South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle’s blog: July 25

Cheese and Milk
The Big Cheese has developed into one of the best weekends of entertainment in Wales or anywhere else.

As a Caerphilly-born lad, I’m really proud at the success of the event and the way it has developed over 15 years by the county borough council. It has put Caerphilly firmly on the festival map.

Events kick off on Friday afternoon with The Great Cheese Race and those attending can get into the Olympic fever by watching the opening ceremony which is being broadcast live.

Then on Saturday and Sunday the festivities kick off from 11am and I’ve always found there is something at The Big Cheese for everyone – whether you’re a child or a senior citizen.

Around 80,000 people are forecast to attend – and if the recent warm spell continues – it could well be more. It is also a free event in the shadows of one of the best castles in the UK. Enjoy the fun.

On a serious note, I wanted to refer to the row over the prices our farmers are receiving for their milk.

I’ve got a huge sympathy with milk farmers and if they can’t make ends meet we will end up with farmers leaving the industry with milk being imported from abroad.

All supermarkets and, indeed, processors must ensure they get a fair price. While supermarkets may use milk as a loss leader to get customers inside their doors, it must not be at the expense of our farmers.

I fully understand the action which has led to protests outside the premises of processors and supermarkets. As someone once said it’s time they woke up and smelt the coffee.

We must ensure a future for our milk farmers. That means paying them a fair price even if it results in slightly higher prices in our stores.

Substance Misuse
Substance misuse is a big issue in our communities and I questioned the First Minister on what us being done to encourage recovering individuals to participate in an integrated peer support scheme?

Establishing a recovery champion scheme would not only benefit substance misusers but provide previously unstable individuals with the opportunity to contribute to society and support their continued recovery. I hope this can happen.

Lindsay Whittle
Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales East