NFU Cymru has welcomed the key findings and recommendations of the National Assembly’s Environment & Sustainability Committee’s Task and Finish Group on CAP reform following its recent inquiry.
Ed Bailey, President of NFU Cymru, speaking at the Union’s Ceredigion Conference last night said, “We submitted both written and oral evidence to the inquiry and I am pleased to say that the priorities indicated by the Task and Finish group entirely reflect those spelt out by NFU Cymru in its evidence. This can only add weight to the arguments we are presenting both to the Welsh Government and to members of the European Parliament.”
“Adequate and fair arrangements, flexibility in the greening proposals to take account of Wales’ agricultural context and suitable modelling to inform the negotiating process are all key aspects of our current negotiations but I am pleased that the group has recognised and accepted too the importance of a fair and equitable allocation for Wales of Rural Development Funding and that this must reflect and include all past monies spent on Rural Development in Wales.
“From next year onwards there will be no Rural Development spending in Wales on support for the LFA with the demise of the Tir Mynydd scheme. I would like to see Wales securing from Europe a bigger budget for its Rural Development Programme between 2013-2020 to enable the Welsh Government to dedicate funds specifically for the LFA.
Mr Bailey added, “I have it on good authority from the European Commission following meetings with them that the Welsh Government could, if it was so minded, continue to operate a dedicated LFA support scheme for those farming in areas of permanent disadvantage and handicap. No stone must be left unturned in seeking resources for this. From next year onwards Wales will be the only country within the UK without LFA support. This cannot be fair.”
NFU Cymru would like to thank HSBC Bank for sponsoring the Ceredigion Conference.
No comments have been made.