Farmers to be hit financially as Welsh Government changes payment scheme

Minister for Natural Resources and Food in Wales, Alun Davies announced on the 14 January 2014 how millions of pounds worth of European agricultural funding will be shared between farmers in Wales and used to develop the industry.

Speaking in the National Assembly, the Minister set out his vision for farming in Wales and how direct payments to farmers will be allocated to Welsh farmers under Pillar one of the Common Agricultural Policy funding for 2014 -20, with a view to placing Wales’ farming industry on the strongest footing for the future.

However, farmers' leaders in Wales warned they will be less competitive in Europe after the Welsh Government revealed the blueprint

Wales: Welsh Government: Press Release, 14.01.14: Key decision made on the distribution of Common Agricultural Policy funding http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/environmentandcountryside/2014/140114cap/?lang=en

Wales: Welsh Government: News: Tag: CAP reform http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/?f=currentissues&v=CAP+reform&view=Search+results&lang=en

Wales: Welsh Government: Topics: Environment and Countryside: Common Agricultural Policy http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/?lang=en

BBC News, 14.01.14: Farmers in Wales handed new payment system http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-25718034

NFU Wales: Press Release, 14.01.14: NFU Cymru reacts to Minister's CAP Announcement http://www.nfu-cymru.org.uk/news/nfu-cymru-reacts-to-ministers-cap-announcement/

FUW: Press Release, 14.01.13: FUW says Government must act to minimise impact of new payment system http://www.fuw.org.uk/read-press-release/items/fuw-says-government-must-act-to-minimise-impact-of-new-payment-system.html

BBC News, 21.01.14: Average Welsh farm business income drops 30% http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-25829334

---