Labour failing Welsh farmers - Opik

3.30.38pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 13th Apr 2007

Labour has failed hill farming communities across Wales, Lembit Opik MP said today. Prior to a visit to a hill farmer in Pontypridd with local Assembly candidate Mike Powell, Mr Opik said:

"Welsh hill farmers have had a raw deal from this Labour government, who cut vital support grants in this year's Assembly budget.

"The Tir Mynydd scheme supports agri-environmental projects across Wales, but the £12 million shortfall in this year's budget will hit Welsh farmers hard.

"Enterprising farmers like Hopkin Smith are being forced to find business elsewhere, running team-building courses for corporate businesses. I applaud Hopkin for his business sense, it's just a shame the Labour Government can't match his enthusiasm with support for the farmers."

Mike Powell said: 'Labour has ignored the voices of farmers for too long. Farmers are important to Valleys communities as well as more rural areas. Complacency from the government means they are being overlooked.

"Welsh Liberal Democrats want to restore Tir Mynydd funding to the level before it was drastically cut this year. Welsh Liberal Democrats in Partnership Government pushed through Farming Connect, a one-stop advice shop for farmers offering business support and suggestions for diversifying.

"In their rush for votes, I haven't seen Labour offering anything as useful.

"Labour has taken the Pontypridd electorate for granted for too long. Welsh Liberal Democrats are promising a better deal for hill farmers, a better deal on affordable housing and a better deal on class sizes. I won't take people in Ponty for granted."

Notes/Nodiadau:

Lembit Opik MP and candidate Mike Powell (Pontypridd), Karen Roberts (Rhondda), Andrew Sherwood (South Wales Central) will be visiting local farmer Hopkin Smith at his farm in Upper Boat today at 2.30 today (Friday).

As well as running a hill farm, Mr Smith runs executive team-building courses and also offers activities such as clay pigeon shooting and archery to disadvantaged children in the area. To attend, contact Karen Roberts on 07990573591

Ends/Diwedd