§ Mr. WalterTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Minister of Agriculture regarding the state of farming in Wales. [105570]
§ Mr. Paul Murphy[holding answer 18 January 2000]I speak regularly with my colleagues in Whitehall, and we discuss a wide range of issues. I am acutely aware of the long-term problems facing Welsh agriculture and the current difficulties. Our priority must be to work towards a stable, sustainable and prosperous future for Welsh farming. Support for this objective is a matter for the Assembly and they are pursuing it through their Food Strategy and Rural Development Plan.