Welsh Government quizzed over new scheme for young farmers

Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas asked about the new Young People into Agriculture scheme during rural affairs questions in the Senedd.

Mid and West AM Simon Thomas, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Climate Change and Rural Affairs said,

“The entry scheme for young farmers is the result of an agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government, and £6 million has been allocated for this. It’s open at the moment, and I know that many people have applied, and many people are discussing this scheme. Generally speaking, there’s been a warm welcome to it. Now, a few questions have arisen in response to the adoption of this plan.

“First of all, people are asking whether it’s possible to have more of a conversation and more of a response from Government in terms of submitting an application and how applications develop, to understand whether that application would be appropriate.

“People are also raising the desire to ensure that the plan focuses specifically on young farmers, some of them a year or two into their business, but able to benefit from this scheme to develop their business, and in so doing, as we discussed in the Assembly, developing a cohort of people that will lead the industry as we face some of the challenges that have already been discussed here. I asked the Cabinet Secretary to keep an eye on this programme as it gets towards the closing date and ensure there is sufficient flexibility within it to meet the needs and objectives agreed.”

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths promised to keep a very close eye on the fund.

The funding is offered in the form of working capital that will offer the new entrants flexibility with their businesses.