FARMING communities in North Wales are facing destabilising cuts to their incomes as the Welsh Government push ahead with plans to scrap basic farm payments, Arfon’s MP and AM say.

Hywel Williams MP and Sian Gwenllian AM have spoken out amid concern that many farmers will be exempt from the new payment scheme, thus losing all the help they say they have previously relied on to survive.

The Plaid Cymru politicians added that the further potential impact of Brexit on the rural economy could put many local farmers out of business.

Both Mr Williams and Ms Gwenllian say they have taken the matter up with the Welsh and Westminster governments, pressing for the continuation of the basic farm payment scheme.

Following a meeting with the Farmers Union of Wales last week, Ms Gwenllian said: “Having been in contact with farmers in my constituency, I am deeply concerned about plans to replace the basic farm payment scheme with the untested ‘land management programme’. This new scheme being consulted upon raises several potential problems and many farmers will be denied the necessary support due to a new eligibility criteria, meaning they will lose out on help which has served as a backbone to the viability of their business.”

“The Welsh Government are going in precisely the opposite direction – destabilising one of our key industries at a time when it desperately needs some financial security.

“Plaid Cymru will be putting pressure on Welsh Government to think again, and indeed to think for one minute about the potential effects of their proposal. Wales needs its farms, and our farmers need support.”

Mr Williams added: “It is vital that that all farmers should continue to receive a basic income.

“Any new system post-Brexit must 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.

“It is vital that the family farm continues in Wales as farmers – whether they are land owners or tenants – are the stewards of our environment and they also contribute economically, socially and culturally.

“We are urging our farmers in the Arfon area to make their voices heard through responding to this consultation as soon as possible.”