12.9% reduction in the rural affairs budget announced in the Welsh Government's draft budget
The reduction means a cut of £50m to support farming in Wales, which represents a u-turn on the government's promise to the sector when we left the Common Agricultural Policy in 2016
Responding to the Welsh Government’s Draft Budget 2024-2025, announced today, CLA Cymru Director, Victoria Bond said:
“The dramatic 12.9% reduction in the budget means a hollowing-out of some £50 million to support farming on the ground. This represents a volte face on the Welsh Government’s “not a penny less” promise made to the sector when we left the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in 2016.
The Welsh Government must provide clarity about how the reduced budget will actually impact investment in farming, and demonstrate its commitment to the future of sustainable agriculture and its critical role in achieving the Welsh Government fundamental goals. This news of further cuts in the budget closely follows the reduction in resourcing for the interim farm support scheme, Habitat Wales, which already jeopardises many vital initiatives to meet net zero and natural conservation goals.”