Glastir uptake figures set for release

The Welsh farming industry will learn on Wednesday (1 February) just how many farmers have joined Wales’ controversial new farmland management scheme.

Deputy farming minister, Alun Davies, will be making a statement to Assembly Members during a Plenary meeting at the Senedd.

Until then the Welsh Government won’t reveal just how many farmers have joined Glastir, although the contracts started on 1 January. Farmers will get their first payment retrospectively, at the end of this year

The Welsh Government is hoping for a bigger uptake than in 2011 when fewer than 3,000 farmers signed up to the scheme.

Since then a review group has recommended 70 changes, many of which were accepted.

Glastir was first unveiled in 2009 and will replace five land management projects.