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NFU Cymru’s fears over Glastir have been confirmed with the announcement by the Deputy Minister last week that over 40 per cent of farmers who initially applied for the All Wales Element of the scheme have decided not or have been unable to join the scheme from 1 January 2012.

Speaking at Meirionnydd NFU Cymru annual meeting, President Ed Bailey explained the Union’s thoughts on the scheme and what actions the Deputy Minister should now consider.

Mr Bailey said, "Only 1,698 applications out of 3,000 initially applying to join the Glastir All Wales Element cannot in anyone’s eyes be seen as a good outcome. What is just as damning is the fact that nearly 25 per cent of farmers offered contracts at the end of last year have since decided that the scheme is not suited to their farming systems.

"I believe the main reason for the drop-out is the complexity attached to the application process, the disproportionate amount of bureaucracy required for what is meant to be an entry-level agri-environment scheme and the uncertainty with regard to how CAP Reform will impact on Glastir from 2014."

Mr Bailey continued, "It is also most unfortunate that the positive changes suggested by the independent review group had to be rushed through, allowing little time for farmers to consider them.

"The review of the implementation of the scheme that the Deputy Minister has now promised must address all these issues. The parameters given to the independent review group were too confined and this time around the review of the scheme needs to be more fundamental.

"We remain deeply disappointed that still only 120 farmers are being offered the ACRES carbon reduction element when clearly this part of the scheme is over-subscribed and funds should be transferred to enable more to come in.

"I do take issue with the thinly-veiled threats from the Deputy Minister that consideration could be given to moving the budget allocated to Glastir away from farmers and to introduce additional legislation onto Welsh farmers for not taking up Glastir.

"The Deputy Minister should concentrate on working with and listening to the concerns of farmers during the course of the review. Farmers have historically embraced agri- environment schemes in Wales; the success of Tir Gofal is testament to that. The expressions of interest in Glastir have shown that farmers want to be part of future agri-environment schemes. The challenge for our Government is to ensure this enthusiasm is turned into contracts through a Glastir scheme fit for purpose."

Concluding, Mr Bailey, speaking to farmers in a county entirely within the LFA said, "The problems associated with Glastir, alongside the Deputy Minister’s continued refusal to recognise the difficulties and constraints associated with farming in the hills and uplands of Wales, mean many thousands of farmers in Wales face the loss of a major income stream in 2013. We would urge the Deputy Minister to use the tools available to him under EU Pillar 2 measures to refine Glastir and to re-introduce a dedicated LFA scheme to support Wales’ hill and upland farmers."

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