Following the closure of the Welsh Government’s Brexit and Our Land consultation, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have urged the Welsh Government to carefully listen to the views of farmers and ensure farmers are not let down as they begin to consider their response.

The Welsh Government’s proposed model for supporting farmers and land managers after Brexit involves removing any aspect of direct support and instead focusing on promoting economic resilience and public goods.

The Welsh Liberal Democrat response to the consultation called on the Welsh Government to listen to Farming Unions and introduce a system that retains a strong aspect of direct support.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson Mark Williams said:

Farmers are the backbone of rural communities and it’s essential the Welsh Government creates a farm funding scheme that secures the future of Welsh farmers and all the supply chains they support.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have a proud history of understanding and standing up for rural communities and today is no different. We will continue to fight for the farming support system our rural communities need.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Agriculture Spokesperson Cllr William Powell said:

Welsh farmers face immense uncertainty surrounding their futures after Brexit, as they still don’t know what access to European markets they will have or whether their funding will be protected long-term. It is essential the Welsh Government do all they can to provide much needed reassurance and the climate of certainty so vital for business planning.

We urge the Welsh Government to listen to the FUW, NFU Cymru and TFA and change course. The Welsh Government must maintain a strong element of direct support in their future farm funding schemes to protect the future of Welsh farms. Our food security and our precious natural environment depend upon it.