Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Caution urged over BPS challenge

Published

on

Caution urged: William Powell AM

Caution urged: William Powell AM

FOLLOWING recent speculation that a legal challenge may be made against the current Basic Payment Scheme, an AM has urged farmers contemplating such a move to proceed with extreme caution.

The Herald has heard that there was widespread discussion over the scheme by lowland farmers and those set to lose out under the new flat rate, which was introduced after a protest by hill farmers last December.

According to the Farmers Guild, groups of farmers in what are described as ‘traditional lowland areas’ have been holding informal meetings to discuss the possibility of High Court action.

Lib Dem member for mid and west Wales William Powell said that while he recognised ‘the disappointment and trading difficulties that the Deputy Minister Rebecca Evans’ recent announcement may bring to certain farm businesses,’ it was important to look at the wider picture:

“The ‘perfect storm’ facing Welsh agriculture is genuine, with the collapse in farm gate prices for milk, combined with disappointing lamb prices and New Zealand produce being imported into Walesinunprecedentedquantities. Information that I have gleaned from banks involved in supporting Welsh agriculture indicates that later this year we are in real danger of large scale cash flow problems leading to farm bankruptcies across Wales. In this context, we should be very careful what we wish for. Any action triggered by a section of Welsh farmers that threatens delay in vital BPS payments for all has the potential to unleash a disaster,” he warned.

After a 12 week consultation on alternative BPS options, more than 230 responses were received. Deputy Minister Rebecca Evans said that in choosing the right way forward, she ‘had to balance the weight of stakeholder feedback with our policy goals as set out in the consultation.’

“Within those goals, which were generallysupportedbytheconsultation responses, my stated top priorities were toensure Walesmeetstherequirements of the EU Regulations and to be able to make payments as soon as possible in the 2015 payment window,” she added.

“Option C – a flat rate by 2019 – is my favoured option. It treats all farmers equally in moving payments to the same value per hectare by 2019 in five annual steps, meets most of our policy goals, including providing opportunities for new entrants; and it gives a clear basis on which our farmers can plan for the future.

“I have also decided that we will apply the redistributive payments option alongside Option C. This will provide a softer transition for many.

“Implementing a flat rate payment by 2019, coupled with a redistributive payment covering the first 54 hectares of each claim, offers the best balance of meeting our policy and operational requirements on the one hand, and addressing feedback from the stakeholders on the other.”

As with the preceding system, some farm businesses would benefit, while others would lose out. It is estimated that around 67 percent of Welsh farmers – those with less than 125ha of land will benefit from the new measures. This equates to almost 11,000 farmers.

However, the remaining 33 percent will be worse off. Of nearly 5,500 farmers in this category, around 1,300 will lose more than £2,500 PA.

Mr Powell AM emphasised that getting a firm commitment from the Welsh Government to undertake a comprehensive remapping of Welsh farm land should be a priority:

“Farmers seeking an equitable and sustainable payments system to support Welsh agriculture in the future should join my call for comprehensive remapping of Wales’ farm land. In order for this to be achieved – and to secure greater confidence in the industry – farmers and their representatives in Wales should take a proactive role in the European referendum, due to take place next year.

“Given the uncertainty triggered by David Cameron’s In/Out referendum, we need a strong voice from Welsh farmers, stressing the importance of tariff free access to European export markets and a fair CAP regime. Only our continued membership of a reformed European Union – such as that advocated by EU Agricultural Commissioner Phil Hogan at the Royal Welsh Show – will allow that to become a reality – and secure the future of the industry.”

Mark Williams, Chair of FUW in Montgomeryshire, added: “I wholeheartedly agree that the farming industry should be united and hands-on in its support of maintaining our membership of the European Union. To leave the EU would be hugely detrimental to farmers across Wales and the UK and I very much hope that farmers can provide a strong and positive voice in support of a vote to remain a member European Union.”

Continue Reading
1 Comment

1 Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Rugby Weekly – Tenby’s promotion push continues

Published

on

It’s crunch time for all rugby clubs around the county, whether promotion is their aim or fighting relegation or even just trying to improve their league position, it’s now or never. 

Last weekend saw an important win for Fishguard in division two west which should put any relegation fears to bed completely. James Griffiths added an impressive 18 points for the Seagulls as they defeated Nantgaredig 33-19. 

Elsewhere in the second division, Milford were beaten 32-8 by a good Lampeter outfit. The Mariners are still a little too close for comfort with the drop zone but should have enough quality to see them safe. 

At the other end of the table Tenby sit in second place and have played fewer games than leaders St Clears and third place Lampeter. They won impressively again last weekend, beating Pontyberem 64-19 at Haywood Lane. Fletcher Broadhurst impressed with two tries as did Hywel Baker who also grabbed himself a brace. Another excellent performance in an outstanding season so far in which promotion would be the absolute icing on the cake. 

In Division Three West, Pembroke were well beaten by Laugharne 74-15 in which the outstanding Liam Price and Nico Setaro both crossed the whitewash 4 teams a piece. The latter also added 7 successful conversions. 

There was a local derby at Pill Parks where Llangwm hosted Pembroke Dock Quins and it was an exciting clash. The visitors won narrowly 28-23, Craig Barnett and Gethin Bradney both scored two tries for the Quins. The Wasps battled hard and will be proud of their performance, Gethin Thomas impressed for the hosts with two tries of his own but it wasn’t enough to secure the points. 

St David’s hosted the high flying Cardigan outfit and were unable to score in reply to the visitors 20 points, with it ending 20-0. The Saints however won’t be losing too much sleep over it as they have had a great season so far. 

Continue Reading

Business

Stephen Crabb leads inquiry on retaining community bank services  

Published

on

PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP, and Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee Stephen Crabb is leading an inquiry in Parliament that will investigate the closure of high street banks in Wales, as well as access to cash.

In November 2023, Pembrokeshire saw the closure of Lloyds Bank in St Davids, and in the coming months both Barclays Bank and Halifax in Haverfordwest are set to close. In recent years, Wales has experienced a rapid decline in the number of high street banking services available to the public. Already in 2024, 23 high street bank closures have been announced in Wales, while automated teller machines (ATMs) declined by nearly a quarter between 2018 and 2023.

The Committee willconsider how declining high street banking services are impacting vulnerable people and small businesses across Wales, who are often more reliant on cash than digital banking. It will also examine how Wales is being affected by the loss of high street bank services, and whether the problem is worse in Wales than other parts of the UK.

Mr Crabb is a staunch advocate for retaining community banking facilities, especially in rural communities like Pembrokeshire where many local branches remain the only source of face-to-face banking provision for miles.

Recently Mr Crabb challenged Barclays Bank senior management on their decision to close the bank branch in Haverfordwest– a move that will see Barclays not only pull out of the county town, but means they won’t have a branch left anywhere in Pembrokeshire. He has also engaged with LINK – the UK’s largest cash machine network – and continues to campaign on the basis that a Banking Hub is established and that ATM machines should be retained or installed, especially in areas worst affected by the closures.  

Following the launch of the inquiry, MP Crabb added: “It is really sad to see so many banks across Wales closing as online banking grows in popularity. Despite the advantages of online banking, for a rural community with an ageing population like Pembrokeshire, bank branches hold huge importance as they offer face-to-face customer service.”

“I am acutely aware of the inconvenience that the bank closures locally have already caused following hundreds of replies from constituents to my ‘online banking survey’ ”

“I am looking forward to gathering further evidence on this subject through the committee’s inquiry, and will continue to put pressure on the relevant stakeholders to ensure that adequate alternative provisions are made through the establishment of banking hubs as well as the instalment of ATM machines where necessary.”

“In this inquiry, we are particularly keen to hear from those likely to be directly affected by the shift away from cash and physical banks. I encourage anyone with first-hand experience of losing banking services to give evidence to the Committee”

Continue Reading

Business

Trains resume between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock as works end

Published

on

TRAIN services resumed this morning (Thursday 28 March) after ten days of essential round-the-clock work to upgrade track and drainage between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock.

The railway was closed from Monday 18 March to Wednesday 27 March to allow Network Rail teams to replace more than 200 metres of track and 300 tonnes of ballast (track stones) between Pembroke station and Pembroke Dock.

Work to improve the drainage between Narbeth and Kilgetty stations was also completed at the same time.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “This essential work in Pembrokeshire demonstrates our commitment to improving the reliability of the service we provide to passengers along our route.

“We know that replacing the track can be disruptive and very noisy, so I would like to thank the residents of Pembroke for their patience while our team carried out this crucial work.”

Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales said: “We’re pleased that our colleagues in Network Rail have completed this essential work and that Transport for Wales rail services resumed today.

“We’d like to thank passengers for their patience while this work has progressed and look forward to welcoming passengers back in time for the Easter weekend.”

Continue Reading

Business14 hours ago

Stephen Crabb leads inquiry on retaining community bank services  

PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP, and Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee Stephen Crabb is leading an inquiry in Parliament that...

News1 day ago

Police ask motorists to avoid A44 trunk road due to heavy snowfall

DYFED-POWYS POLICE have issued an appeal to motorists to avoid a 25 mile section of the A44 trunk road between...

Crime2 days ago

Woman will quit the booze after seeing shocking drunken video in court

A HAVERFORDWEST woman this week vowed to undertake ‘a complete alcohol abstinence’ after being shown court video footage of her...

News3 days ago

Family heartbroken by loss of ‘larger than life character’ in M4 crash

THE FAMILY of the man who died in a collision on the M4 motorway say ‘he will be greatly missed...

Business3 days ago

Victory for WASPI women but the fight goes on

A LANDMARK ruling by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman could benefit around 5,000 women in Ceredigion born in the...

Entertainment5 days ago

A night to remember: Symphonica Tywi’s ‘Film Fantastics’ was a triumph

ON SATURDAY (Mar 23), Haverfordwest High School was ablaze with the soaring melodies and dramatic scores of some of cinema’s...

News5 days ago

Memorial for all those affected by Covid-19 unveiled at County Hall

A LASTING tribute for Pembrokeshire loved ones lost during the Covid-19 pandemic and those working on the frontline has been...

Top News6 days ago

Princess of Wales announces cancer diagnosis and treatment

CATHERINE, the Princess of Wales, has shared her recent health struggles with the public, revealing a diagnosis that has sent...

Charity7 days ago

RNLI lifeguards back on patrol in Pembrokeshire for the Easter Holidays

RNLI lifeguards will be on patrol once again in Pembrokeshire ahead of the Easter holidays. This Saturday, 23 March 2024,...

Community1 week ago

Neglected Pembrokeshire poodles find their forever homes 

THIRTY poodle type dogs were in total rescued after they were found in an unsuitable environment where their owner also...

Popular This Week