Montgomery Welsh Parliament member Russell George has called for a package of support for dairy farmers to be brought forward in Wales.

There have been reports in recent weeks that some farmers were having to pour away milk because of the collapse of the food service and hospitality sectors during the coronavirus lockdown.

In England, a hardship fund has been set up allowing dairy farmers to cover some of their lost income from April and May, but that won't apply in Wales because agriculture is devolved.

And Mr George has now asked for an "urgent bespoke package of support for Welsh farmers".

He said: "Dairy farmers across the United Kingdom are struggling, but the situation is particularly sensitive in Mid Wales, with a substantial number receiving significant price cuts, delays to payments and in some cases forced to chuck milk away due to non-collection.

"We're some two months into this crisis and regrettably the Welsh Government has offered very little in the way of support for the industry and the silence from the Rural Affairs Minister has been deafening.

"There is real despair within our rural communities here in Montgomeryshire at the lack of action from Cardiff Bay and the announcement from the UK Government shows what can be done with the right leadership.

"Instead of wasting time pursuing the implementation of costly and unpopular NVZ legislation at a time of crisis, the Welsh Government needs to direct government energies into delivering an urgent bespoke package of support for Welsh farmers."

The Welsh Government has said it expects to make an "imminent announcement" on support for the dairy sector.