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Measures being proposed by councillors on Anglesey, could block the authority from selling off any more of their farms and small holdings due to concerns it may deter the agricultural workers of the future.

Farming Unions slammed Anglesey Council earlier this year after selling off Betws near Cemaes and Henbont at Elim, near Llanddeusant, at public auction.

The island’s Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) representatives described the decision as “concerning” and a stumbling block for those hoping to follow a career in agriculture.

But now, some councillors are proposing moves that would stop the sale of any more smallholdings unless given the authority of the full council to do so - effectively taking the decision out of the hands of the newly elected Plaid-led ruling group.





(Image: Oliver Dixon geograph.co.uk)

Cllr Aled Morris Jones, a member of the council’s opposition Annibynwyr Mon group, is to table a motion at the authority’s next meeting in late September.

He said: “Council farms and small holdings offer youngsters the chance to stay on the island and start their own business, possibly moving on to owning their own farms one day.

“But by taking the ladder away, what chance do these young farmers of the future have?

“The motion, which I hope will be approved by councillors of all political persuasions next month, would mean only with the consent of the council chamber, could any more be sold off.”

Peter Williams, the FUW’s Anglesey chairman, told the Daily Post that the union was fully supportive of any proposals that would keep as many smallholdings in council ownership.

(Image: Trinity Mirror)

While Portholio holder, Cllr Bob Parry, who is also a prominent farmer on the island, said that has no plans to sell-off any more council run farms in the short or medium future.

“It’s up to individual councillors if they want to support the motion, of course. But from my point of view, I fully appreciate the importance of council farms and smallholdings to agriculture on the island as well as Wales as a whole.

“Some have previously been sold off to fund a £10m investment into the agricultural estate, but now that’s been completed, I have no plans to sell-off any whole farms as long as I’m in this role.

“Of course, that could change in future depending on who the island’s councillors are at the time, but from my point of view, its not something I envisage happening during my tenure at least.”

The next Anglesey full council meeting takes place on September 26.

An Isle of Anglesey County Council spokesman said: “If a notice of motion comes before the next full council, it will of course be given the proper consideration.”

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