POST-Brexit arrangements and the future of agricultural policy in Wales were at the heart of discussions when Ceredigion NFU Cymru members met with local politicians Elin Jones AM and Ben Lake MP at an on-farm meeting at Synod Inn.

The meeting was called in response to the Welsh Government’s consultation on the future of farm support in Wales following Brexit.

‘Brexit and our land’ sets out the Welsh Government’s proposals to put in place a new support system by 2025. Detailed proposals will be put forward next spring and legislation will be published by the end of the Assembly term in 2021.

The new scheme will consist of two components – the economic resilience scheme and the public goods scheme.

The Welsh Government intends to phase out direct payments which will bring about a fundamental change in how support for businesses can be targeted. Welsh Government also states that the public goods scheme will enable land managers to be paid for the production for which there is currently no market.

During the meeting, NFU Cymru members voiced their concerns regarding the proposal to end basic farm payments, fearing it would have a massive impact on the Welsh agricultural industry.

They emphasised that farming is so intrinsically linked to the well-being of Wales, the removal of direct payments to farmers would consequently have a similarly detrimental effect on the people and communities of Wales.

Plaid Cymru maintains that any new system following Brexit must provide direct support to active farmers rather than rewarding land ownership in itself. It needs to be ensured that all active farmers continue to be supported in the difficult years ahead as we transition into a new system of payment by outcomes.

Ceredigion MP Ben Lake said: “Plaid Cymru’s preferred approach would be to recognise the importance of sustainable food production by maintaining a basic income style payment, linked and tapered with additional payments for wider environmental and social outcomes.

“The new policy must ensure the viability of the family farm, and introduce a cap on public support to larger, inactive land owners."

Elin Jones AM said: “This is the most significant and important Welsh Government consultation for a generation and it is of paramount importance that farmers across Wales contribute their own views as part of the process – we need to ensure the industry’s voice is heard loud and clear.”

The ‘Support for Welsh farming after Brexit’ consultation ends on 30 October 2018