Direct Payments for Farmers

Part of 3. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 2:47 pm on 24 October 2018.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:47, 24 October 2018

So if you want to listen, we said before the consultation started basic payment schemes would end. I've been clear on numerous occasions—you will have heard me say it at the Royal Welsh Show, you will have heard me say it in the Chamber, you may have heard me say it in committee, and I've certainly said it at my round-tables, so all the stakeholders were very aware of that. We have to support farmers in a better way. So, it is a consultation on the entire common agricultural policy replacement, as I've said. 

We've proposed two large flexible schemes: the economic resilience scheme and the public goods scheme, and that's what we are proposing in relation to income support for our farmers. In relation to Sue Hayman, it might be of interest to you to see the letter that Sue Hayman has sent to the president of NFU Cymru today, which has been copied to me, and then you'll see why I said what I said. So, I think that's a very important point for you also. 

You also referred to the open letter that I sent to farmers. Brexit is unprecedented. I think that was the word you used—that I had made an unprecedented move. It's perfectly appropriate for Welsh Government to provide further clarity on its proposals. We want an engaged and informed debate. And I have to say, I was really concerned when we brought this very long consultation forward that we'd see a bit of Brexit fatigue. It's great that we haven't. It's really good that we're engaging in a way—. You were at the event, as was I, at lunchtime hosted and sponsored by Paul Davies. I think it's great that we're having this consultation. But it is a meaningful consultation. If anybody's undermining it, it's you. I don't want that taken forward. I want people to understand that those responses that we receive—and we've had thousands, literally, in—. It doesn't close until Tuesday, and I'd be grateful if everybody could bring forward their views.