LFA Farmers Call For Early Payments To Alleviate FMD Hardship
WALES - Calls for early Tir Mynydd payments and an enhanced budget have been made to the Welsh Assembly Government by NFU Cymru's Less Favoured Area (LFA) Board so as to help alleviate the hardship on the hills and uplands of Wales brought about as a direct result of the Foot and Mouth crisis, reports UK Farming.
22 October 2007
1 minute read
John Owen, LFA Board Chairman speaking at a recent meeting of the Board said, "The Welsh livestock industry is on its knees following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth in Surrey. We all have a long Winter ahead of us with many of us carrying more stock on our farms than normal because of poor market conditions and movement restrictions and as a result of this, grass is becoming short. Bringing forward Tir Mynydd payments would help alleviate some of the strains ahead."
The Board welcomed the Welfare Disposal Scheme for light lambs announced by the Welsh Assembly Government as an important scheme in helping to avert welfare problems arising on the hills and uplands of Wales this Winter. They also fully supported Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones' determination to continue to seek Treasury funding to help offset the mounting costs on Welsh farmers as a direct consequence of Foot and Mouth Disease.
John Owen said, "The light lamb scheme goes some way to help alleviate hardship and suffering on Welsh hill farms but it should be part of a wider package of measures to help us through this crisis. A top up to the Tir Mynydd budget would provide an immediate injection of support to 80% of Wales."
