PLAID Cymru has called for action to support farmers who have yet to receive payments from a Welsh Government land management scheme.

A topical question from Simon Thomas AM revealed that the Welsh Government has pushed back the repayment window by another month.

Some farmers have been waiting over 18 months for payments from the Glastir scheme, which offers financial support to farmers for improving sustainable land management, he said.

Mr Thomas, Plaid Cymru AM for Mid and West Wales and the party’s energy, climate change and rural affairs spokesperson said: “In April we called on the Welsh Government to ensure farmers were paid as soon as possible and to be informed of when they would expect their payments. It’s clear today that the Welsh Labour Government has failed to do both.”

Mr Thomas also said: “The Cabinet secretary for environment and rural affairs said in April that they hoped all but the most complex Glastir payments would be completed by the end of May. Today, she has pushed this date back until June”.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have prioritised BPS (Basic Payment Scheme) claims as the value and number of farm businesses receiving these payments is significant. Over 99 per cent of farm businesses have been paid.

“Rural Payments Wales is now focusing on processing all outstanding Glastir claims. RPW is working hard to pay all but the most complex cases in the coming weeks.”

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