The financial pressures currently facing local farm businesses was discussed at length during the recent meeting of Pembrokeshire NFU Cymru members, held at Agriculture House, Haverfordwest.
Speaking after the meeting Pembrokeshire NFU Cymru County Chairman, Simon Richards said, “The Welsh agricultural sector is in the grip of a cash flow crisis with prolonged low prices continuing to put severe pressure on the majority of dairy, sheep, arable and horticultural farm businesses throughout the county. Cash flow is a major concern, not just for farmers but for the multitude of rural businesses that depend on farmers for their income.”
Mr Richards added, “It’s very disappointing that the Welsh Government has confirmed that it won’t be in a position to take advantage of the flexibility given to it by the European Commission to make up to 70% of direct payments to farmers from 16 October. The Welsh Government needs to recognise the magnitude of the crisis facing the agricultural industry and we call on it to make a clear and firm commitment to make a substantial partial payment of this year’s Basic Payment Scheme support to all farmers in Wales when the payment window opens on 1 December.
Mr Richards concluded, “Our farm businesses are being ravaged by the volatility of the global marketplace and the industry finds itself in a difficult situation at the present time.
“Whilst we recognise that there’s very little that Welsh Government can do to directly influence global markets, we are looking to the Welsh Government to use the tools that they do have at their disposal, such as delivering prompt payment support to the industry through the Basic Payment Scheme, to help our businesses cope with the challenges of operating in this volatile marketplace.”
