Worrying reductions in farm income figures

Latest results from the Farm Business Survey, an independent analysis of farm incomes conducted by the Institute of Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth clearly illustrates the financial plight of hill and upland farmers.

The results, which show that net farm income on upland cattle and sheep farms fell by 42.5% to under £12,000, with hill cattle and sheep enterprises showing a drop of 36.5% to well under £10,000 are confirmed in the 2005/2006 figures. Hill sheep farm incomes also showed a 25% fall.

Speaking at today's NFU Cymru LFA board, John Owen, board Chairman said, "This is particularly worrying given that the Assembly Government is intent on reducing its support for hill and upland farmers by 33% in 2007."

If the Assembly is allowed to cut Tir Mynydd support by a third, then the impact on this worryingly low level of incomes will frankly be devastating."

John Owen continued, "I take no pleasure in saying that the figures produced by the Institute of Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth vindicate the deep concern NFU Cymru has for this sector of the Welsh farming industry.

"The political parties ignore these figures at their peril. I hope that this will provide the independent proof and justification for EPC's review, and hopefully reversal, of Government proposals to reduce funding to these vulnerable areas in 2008.

"On the basis of the income evidence presented, cuts of the magnitude proposed are totally unsustainable."