A crisis surrounding significant delays from Welsh Government in making hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of payments to farmers on Anglesey is deeply concerning, according to the island’s Assembly Member Rhun ap Iorwerth AM on the eve of the Anglesey Agricultural Show.

Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Minister for Economy and Finance has met with farmers, union members and agents regularly over recent months and raised concerns with Welsh Government on their behalf regarding delays of up to five months in processing payments, with a total of over £200,000 believed to be owed to the island’s farmers.

Mr ap Iorwerth called the situation a crisis, adding his belief that Welsh Government has been far too slow in dealing with this issue, with the prospect of a devastating No-Deal Brexit also causing concern to the island’s farmers.

Mr ap Iorwerth said:

“I am deeply concerned regarding the significant delay in making payments to Welsh Farmers. A number of famers, union members, and their agents have been in contact with me over the last few months regarding the unacceptable delays they are facing in receiving these essential payments.

“I have written to Welsh Government and I am concerned that they are far too slow to respond to what is a crisis for the farmers involved. One agent representing farmers on Ynys Môn has told me that over £200,000 is owed.

“Cash flow is important to any business and where payments are delayed it can have a very real impact on day-to-day operations and business planning for Anglesey farmers.

“The crisis is compounded by the fact that a No-Deal Brexit appears to be ever more likely, which would have a devastating impact on farms and rural Wales in general, and farm businesses need to be on as firm a footing as possible as they head into this Brexit unknown.”