ELWYN Vaughan hopes lessons have been learnt from the Foot and Mouth crisis of 2001.

Speaking on the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the outbreak the Plaid Cymru Senedd candidate and Powys county councillor looked back to 2001.

He said: “Coming from a farming family, I’m well aware of the effects that foot and mouth had on many, not only financially but health wise, and it’s a opportune moment to stand back and think what lessons have we learnt and what steps we need to take."

Mr Vaughan said times were still tough for the agriculture sector in Wales.

"Farmers are under huge pressures at present," he said.

"Our exports will now face additional red tape meaning additional costs to farmers. These non-tariff barriers will add up to eight per cent in additional costs making us less competitive in the international market.

"The new burden of Export Health Certificates alone will cost our industry an extra £60m a year.

"Funding for Welsh agriculture and rural communities is being slashed by a whopping £137m.

"The Labour Welsh Government is proposing to copy the Conservative UK Government’s controversial plans to scrap direct payments to farmers. These payments currently represent 80 per cent of farm incomes in Wales and now there are added concerns regarding the blanket approach to NVZ regulations and on top of that you have the ever fears of Bovine TB."

Mr Vaughan called for a different approach and "positive narrative between government and farmers."

He proposed a six point plan to help farmers in mid Wales.

Among the proposals is the establishment of a mid Wales enterprise agency which would act as a rural regeneration partnership and the creation of a wool research facility in Newtown to increase its value,

Mr Vaughan also called for support for green and environmentally based enterprises and social enterprises often utilising farmland or farm buildings and adding value to local food products including beef and supporting local processing facilities such as in Llanidloes and Machynlleth minimising food miles.

Mr Vaughan also hopes to see food hubs created locally to enable new food enterprises to develop and grow and facilitate diversification while also supporting mental healthy charities in rural communities.

He said: "Farming can be a lonely place of work. The isolation, stresses and worries can be many. If anything from Foot and Mouth, let’s diversify the economy, add value and support the health and wellbeing within the framing sector.”