The Welsh Liberal Democrats have announced plans to help hill farmers, recognising the difficulties they face in farming challenging terrain.

They include £20 million package for hill farmers and plans to enable farmers to be able to improve their resilience and competitiveness.

They say they are passionate about protecting Wales’ proud farming tradition and that farmers in Wales produce some of the greatest produce in the world, but too often they are not getting the support they need from an out of touch Labour Government.

Every member state of the EU and each of the UK devolved administrations has some form of financial support for those who farm in difficult areas, all except in Wales. The Welsh Liberal Democrats’ package would end this unfair competitive disadvantage.
The Daily Post has more, quoting Ceredigion candidate Elizabeth Evans:

Also in the party’s agri manifesto, to be launched on a farm in Llanilar today, is a pledge to provide small-scale grants to farmers.

This would help them to diversify, cut carbon emissions and improve competitiveness, said Elizabeth Evans, Assembly candidate for Ceredigion.

She said Wales’ Glastir land management scheme has been a “source of great confusion and frustration” for many farmers.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will simplify the existing scheme and ensure that farmers receive payments on time.”

They also want to help family farms to survive by encouraging succession planning:

This would help boost the survival of family farms, said William Powell, Assembly candidate for Mid and West Wales.

He said: “More needs to be done to support and encourage young people to enter the farming industry.

Read: Bala share farmer named 2015 Welsh Dairy Stockperson of the Year

“We will promote succession planning to combine the experience of the older generation with the energy of the younger generation.

“This will help drive business forward and encourage share farming to help young people get their foot on the farming ladder.