Contact/Cyswllt: Sian Cliff
02920 898342 / sian.cliff@wales.gov.uk

Mick Bates AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Farming, today urges the Minister for Rural Affairs to maintain funding provided by DEFRA under the Framework Agreement:

The Framework Agreement was introduced after the original foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 to provide financial support to local authorities. This enables them to carry out the extra duties for the delivery of services in animal health and welfare following the outbreak.

Montgomeryshire farmer Mick Bates expressed his concern in plenary this week that funding under the Framework Agreement is under threat:

“It has come to my attention that DEFRA appears to have made a massive mistake in its accounts and is about to cut this framework funding to local authority trading standards services, which deal with all the licensing and checks.

“I am told that Powys would lose £30,000 which could lead to redundancies and extra pressure on remaining staff. Other councils could be affected in a similar way.

“I have requested a statement from the Minister on this issue but to date we have heard nothing. I have now written to the Minister asking for clarification over whether the current level of funding will remain in place and if not, whether this Plaid-Labour Government has any plans to replace this lost money.

“The funding is vital to maintain an effective and consistent service to all stakeholders requiring advice and licensing. It is unacceptable that at this very stressful time where the industry needs all the support it can get, the Plaid-Labour Government are offering nothing but silence on this important issue.”


End / Diwedd