§ 28. Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Rural Affairs Secretary of the National Assembly on the recent floods in border areas; and if he will make a statement. [151075]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyI have regular discussions with the First Minister which have included both agriculture and flooding. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State also has discussions on a regular basis with both the Assembly Rural Affairs Secretary and the Assembly Minister for the Environment.
In November the Assembly Rural Affairs Secretary announced that farmers who have lost crops would not lose out on European Arable Area Subsidy payments and an extension to the latest sowing date from 15 May to 31 May has been agreed. Farmers in Wales will also be allowed to set aside 100 per cent. of their eligible land where it has been affected by flooding, as well as provision for flexibility in normal requirements for green cover on set-aside land.
On January 25 the Assembly Secretary for the Environment announced plans to spend nearly £25 million over three years on flood and coastal defence in Wales. Much of this work will clearly benefit farmers, as repairs to flood banks will protect agricultural land.
I welcome these initiatives to alleviate the suffering of farmers in Wales resulting from the exceptional recent flooding.