NFU calls Glastir Announcement a 'step but not leap in the right direction'

NFU Cymru has described the Minister for Rural Affair’s announcement this morning as a step but not a leap in the right direction and an acknowledgement that more work needs to be done to refine the Glastir scheme before it is fit for implementation.

The Minister stated she was aware of calls for the scheme to be deferred but has decided to proceed with the implementation of Glastir, with Tir Mynydd payments being made on a transitional basis, at a rate of 60% of current levels in 2012 and at a rate of 30% in 2013.

Ed Bailey, NFU Cymru President said, "Elin Jones’ announcement is recognition of our concern that deficiencies still remain with the new Glastir scheme. We welcome her acknowledgement of the fact that those currently participating in agri-environment schemes are struggling to meet the points required to enter the All-Wales element of the scheme. Whilst transitional Tir Mynydd payments will mitigate some of the loss to these farmers, they will still face a reduction in their income in the future. The Minister’s decision today will help, but many concerns remain and much needs to be done before we can see this scheme as being genuinely fit for purpose."

Mr Bailey continued, "Many changes have been made to the scheme and more information continues to become available as time goes on but I am concerned that farmers who signed for transitional Tir Cynnal and Tir Gofal agreements, towards the end of last year, should now be given the opportunity to review their decisions in the light of current information."

Today’s announcement follows on from concerns expressed recently by NFU Cymru representatives at a meeting with the Minister in Meirionnydd, following which she agreed to carry out a pilot of some 40 farmers to establish whether they could reach the required level of points to enter the scheme. Half of those approached failed to gain sufficient points.

Ed Bailey concluded, "The Welsh Assembly Government needs us to deliver on its aspirations for combating green house gas emissions, climate change, water management and bio-diversity and if it doesn’t work for farmers because the prescriptions are too onerous or the scheme is impractical it will simply fail, not just the farming industry, but the Welsh Assembly Government and society in general. We are therefore committed to continuing our dialogue with the Welsh Assembly Government to get the detail of the scheme right."