Farmers let down by Welsh Labour Government
56 farms across Wales were yet to have receive Basic Payment Scheme funds owed to them by the end of May 2017.
Given the current levels of volatility in agricultural markets, the Basic Payment Scheme is a vital safety net for farmers, providing essential income support.
The figures have come to light in a response to a Written Assembly Question by Janet Finch-Saunders AM by the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs.
Janet said:
“We need to remember that each one of these 56 farms represents an individual business – a family’s livelihood.
“Delays on the part of the Welsh Labour Government are simply not good enough. When our farmers are left struggling to balance the books each week, the Government needs to take a long, hard look at how it is processing these applications to ensure that not one single payment is late next year.”
ENDS
WAQ response, below, available at: http://www.assembly.wales/en/bus-home/Pages/Plenary.aspx?assembly=5&category=Written%20Question
FOR ANSWER BY
THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT AND RURAL AFFAIRS
ON 08 JUNE
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm how many farmers had received all Basic Payment Scheme payments by the end of May 2017, and how many were still awaiting one or more payments? (WAQ73623)
Lesley Griffiths: 15,392 farm businesses received their Basic Payment Scheme payment by the end of May 2017. At that time, 56 farm businesses had not been paid.