NDM6881 Plaid Cymru debate - Direct Farm Payments

NDM6881 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the essential role that the basic payment scheme currently plays as a basis for the viability of the Welsh family farm, rural communities and the broader economy of Wales, and the importance of direct payments with regard to providing stability in periods of uncertainty.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that support for farming in Wales is targeted at active farmers who take financial risks related to food production.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to maintain an element of direct payments for farmers after Brexit.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

1.  Notes the UK’s decision to leave the EU in March 2019, including the Common Agricultural Policy and its system of farm support including the basic payment scheme.

2.  Supports the Welsh Government’s:

a.  pledge to continue to support farmers to keep them on the land and protect our communities;

b.  aim to design the best system for farm support in Wales, set out in the recent consultation on Brexit and our Land, including investment for food production and support for public goods; and

c. guarantee that no changes to income support will take place without further consultation, no new schemes will be designed without a proper impact assessment, and no old schemes will be removed before new schemes are ready.

3.  Calls on the UK government to provide urgent confirmation that Wales will not lose a penny of funding for farming as a result of exiting the EU.

4.  Welcome the Welsh Government’s decision to maintain the basic payment scheme in 2020 as part of a multi-year transition.

Consultation: Brexit and Our Land

Amendment 2 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new points at end of motion:

Recognises that under the Common Agricultural Policy, and during the course of the UK’s membership of the European Union, the number of farmers and the productivity of farms has decreased in Wales.

Calls on the Welsh Government to use the new powers coming from the UK's departure from the EU to create a farming and rural support scheme which serves the unique needs of the rural and agricultural economy in Wales.