to ambulance response times figures published today, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have stated ambulance waiting times are unacceptable and dangerous and urged all political parties to work together to find a solution.

Today Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Member for Mid & West Wales Jane Dodds highlighted her concern that a Powys farmer had been given a £15,000 fine after some of the trees he planted in a Welsh government scheme were in the wrong place, some by just a few inches.

Jane Dodds MS, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.