Friends of the Earth Cardiff Cyfeillion y Ddaear Caerdydd

Jonathan Evans (Con), Chris von Ruhland (Green), Nick Speed (ITV Wales and Chair), Llywelyn Rhys (Plaid), John Dixon (Lib Dem) and Julie Morgan (Lab) Photo: Tom Strickland, Cardiff Friends of the Earth

On Saturday 24 April 2010 over one hundred people gave up their sunny afternoon to question the General Election candidates for Cardiff North. Cardiff Friends of the Earth helped organised the meeting, supported by a broad range of social, development and environmental organisations, including Oxfam Cymru, Cardiff People and Planet, World Development Movement Wales and Christian Aid.

The meeting was themed around the global challenges of international development, climate change and the environment. Naturally and understandably, much of the election campaign has focussed on domestic issues such as the economy and public services. As a result this meeting was a great chance to remind the candidates of these serious and complicated international issues. It also allowed voter's to give their opinions about them.

ITV Wales' Political Editor, Nick Speed, chaired the meeting. Media Wales filmed the hustings and interviewed the candidates afterwards.

Members of Cardiff Friends of the Earth asked questions about the Food Chain. We are highlighting positive food practices that benefit people and the environment, such as local farmers markets and food cooperatives.

Friends of the Earth are campaigning for a Sustainable Livestock Bill that will shift £700 million of subsidies away from factory farms towards more environmentally friendly forms of farming.