A Mid Wales Assembly Member has lambasted the Welsh Government for its inaction over the basic payment scheme (BPS).
Speaking in the National Assembly for Wales, Russell George, the Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, compelled the Welsh Government to make an urgent statement on the ongoing delays to farm payments.
Mr George, who is also Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, has received dozens of complaints from desperate farmers who are yet to receive letters outlining a timetable for BPS payments.
After questioning the Welsh Government, Mr George said:
“Farmers are desperately seeking urgent clarity on the status of their outstanding claims. The continuing uncertainty over basic payments is having a significant effect on the whole agriculture industry.
“The uncertainty, which I believe can be wholly attributed to the Welsh Labour Government’s mismanagement of this administrative process, has made it impossible for farmers and suppliers to plan financially.
“In spite of my repeated calls for ministerial action to provide clarity to farmers, the Welsh Government continues to keep farmers in the dark about the reasons for the delays or when they will receive their payments.
“The Welsh Government has confirmed that “Rural Payments Wales expect to pay all but the most complex cases by the end of March” and I will be scrutinising the government further on this commitment.”