£18,860,993.78

Release/Rhyddhau: Thursday, 09th June 2005

Contact/Cyswllt: Ceirion Rees:
029 2089 8342/ 07733280105/ ceirion.rees@wales.gov.uk 

The Labour Assembly Government must justify their reasons for holding over £18 Million of farmers’ money, says Welsh Liberal Democrat Countryside spokesperson, Mick Bates.
 
In a letter to Mr Bates, the Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside, Carwyn Jones confirmed that the Government was holding nearly £19 Million of farmers’ money.  This money is matched funded on a pound for pound basis from the UK treasury, making the total to be spent £37 million.
 
Mr Bates said: “For months I have been pushing the Minister over how he intends to spend the money.  He keeps saying it will be spend but its time limit is fast approaching.  If it is not spent soon it will have to be sent back to the EU.
 
“This isn’t Brewster’s Millions.  You can’t just go out and spend £37 Million in a short period of time. It does not work that way.  Plans need to be made and farmers’ informed of where their money is going.   
“We need to see some plans and soon. “
 
Notes:
 
The total amount of accumulated modulation receipts available for disbursement in Wales at 31st May 2005 stands at £18,860,993.78.