ASSISTANCE FOR WELSH FARMERS

Early day motion 410, tabled 6 November 1997 by Martyn Jones (Labour). Signed by 9 members.

That this House notes that 69 per cent. of farmers in Wales earn less than ú10,000 per year and is concerned for the livelihood of all Welsh farmers; notes that on 1 May there were huge rural swings to Labour and that in Wales the Labour Party took the majority of the rural vote by county constituency and therefore accepts that, following the disastrous record of the previous Tory Government, the new Labour Government has a great responsibility; is concerned that farmers in Wales are having a very tough time and acknowledges that they do need more help; accepts that the cut in the over thirty months scheme has not helped the situation but acknowledges that this cannot be blamed on the present Labour Government; notes that if it was not for the incompetence of the previous administration and their gross mishandling of farming and feed supplies there would not have been a need for the over thirty months scheme in the first place; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture to undertake to fund further help for Welsh farmers within the very real constraints imposed by the need for prudent spending.

Signatures by party: Labour 9.