The Farmers’ Union of Wales has today renewed its call for clarity on rural funding for Wales, following Secretary of State Michael Gove’s keynote speech in Birmingham.
Whilst FUW President Glyn Roberts welcomed many of Mr Gove’s assurances, he said certainty was needed regarding issues of critical concern to Wales.
“With around thirteen months to go before we leave the EU, there is still no clarity over the post Brexit funding formula through which Wales will receive an allocation for agriculture and rural development, or how this will be protected in order to prevent distortion between the devolved nations in terms of how much is spent on key policy areas.
“The FUW has made it clear since June 2016 that Wales’ funding should continue at at least current levels, and clarity on this and other matters is essential. England seems to have had these assurances, yet Wales is still in the dark.”
Mr Roberts said the FUW welcomed Mr Gove’s assurance that devolved powers would not be diluted, and that UK Governments were working together on common frameworks, but highlighted the degree to which planning in Wales by both farmers and government was hampered by a lack of certainty.
“With the budget for the 2019 BPS due to be finalised in October this year, there is a real sense of urgency.”
Mr Roberts also highlighted the need for well-meaning policies to be carefully assessed rather than taken at face value.
“Well intentioned policies set out in lengthy sentences must be thoroughly investigated in terms of actual figures and their likely impacts on our farms, rural communities and supply chains,” he said.