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Liz Saville Roberts and FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones.[/caption]
The Farmers' Union of Wales Meirionnydd branch has expressed its anger and disappointment at the proposed closure of the Rural Payments Office (RPW) in Dolgellau as part of an internal strategic review of its premises by Welsh Government.
“This facility is of tremendous importance to Meirionnydd farmers, which is used on a regular basis,” said FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones.
“We have written to local MP Liz Saville Roberts and Dafydd Elis Thomas AM and further contacted the divisional office at Caernarfon to express our concerns.
“The FUW will fight hard to safeguard this service which is so important to farmers. Whilst it is accepted that more and more issues are dealt with on-line, there are a large number of farmers who have got no broadband which makes it impossible for them to run a 21st century business.
“Friday is an important market day at Dolgellau, and it is vital that the RPW office remains open. Any prospect of closure would also in time affect businesses in Dolgellau itself,” added Mr Jones.
Dwyfor-Meirionnydd MP, Liz Saville Roberts, called for Welsh Government to ensure that the RPW office remains in Dolgellau.
“The Government must undertake a thorough consultation into the potential impact of closing this office before announcing recommendations. This should include a detailed breakdown of the savings they anticipate making, and, importantly, an assessment of how this will affect the quality of the service provided to farmers.
“They should also be prepared to explain how this matches with sustainability targets. How is it fair for farmers to have to bear the cost of driving to Caernarfon when it is evident that agricultural officers working at Dolgellau once a week on market day is both cheaper and more effective in terms of face-to-face communication and the number of people helped?
“Meirionnydd is a rural area whose communities are greatly dependent on agriculture. I am concerned that Welsh Government is reducing its presence in one of the most important services it provides for this region,” said Ms Saville Roberts.