Lobby group to fight for hill farmers’ interests

Uplands farmers who forced the Welsh government to scrap its moorlands category in the CAP Basic Payment Scheme have formed an official association.

Fairness for the Uplands (F4U) successfully led a judicial review against the Welsh government’s decision to introduce a 400-metre altitude line, which would have split Wales’ moorland in two.

The group has now been officially established as an association, said its new chief executive, Tony Davies.

See also: Wales’ CAP plans in turmoil as moorland scheme ditched

“Due to the continued enthusiasm of upland farmers, the group has now formed an official association,” revealed Mr Davies, who will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation.

F4U will continue to crusade on behalf of hill farmers on a wide range of rural and farming issues, said Mr Davies, who farms 680ha in the Elan Valley, Powys.

“Along with other upland and rural issues, the group aims to represent and defend the interests of upland farmers against unfair and discriminating legislation and policies.”

He said the group had initially been formed overnight last year and was supported financially by upland farmers who felt under-represented by existing groups.

Ceredigion farmer, Dafydd Jones, will chair the association. Vice-chairman Hefin Jones, a beef and sheep farmer from Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, will support him.

Alternative options for Wales’ Basic Payment Scheme are set to be considered in the next week or so, first by the CAP Data Modelling Group, which includes representatives from the farming unions, and later by the CAP High Level Group.

This group’s remit is to take a wider policy view across the reform process.

Wales’ deputy minister for farming and food, Rebecca Evans, said formal consultation would begin when she was satisfied the proposals were ready for “wider consideration”.