“Red Rhodri” must save Tir Mynydd

Release/Rhyddhau: Tuesday, 20th June 2006

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

Montgomeryshire Farmer and AM, Mick Bates, has appealed to the Labour Assembly Governments “Socialist principles” to save the Tir Mynydd scheme.

In an exchange with First Minister Rhodri Morgan in the Assembly today, Mr Bates challenged the government to “stand by socialism” and key the scheme operating.

Commenting Mick said:  “Last week the Countryside Minister said about farming:  ‘We are talking about an industry that is about as close to socialism as you can get.  It is an economy that is subsidised, and needs state aid in order to survive. The farmers of Wales should be grateful that there is a socialist aspect to farming policy.”

“If the Labour Assembly Government truly believes this, why are they cutting a scheme that seeks to help some of Wales’ poorest farmers?

“When I challenged the First Minister on this issue he didn’t seem to understand what Tir Mynydd was or what cutting it would mean to the economy of rural Wales.

“Both Carwyn Jones and Rhodri Morgan need to go back to the drawing board, understand what is important to Welsh farmers and save the Tir Mynydd scheme.”