KIRSTY Williams has joined with farmers expressing their disappointment at the slow implementation of the Rural Development Programme by the Welsh Government.

NFU Cymru expressed its members’ disappointment at the slow progress of the scheme, which is designed to support a wide range of activities in rural communities, but has been plagued but Welsh Government mistakes and delays.

Members were also disappointed to learn that the first Expression of Interest window for the new Sustainable Production Grant Scheme appears to have supported very low numbers of farmers in Wales.

The union’s Rural Affairs Board chairman Hedd Pugh said: “It is now two years since the Welsh Government’s decision to transfer the maximum amount possible (15%) from Pillar 1 to Pillar 2 in Wales – a decision unique in Europe.

“While we understand there were some delays in getting sign-off of the Wales RDP with the Commission, the lack of progress with the roll-out of schemes to support the development of the farming industry has been most frustrating, particularly in the context of the challenging market conditions experienced by all sectors during the past twelve months.

“NFU Cymru has been a strong advocate of the investments measure within the RDP as a means to equip the industry with the latest technologies, equipment and facilities. Whilst we welcome the fact that the first round of Sustainable Production Grants applicants have now progressed to the full application stage, the numbers of farmers involved is very small."

Mr Pugh added: “There are now fears that the Scheme and wider RDP will offer support to very limited numbers of farmers despite the fact that all farmers have contributed to the fund via the Pillar transfer.

“It is vital that Welsh Government now presses ahead and announces the dates of the next Expression of Interest window for the Sustainable Production Grant Scheme which must be better resourced than the previous window. This Scheme should be supported by the implementation of a Small Grants Scheme without delay. This will allow many farmers in Wales to make multiple applications for smaller scale investments in the latest technologies and equipment to improve their business and technical performance.”

Ms Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, said: “This is already a very difficult time for farmers, the very last thing they need is dithering over the RDP by the Welsh Labour Government.

“The decision to move the full 15% from pillar 1 to pillar 2 already places Welsh farmers at a disadvantage to the rest of Europe. The time it is taking to now get that money out to rural communities is making that decision even worse.

“The Welsh Labour Government needs to get its act together and start getting the money out to where it is so desperately needed.”