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Mick Bates

Press Releases 2006

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Farmer’s livelihoods are being put at risk while the government invents mythical European rules. That was the view today from Welsh Liberal Democrat Countryside spokesperson, Mick Bates.

Speaking after today’s debate on the Assembly’s draft budget, Mick said:

“The Labour Assembly Government has so far been committed to cutting the Tir Mynydd scheme. That is despite evidence that suggests any cuts will have a negative effect on the rural economy. As Labour continue in their plan to plough funding in to the South Wales Labour heartlands, they forget the needs of rural Wales.

“For months now I have been receiving phone calls from farmers worried about the effect the proposed cut would have on their livelihoods. Any cuts would have a knock on effect in the rural economy as a whole, painting a pretty depressing picture.

“In her budget letter, Sue Essex says that the European Court of Auditors recommends the cessation of the Tir Mynydd Scheme. That claim is less than honest, to say the least. No-where in the European Court of Auditors report, ‘Rural Development Investments: Do they effectively address the problems of rural areas?’ does it say the scheme must close.

“Labour’s plans will slash a third of farmers payments this year, and 40% next year. This action – inspired by Labour’s hostility to all things rural – threatens the already precarious existence of thousands of hill farmers.

“If Welsh farming is going to survive it needs a government with a clear vision for rural Wales. This budget proposal demonstrates that the Labour Government don’t have that.

“I’m pleased that the draft budget was defeated today and I hope the government will now go back to the drawing board, realise the importance of Tir Mynydd and reverse the proposed cuts.”

Notes:

Paragraph 7 of the executive summery of “Rural Development Investments: Do they effectively address the problems of rural areas?” published by

European Court of Auditors reads:

“Overall, the Court finds that no assessment can be made whether rural development investments are effective. Objectives are too broad and strategies to implement the policy are lacking. There is no balanced achievement of the two main objectives of the RD policy. In order to achieve this, the Commission should work with the Member States towards improved effectiveness of the policy. Important elements in this respect include clarifying the objectives and developing principles of effective targeting (see paragraphs 64-69).”

The full report of “Rural Development Investments: Do they effectively address the problems of rural areas?” can be found at:

http:⁄⁄www.eca.eu.int⁄audit_reports⁄special_reports⁄docs⁄2006⁄rs07_06en.pdf