Carwyn stalling over Tir Mynydd - Bates

Release/Rhyddhau: 14/03/06

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

Welsh Liberal Democrat countryside spokesperson, Mick Bates, has accused Carwyn Jones of "sleepwalking over the future of Tir Mynydd".

On December 6th last year Mick wrote to the Countryside Minister expressing concern over the future of payments.  However, he only received a response to his letter on March 13^th this year.  That's a total wait of 107 days!

Mick said:  "Carwyn Jones is clearly stalling over the future of Tir Mynydd.  It makes me think that he's got something to hide.  The future of the scheme is big news at the moment.  Just last week farmers from all over Wales came to the Assembly to protest about potential cuts in payments.

"There is real concern that payments will be reduced.  Farmers are worrying about how that would impact on their business, but the Minister does not seem to care, or even notice.  Why else would it take him over 3 months to respond to my letter?

"There remains a great deal of uncertainty on this issue.  Carwyn Jones needs to get his act together.  He needs to reassure farmers that their payments will not be cut.  He needs to reassure farmers that their futures are safe. We can't wait another 100 days for an answer!"