Local Lib Dems survey highlights Medway farmers payment concerns

*pic by alan wells

One of the many things that makes Medway so special is its rich agricultural heritage, it is part of who we are. We want to increase support, reduce bureaucracy and open up new markets, to ensure that Medway's agricultural industries have a positive future. There's a real need to ensure that rural and agricultural voices are heard and Medway Liberal Democrats want that conversation.

Alan Wells, Medway Liberal Democrats candidate for Strood Rural said, "Last month I sent a survey to farmers across the Strood Rural ward. The feedback we received raised concerns about the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) for farmers. They told us that direct payments must stay until the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme can be fully rolled out in 2028, as they cannot afford to lose half their BPS income over the next five years.

As a result of the Government's plan to replace BPS with the ELM scheme, farmers are expected to lose half their current payments, which is deeply concerning. Tory MPs have once again shown that they are not prepared to act in the interests of our local farmers. I am calling on Parliament to protect and support our agricultural communities and food producers."

Medway Liberal Democrats are looking at the future of Medway farming and we know that they are ready to deliver high quality, sustainable food produced in harmony with the environment and animal welfare. Yet time and time again this Conservative Government has badly let down farmers and rural communities. We want to maintain existing farm payments in full until the ELM scheme is ready and tested.

New analysis reveals farming income in the South of England has fallen by £61 million in just one year. The Government's new overseas trade deals have been partly blamed for the hit to our region's farming industry and farmers are now coping with spiralling costs. To improve the lives and purses of Medway's farmers and consumers, we are developing nationally policies to improve food and farming. Locally, our goal is to give new hope to rural communities in every corner of Medway and Kent.

ENDS

Notes for Editors and additional text: Defra figures tell us an average of 85 per cent of livestock farm incomes come from the basic payment.