Welsh hill farmer fears devastating impact of Glastir

A hill farmer who stands to lose 40% of his farm income when Wales’ new environmental land management scheme is in place predicts that Glastir could have a devastating impact on Welsh upland farms.

Hedd Pugh (left) has three sons who all want to farm but he questions how sustainable the future will be under Glastir for this next generation.

Mr Pugh runs a flock of Welsh Mountain ewes on 654ha of land that rises to 880m (2900ft), with only 81ha of this classed as improved ground.

The farm had been in stewardship schemes for the past 18 years but was 300 points short of meeting the 18,312 it needed to qualify for Glastir’s All Wales element. “We have planted trees, double-fenced and put up bird boxes as well as making many other environmental improvements but I am struggling to get enough points to get into Glastir,” said Mr Pugh, of Blaencywarch, Dinas Mawddwy, Meirionnydd.

“I have been through the form many times but can’t see how I can make up the final 300 points I need.”

He said the criteria for gaining points within Glastir differed from the existing schemes to such an extent that some of the improvements he had already undertaken were ineligible.

“We have looked after the hedges but the points on that are very low. To create new hedges they have to be 3m wide but this would really eat into what little improved land we have. What is wrong with hedges that are 2m wide?

“I just don’t think I’m going to be able to find another 300 points and I really don’t know what that will mean for the business because it will wipe out 40% of our income.”

Under the All-Wales element of Glastir, farmers would be entitled to a support payment of £28/ha, lower than the current Tir Gofal payments, but those in disadvantaged areas will get £33.40.

NFU Cymru said it had lobbied the Assembly government to review a number of issues relating to Glastir, including the 28 points/ha needed to access the scheme.

Bernard Llewellyn, NFU Cymru’s rural affairs board chairman, said the union remained concerned by feedback from members throughout Wales who said the points target was unobtainable.

“We have continually argued that due to the large number of farming types and systems in Wales as large a selection as possible of scoring options was required,” said Mr Llewellyn. “Ultimately, whether farmers enter the scheme or not is a business decision for them but the scheme rules must be flexible enough for those that wish to do so to be able to qualify.

“In most cases expenditure will be necessary to get the 28 points/ha and if that projected level of spending is high, some will decide that the scheme is not for them.”