Commenting on the announcement today (May 9) of a support package for the hard-hit dairy farming sector in Wales, Andrew RT Davies MS – the Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs – said:
“I and my Welsh Conservative colleagues have been demanding support for the dairy farmers throughout the pandemic and lockdown, and finally, after weeks of dithering and deafening silence, the Minister for Rural Affairs has taken some notice.
“It’s better late than never."
The Minister has said that eligible dairy farmers who have lost more than 25 percent of their income in April and subsequently May will be entitled to up to £10,000, to cover 70 percent of their lost income
“However, the announcement today is lacking any real detail; it’s another case from the Labour-run Welsh Government of ‘Let’s bang out a statement, and hope that gives us time to think up a plan.
“Who, for example, will be an ‘eligible farmer’? This is the kind of detail needed to reassure or hardworking farmers, who manage one of the key industry sectors in Wales.
“This money needs to be made available immediately to make sure our vital agricultural sector suffers no more damage.”