Ceredigion NFU Cymru members were told recently that expressions of interest to enter the new Glastir scheme would be included on their Single Application Forms next year but the Minister for Rural Affairs, who is also their local Assembly Member, Elin Jones, told them it was entirely a voluntary scheme.
Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, said, "NFU Cymru described the Glastir Scheme as radical when it was first announced. Radical can be good or bad and it is my challenge to make it a success by making sure it is good for, and attractive to, the farmers of Wales. If farmers don’t buy into the scheme it won’t work."
Elin Jones told local farmers that she wanted the application process for this new scheme, which was announced just a couple of weeks ago, to be easy and simple to complete so it didn’t add any unnecessary burden. She said her vision was that farmers could go in to their local divisional office and discuss their individual needs before signing any agreement.
Over 60 NFU Cymru members attended the meeting with their local Assembly Member, which was held on the farm of Meirion Jones and his family, in Lledrod, near Tregaron.
Dai Evans, NFU Cymru County Chairman for Ceredigion said, "I appreciate that there will be winners and losers with this new scheme. I think I agree with the Minister however, we shall wait and see as we haven’t had all the details yet and as with everything – that’s where the devil is!"
Richard Tudor, a beef and sheep farmer, and former County Chairman, listened to what Elin Jones had to say but did feel that the Welsh Assembly Government had perhaps ’missed the boat again’. He said, "There is nothing in this announcement about food production. We need to produce food for the ever increasing population. What about going back to encouraging farmers to produce food?"
In response, the Minister told those present that she didn’t feel that there should be a line between land management and food production. She said, "The Single Farm Payment continues to support farming and food production whilst Axis 2 measures look at land management. It will be every farmer’s individual business decision to enter Glastir."
The new Glastir Scheme will start in 2012 and Welsh Assembly Government officials are currently working up the detail and want to engage with industry representatives, including NFU Cymru, to make sure it’s a workable scheme.