FARMERS will continue to receive a basic subsidy payment through 2021 – if cash is available from the UK Government – it has been announced at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.
The two day event, at the Llanelwedd showground, near Builth Wells, opened this morning.
As well as stock competitions the event is an opportunity to discuss Wales’ agricultural industry, which is waiting to see how the ongoing general election will impact it and the uncertainty surrounding Brexit.
Ahead of the fair Leslie Griffiths, the rural affairs minister in the Welsh Labour Government, announced it intends to continue to the Basic Payment Scheme of farm support through 2021. However she has said the decision is dependant on the money being available from the Westminster government.
The Welsh Government has consulted on a new form of subsidy payments to farmers but uncertainly surrounding when, or if, Britain will leave the European Union has seen Ms Griffiths announce the current payment system will continue until at least 2022.
She said: "In light of the continuing uncertainty, I am announcing my intention to extend the Basic Payment Scheme to 2021, subject to sufficient funding being provided by the next UK Government for agricultural support.
“Looking further ahead, I intend to continue to support farmers post Brexit but in a smarter way. These will be significant changes for the sector and are entirely dependent on when the UK leaves the European Union and the UK Government providing the same levels of funding to Wales – neither of which have yet been confirmed.”
Farm support payments are currently provided through the European Union.
The decision has been welcomed by the Farmers Union of Wales but the FUW has also said the Welsh Government should commit to providing direct support beyond 2021.
FUW President Glyn Roberts said: "Abandoning direct support that underpins safe, high-quality food production when our key competitors have no intention of doing the same would damage our economy, environment, landscape, language and culture."
The NFU Cymru farming union is holding a general election hustings with representatives from Welsh political parties at its building on the showground at midday today and all are welcome to attend.
This year marks the fair’s 30th anniversary and there will be free entry to the showground after 4pm today with late night Christmas shopping until 7pm and a free fireworks display.