Local AM fights for Tir Mynydd (Kirsty Williams AM )

Cymraeg
English

Kirsty Williams AM <info@kirstywilliams.org.uk>

Local AM fights for Tir Mynydd

March 30, 2007 5:33 PM

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has welcomed the Labour Assembly Government's defeat in a debate on Tir Mynydd, which will result in a restoration of funding levels for the scheme.

Opposition parties united to back a motion to reprioritise funding allocations within the Assembly's budget, in order to restore the level of Tir Mynydd payments.

Ms Williams said: "It was abundantly clear that this Labour Government does not have a clue when it comes to how the countryside works. I know that many Members enjoy spending time in my constituency, walking in the Beacons and the Black Mountains. What they do not seem to understand is that these areas will not look the same if the upland farms go, and without Tir Mynydd many soon would. The payments are vital to many upland farmers, who we all rely on to help maintain a vibrant, living rural economy. That any Countryside Minister would act to undermine these highly vulnerable businesses is unbelievable, and so I am extremely relieved that the opposition parties in the Assembly sensibly supported the motion to restore this funding."

Notes:

· In a debate at the Assembly on Wednesday, a motion was passed to reprioritise the Environment, Planning and Countryside budget. A full transcript of this, and all other, Assembly debates is available at www.wales.gov.uk.

· The Government announced in the spring of last year that the Tir Mynydd budget would be cut from £36 million to £24 million this year and to £22 million next year. In January, it emerged that they intended to cut the budget further to £15 million in 2009. Under the motion that was passed on Wednesday, the budget will be £29 million in 2008, and £25 million in subsequent years.