FUW MEMBER’S PLIGHT WINS AM SUPPORT

An Aberconwy tenant farmer has complained to his local AM that he had still not received a big Tir Gofal payment expected last January and later promised it would be paid into his bank account a month ago.

Farmers’ Union of Wales member Gwynedd Evans, of Bryn Bras, Padog, Betws y Coed, met Gareth Jones AM with union officials and raised the issue together with other matters including the need for common land to be included in the proposed Glastir scheme as soon as possible.

The cost of electronic tagging (EID) of sheep and the proposed EU legislation controlling private water supplies was also discussed.

Mr Evans said he was pleased that Mr Jones and Wales MEP Jill Evans were already pursuing with the Welsh Assembly Government the possible derogation of the water supplies legislation.

But after his substantial Tir Gofal payment had been held up since January due to cross compliance red tape he claimed he had been promised it had been sorted out and the payment would be in his bank account a last month.

However, it has still not arrived and he and his family are finding it difficult to manage because he is investing in a new slurry pit which must be completed in time for the winter housing of his suckler cow herd.

Mr Jones assured Mr Evans he would raise the non-payment issue with the Assembly’s rural affairs minister Elin Jones.