Bates calls for Government to support demoralised farming industry

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 25th Sep 2007

Mick Bates today called on the Government to do more to support Welsh farmers as Bluetongue becomes the latest crisis to threaten agricultural businesses.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Farming spokesperson Mick said: "Farming in Wales is a demoralised industry. I'm worried about the long-term economic impact of Foot-and-Mouth and Bluetongue. Jobs have already been lost, and no doubt there are more to follow.

"I've called on the Government to take a long-term look at how this affects farmers in Wales because I'm concerned that the market could be depressed for a long, long time.

"We've already seen delays in payments for Tir Gofal. The Minister has twice now refused to sanction early payment of the Single Farm Payment. But I know there are many Welsh farmers who have no cash to pay their feed costs, costs that have increased tremendously over the past year.

"The industry in Wales has been hard hit by Foot-and-Mouth. Bluetongue is a further blow to farming. I hope the Government will be stepping up their campaign to promote Welsh produce in supermarkets - to give the industry a boost when it's most needed."

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