Rural Affairs Minister Visits Anglesey Farm

Elin Jones, the Welsh Assembly Government's Minister for Rural Affairs met with Anglesey farmers recently on an NFU Cymru organised visit to Ty Mawr farm, Aberffraw.

Several issues of concern were raised with the Minister, most notably the fact that 15% of Welsh farmers, many of whom are from Anglesey, are yet to receive their Single Farm Payment, leaving some farmers unable to pay their bills.

Trevor Lloyd, NFU Cymru Chairman for Anglesey said, "There is no doubt that farmers are suffering because of this delay in the Single Farm Payment reaching them and we understand that much of the hold up stems from system problems within the Assembly. We have urged the Minister to do whatever she can to speed matters along and help take the pressure off farmers, some of whom are in dire financial straits as a result of the delay."

During the meeting Ms Jones laid out her priorities for agriculture over the coming months, emphasising the fact that the Assembly Government and farmers need to work to capitalise on the growing demand for locally produced food, by strengthening farmers' hands in the marketplace. The Minister also informed those present that she intends to launch a Young Entrant scheme specifically geared towards encouraging the next generation into farming.

Trevor Lloyd added, "Whilst I'm supportive of the Minister's intention to help young farmers, the bottom line is that there will be no future for anyone in farming unless we start making a decent profit.

"If you want to encourage the next generation into the industry, make it profitable and everything else will follow. Profit is not only affected by commodity prices but by costs. The Assembly has within its power mechanisms to reduce the cost burden on farming, one case in point being Nitrate Vulnerable Zone Regulations which will, if implemented, hit several farms on the island hard.

"We implored the Minister not to introduce this unnecessary regulation and to work with the industry to reduce, not increase, throttling and costly regulation after regulation. To this end we welcome the appointment of former NFU Cymru President Peredur Hughes as an adviser to the Minister on streamlining inspections and regulatory and bureaucratic burdens on farms in Wales"