‘Alarm bells' over revamped farming scheme
Ponting to a poll showing only three per cent of farmers trust Labour Welsh ministers, he said the industry waited more than seven years for clarity on replacements for EU subsidies.
Mr Kurtz, who is from a farming family, criticised plans to cut the basic payment scheme (BPS) by 40 per cent for those who choose not to sign up to the SFS.
He said: 'This reflects what would have happened had the SFS launched in 2025 but it didn't launch… so, now farmers are being punished for that failure.'
He expressed concerns about the total £340m budget which would be worth closer to £500m if it had increased with inflation.
He suggested the revised SFS prioritises tree planting over food security.
Huw Irranca-Davies, Wales' deputy first minister, said: 'We've analysed the potential impacts of the scheme and that has helped us make the decisions that we've come to."
He told the Senedd an impact assessment will be published in September.
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