MP questions Ministers over upland farm support
During Defra Questions in the House of Commons, Brecon and Radnorshire MP Roger Williams raised his concerns regarding the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and its potential impact on upland hill farmers.
Williams, who is Chair of the Liberal Democrat Environment, Food and Rural Affairs backbench committee, asked the Secretary of State: "Upland farms in the UK, particularly those in England, are good at delivering environmental objectives. What will the reformed CAP do to ensure that upland farms maintain their financial viability, so they can continue to deliver those public goods?"
In reply, Paterson said: "I confirm again my belief that because in parts of the UK, such as upland areas, it is tough to make a living purely from food production, there is a significant role for taxpayers’ money to be spent on environmental schemes supporting the valuable work upland farmers do to protect and improve the environment, upon which sits a tourism industry worth £33 billion.
Commenting after the debate, the MP said: "Hill farms are under the most financial pressure and it is essential that the English proposals for delivering Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 of the CAP, provide sufficient financial support for these businesses so that they continue to deliver public goods such as biodiversity, landscape quality and access that the public so value. I will be making representations to the Ministers in DEFRA to ensure that payments are slanted to the Uplands.”
The Rural Payments Agency has paid out more than £2.9 million to beef and sheep farmers working on some of the most difficult terrain in England.
As of 14 June, the Agency had made Uplands Transitional Payments to 1,252 farmers which equates to 99 percent of those eligible for the money and more than 99 percent of the total value of the scheme being paid.
The total figure paid out so far is £2,980,716.
RPA Operations Director Paul Caldwell said: “This is another example of the Agency getting money to farmers quickly and efficiently, which is particularly important in what has been a difficult year for many.
“The money recognises the particular difficulties hill farmers face and the vital work they do in maintaining the English uplands and supporting rural communities in these areas.”
John Owen of NFU Cymru said: "A viable and profitable upland farming industry delivers on a number of wider social, economic and cultural activities – this is in addition to its role in food production and protection and enhancement of the environment."
