Welsh government and NFU Cymru at odds over Glastir

The Welsh Government has accused farming leaders of “mischief making” for suggesting that farmers in disadvantaged regions have been failed by green scheme policies.

NFU Cymru has claimed that the abolition of Tir Mynydd – a scheme tailored for Wales’ most challenging terrain – left farmers with no alternative.

Unlike Tir Mynydd, the replacement scheme Glastir, does not recognise the difficulties associated with farming in the hills and uplands of Wales.

But Wales’ deputy minister for agriculture, Alun Davies, dismissed the claim.

“There’s been too much mischief made on this matter and farmers deserve better,” said Mr Davies.

“Agri-environment schemes are not income support schemes. They are designed to compensate farmers for income forgone and costs incurred,” he said.

The mechanism for delivering income support for farmers, including those within LFAs, is the Single Payment Scheme which has an annual budget of £270m in Wales, Mr Davies said.

Glastir has been designed to replace existing agri-environment schemes.

“These schemes were brought to an end with good reason – they could not achieve our broader sustainability objectives on tackling climate change through carbon, water, soil, and habitat and bio-diversity management or deliver our legal requirements under EU law,” added Mr Davies.

He suggested that a number of the new options included in Glastir, such as mixed grazing supplements and the new low input grassland option, also offer greater flexibility to upland farmers.

“I am rather surprised that we are getting complaints about receiving potentially more support. It is very disappointing that rather than working with the government to make Glastir a success for all involved, there are some who are trying to scupper the scheme. Glastir is here to stay,” he said.

John Owen, chairman of the NFU Cymru LFA Board, recently spoke out against the ending of Tir Mynydd. He said the support would be “sorely missed’’ and would be a huge blow to upland areas.

Farmers can get involved with a consultation on Glastir by emailing glastir.stocktake@wales.gsi.gov.uk


What is wrong with the Glastir scheme? Have your say on our forum on Glastir.

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