The Proposed New Farm Payments System

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 2:05 pm on 17 July 2019.

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Photo of Nick Ramsay Nick Ramsay Conservative 2:05, 17 July 2019

You'll forgive me for not missing an opportunity, Minister, to invite you to a farm in my constituency, given that you have been visiting farms across Wales, to hear some of their issues and their concerns. It's a very good initial question by Michelle Brown. There are concerns out there and the farmers unions have highlighted some of them. I appreciate that there are issues around the Brexit process and uncertainties, issues that are currently outside of your control, but things like the new land management scheme are within your control. Can you give us an assurance, and farmers an assurance, that, yes, the environmental factors that are very important are going to be there in the way that they deserve, but also that issues like production will come into this scheme as well? Because I think we do need to see farmers being recompensed, or however you want to call it, instead of the current subsidy system, but supported for producing food, which is of course their primary aim.