A local MS has raised concerns over the removal of the “Rural Affairs” title in the new Welsh Government Cabinet, warning that rural Wales risks being “side-lined”.

In the new Cabinet announced by First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth yesterday, responsibility for farming and rural policy now sits under a renamed brief: “Rural Resilience and Sustainability”, held by Llyr Gruffydd.

Reform UK MS for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, James Evans, claims the change will worry many across rural Wales who already fear agriculture is being viewed too heavily through the lens of net zero and sustainability, rather than food production, rural jobs, and farming families.

Mr Evans said: “The disappearance of the ‘Rural Affairs Minister’ title will concern many people across rural Wales. Farming is not just about resilience and sustainability. It is about food production, rural jobs, family farms and the future of our Welsh agricultural communities.

“Many farmers already feel they are being treated as a problem to be managed, rather than as an essential part of our economy and national life.

“Time will tell whether this new Plaid Cymru Government truly understands rural Wales, but I will be watching closely and holding them to account every step of the way.”