Organic scheme funding must not jeopardise development of sustainable farming in Wales - Mick Bates AM (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Organic scheme funding must not jeopardise development of sustainable farming in Wales - Mick Bates AM

October 22, 2008 12:00 AM

Following the announcement today that funds for the Organic Payment Scheme will be increased from £3.1million per year for 2009-11 to £7.5m in 2009-10 and £5.5m in 2010-11, Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has welcomed the additional funding, but has criticised the Minister for tightening purse strings on agri-environment schemes which may jeopardise the development of sustainable farming in Wales.

Commenting Mick states:

"Organic farming in Wales has a great deal of potential and the increase in funding for the Organic Payment Scheme is good news for Welsh agriculture. This will allow for an expansion of organic farming in Wales, supporting farmers as they diversify their business so that the industry can become more sustainable in the years to come.

"However, I am disappointed that the Minister has been forced to steal money from other areas of her budget in order to pay for the rise in organic farmers, which will mean that agri-environment schemes will suffer as a result.

"There are currently 22 Tir Cynnal payments waiting to be paid and 435 Tir Gofal payments currently not validated and due for payment. Yet the Minister has now put a temporary halt on any further new Tir Cynnal agreements and will reject all Tir Gofal applications that do not reach the 100 point score required to join the scheme.

"The Assembly Government is looking towards the development of sustainable agriculture, but they are not helping by delaying payments and cutting budgets in order to fund other schemes.

"Tir Cymru is a sustainable way to protect Welsh farming and countryside and has real environmental and economic benefits for rural communities. It is vital that this scheme does not suffer as a result of the Minister tightening purse strings in one area of her portfolio, in order to loosen these purse strings in another."

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