Politicians clash at NFU conference
6 February 2001
Politicians clash at NFU conference
By FWi staff
POLITICIANS from four political parties clashed during a speakers panel at the National Farmers Union AGM in London on Tuesday (6 February).
Junior agriculture minister Joyce Quin said food production was an essential role for farmers, but countryside stewardship was increasingly important.
Ms Quin said the government had now implemented a series of measures to help farmers promised during the Downing Street farm summit last March.
These included the reduction of red tape and the introduction of various schemes, including the programme to restructure the pig industry.
“I believe our action has shown that we want to work with the NFU and the agricultural community,” she told conference delegates.
But shadow agriculture minister Tim Yeo said that government inaction was jeopardising the future of farming which was vital to the future of Britain.
“The present crisis is so severe and the governments response so feeble that the very survival of agriculture is threatened,” he told delegates.
None of the 26 million pledged by the government to restructure the pig industry had so far left the Treasurys coffers, claimed Mr Yeo.
Liberal Democrat rural affairs spokesman Colin Breed called for the government to ensure that subsidies are paid on time to farmers.
Mr Breeds comments came as it emerged that fewer than three out of five producers in Wales entitled to beef suckler subsidies had received the payments.
And he urged the government to pay farmers agrimoney before the April deadline to help offset the strong Pound, which has weakened subsidies.
“Farmers need to know that its going to come not to be told a few days before the end of April,” Mr Breed added.
Welsh shadow first secretary Ieuan Wyn Jones said there should be no major reforms to the European sheepmeat regime which is up for review.
The regime was worth 100m to Welsh sheep farmers, he said, and that money was vital for the countryside and rural areas.