£47 million boost to Welsh rural economy

AN additional £47 million is being made available in Wales over the next three years to secure a more sustainable future for the rural economy.

This includes an extra £27 million to 'vigorously' pursue bovine TB eradication, £2m to launch a new entrants scheme for young farmers and sufficient funding to restore Tir Mynydd hill support payments to £29m in 2008 and £25m for future years.

Announcing the new Welsh Assembly budgetary provisions yesterday, Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said the additional money was 'good news for rural Wales and the farming industry'.