Charles speaks out for countryside

A Royal is opening the show for the first time in 25 years

Prince Charles has spoken about his fear over a growing divide between town and country during the opening of the Royal Welsh Show.

The first time in 25 years that a member of the Royal family has opened Wales's top agricultural show, Prince Charles said the plight of troubled farmers was not helped by "what seems to be a growing divide" between those working in the country and the majority who live in urban areas.

Support for the countryside from Prince Charles

"I happen to believe deeply that our countryside, wherever it is, is a profoundly precious national asset that should be treasured," he told a cheering crowd.

"The people who live in it, many of them farming families, are an invaluable and unique part of our country's heritage and culture.

"And the countryside which those who live in cities rightly like to enjoy would be nothing without the care exercised by our farmers."

The Prince also attacked the increase in red tape facing farmers. "The future of small and medium-sized abattoirs and the seemingly endless growth in regulations which threatens to stifle the enterprise of the farmer with the courage to diversify are issues about which I care deeply," he said.

The Prince went on to voice his famous opposition to GM farming.

"I know you will all say that I would say this, and I would hate to disappoint you, but there can be few better ways to add value to your product than by converting to organic production and dare I say it, by being as far as possible in a GM-free country," he said.