Senedd Election Hustings: The Future of the Hemp Economy and the Welsh Bioeconomy
26 April 2026 · Doors 5:30 PM · Starts 6:00 PM
Haverhub, Haverfordwest
Moderator: Sonia Klein
A policy-focused hustings bringing together Senedd candidates, sponsors, and supporters to debate the future of sustainable industry in Wales.
Senedd candidates from across the political spectrum will respond to a central question: Should Wales develop a national hemp and bioeconomy strategy, including a potential £50 million public-private investment programme, to support farmers, build domestic processing capacity, and create new green manufacturing industries?
The evening will include moderated policy discussion, audience questions, and cross-party dialogue. The format is designed for equal speaking time and substantive engagement with the economic evidence.
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Date
26 April 2026
Time
Doors 5:30 PM · Starts 6:00 PM
Duration
2 hours 30 minutes
Rhaglen · Agenda
5:30 PM
Doors open
6:00 PM
VIP opening address: global bioeconomy context
6:10 PM
Moderator welcome and ground rules
6:15 PM
Candidate introductions
6:30 PM
Round 1: Policy positions on hemp and bioeconomy
6:55 PM
Round 2: Economic challenge (the £50m investment scenario)
7:15 PM
Interval
7:30 PM
Round 3: Audience questions
8:05 PM
Round 4: Cross-party questions
8:20 PM
Closing statements
8:30 PM
VIP closing address and public vote
Y Cymedrolwr · The Moderator
Sonia Klein
The World's First Hempconomist
Sonia Klein is the world's first Hempconomist. A research scientist turned international banker, she spent three years and $1.6 million developing a novel patented process for creating hemp block. Four houses have been built with the technology in Iowa. She is completing a PhD at Aberystwyth University in the Political Economy of Hemp and sits as a Trustee of the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth.