Plaid MEP to lead challenge on UK government's position

Jill Evans MEP today organised a meeting via video link with Conwy County Councillors to discuss how they can influence the debate in Europe on agricultural funding.

The MEP discussed the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) with fellow MEPs Kay Swinburne, Derek Vaughan and Cllr Goronwy Edwards and Cllr Phil Edwards. The final European Commission proposals will be presented in the summer and Conwy Council have submitted a response to the initial consultation phase.

Jill Evans said,

"I commend Conwy Council for their initiative and hard work in submitting this response. Agricultural funding is essential for Conwy, as the sector employs 2,500 workers. Conwy currently receives £23 million a year from the CAP budget and so it's vital that we achieve the best deal for the county.

"I was pleased to answer the councillors' questions today about current developments at a European Parliament stage. The real difficulty however will be in changing the UK government's position.

"While the One Wales government has written to the European Commission to express that the CAP budget must not be cut, the Conservative-led government in Westminster are proposing cuts. This is why I suggested in our meeting today for Conwy Council to get together with elected politicians such as myself, other councils and farming unions to make a statement that we will oppose any moves to cut our farming budget."

Diwedd/Ends