Welsh Lib Dems urge Rural Affairs Secretary to deliver working payment scheme for Welsh farmers

This week in the Senedd, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have urged the new Rural Affairs and Climate Secretary to deliver a payment scheme that works for Welsh farmers.

The call comes after it was announced on Tuesday that the controversial Sustainable Farming Scheme is set to be delayed until 2026.

The scheme has previously been heavily criticised for the harsh conditions it would have placed on farmers seeking government funding.

Speaking in the Siambr, Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds MS urged the Welsh Labour Ministers to listen to the concerns of both the agricultural sector and rural communities,

The party leader also demanded that the Welsh Government should deliver a payment scheme that “farmers could have faith in”.

Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said:

“I welcome the Welsh Government’s commitment to resetting this flawed payment system, as well as their willingness to finally listen to farmers who have been ignored for far too long.

I can only hope that from these conversations stems a payment scheme that farmers can have faith in.

But this will only happen if Welsh Labour Ministers are willing to openly engage with our agricultural and rural communities, something that they have been hesitant to do in the past.

For too long, agriculture policies have been disconnected from on-the-ground realities, breeding intense frustration and distrust from the very same people we are meant to be representing.”