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Row over foot-and-mouth funding Row over foot-and-mouth funding
(about 9 hours later)
Rural affairs minister Elin Jones says she is "disappointed" that the UK Government has not so far given aid for Welsh farmers hit by foot-and-mouth.Rural affairs minister Elin Jones says she is "disappointed" that the UK Government has not so far given aid for Welsh farmers hit by foot-and-mouth.
She was speaking after allegations that money destined for Wales and Scotland was withdrawn after a possible general election was abandoned at the weekend.She was speaking after allegations that money destined for Wales and Scotland was withdrawn after a possible general election was abandoned at the weekend.
Ms Jones said she would fight on for UK aid for farmers hit in Wales.Ms Jones said she would fight on for UK aid for farmers hit in Wales.
UK Environment Secretary Hilary Benn denied that foot-and-mouth cash was in any way linked to an election campaign.UK Environment Secretary Hilary Benn denied that foot-and-mouth cash was in any way linked to an election campaign.
The row erupted after Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said he had seen a leaked copy of a draft statement by Mr Benn which agreed sums of £8.1m for Scotland and £6.5m for Wales.The row erupted after Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said he had seen a leaked copy of a draft statement by Mr Benn which agreed sums of £8.1m for Scotland and £6.5m for Wales.
Speaking at Westminster, Mr Salmond alleged that the passage was omitted from the statement delivered in the Commons on Monday, once any election had been called off.Speaking at Westminster, Mr Salmond alleged that the passage was omitted from the statement delivered in the Commons on Monday, once any election had been called off.
Not compensationNot compensation
The Scottish first minister said he had written to Gordon Brown to protest.The Scottish first minister said he had written to Gordon Brown to protest.
Ms Jones told BBC Radio Wales on Wednesday she was "disappointed" that there was no funding for Wales coming from the UK government.Ms Jones told BBC Radio Wales on Wednesday she was "disappointed" that there was no funding for Wales coming from the UK government.
She said: "My discussions with Defra and the UK treasury remain in order to access funds from the UK treasury reserve to meet some of the costs that are being met by the assembly government ....for helping farmers in Wales."She said: "My discussions with Defra and the UK treasury remain in order to access funds from the UK treasury reserve to meet some of the costs that are being met by the assembly government ....for helping farmers in Wales."
Around £7m had so far been spent helping farmers affected in Wales, said the minister.Around £7m had so far been spent helping farmers affected in Wales, said the minister.
She refused to comment when asked if funding was first approved by the UK treasury and later withdrawn.She refused to comment when asked if funding was first approved by the UK treasury and later withdrawn.
Welsh exports have been hit by the foot-and-mouth outbreakWelsh exports have been hit by the foot-and-mouth outbreak
"All I can say is that the position for the Welsh government remains that in order to meet the costs associated with helping Welsh farmers to recover from the foot-and-mouth outbreak, then it's our position that that money should be met by (the) UK Treasury.""All I can say is that the position for the Welsh government remains that in order to meet the costs associated with helping Welsh farmers to recover from the foot-and-mouth outbreak, then it's our position that that money should be met by (the) UK Treasury."
Later Mr Benn issued a statement saying:"There is not a word of truth in the allegation that a possible election had anything to do with decisions on funding for the foot and mouth crisis, and I very much regret that this is being used in this way'' Later Mr Benn issued a statement saying:"There is not a word of truth in the allegation that a possible election had anything to do with decisions on funding for the foot-and-mouth crisis, and I very much regret that this is being used in this way''
He added: ''As we do not yet know what the full cost will be for all of us, we have decidded that our existing budgets should carry the cost for the moment. He added: ''As we do not yet know what the full cost will be for all of us, we have decided that our existing budgets should carry the cost for the moment.
"Both Defra and the devolved administrations are always able to approach the Treasury once we know what the full picture is.''"Both Defra and the devolved administrations are always able to approach the Treasury once we know what the full picture is.''
Defra said they wound not comment on leaked documents.Defra said they wound not comment on leaked documents.
A spokesperson said a package for English farmers was being met out of Defra's exisiting budget.A spokesperson said a package for English farmers was being met out of Defra's exisiting budget.
"However, we do not know yet what the full cost of this outbreak will be or whether this can be met in full by the Defra budget. Scotland and Wales are considering their own measures to assist farmers.""However, we do not know yet what the full cost of this outbreak will be or whether this can be met in full by the Defra budget. Scotland and Wales are considering their own measures to assist farmers."