Glastir – a cause for concern

Concerns raised by NFU Cymru about Glastir have today been echoed by the conclusions of the National Assembly Rural Development Sub Committee’s inquiry into the new agri-environment scheme.

Lack of information was a recurring theme throughout the evidence, both written and oral, according to the sub-committee report out today, which takes the form of a letter to the Rural Affairs Minister. A lack of information which was reiterated, this morning, when Welsh Assembly Government representatives met with NFU Cymru Board members to discuss the details of the scheme.

The Rural Development Sub Committee in its findings today has stressed to the Minister for Rural Affairs, Elin Jones, how crucial it is that the Welsh Government provides proper information to farmers on the impact of Glastir, how it will work and the transitional arrangements that will be provided.

NFU Cymru’s call to the Welsh Government to adapt the points scheme to make Glastir more accessible has also been echoed in the Rural Development Sub Committee report. John Davies, NFU Cymru’s Food & Marketing Group Chairman, was present at this morning’s meeting, he told the government officers present, "I have tried the points system, now available online, and failed to get into the all-Wales scheme.

"I am disappointed that certain options are not available, for example, feeding high sugar content grasses to cattle to cut gas emissions. I believe that many of these issues could have been properly assessed if NFU Cymru’s request for a formal consultation on the all-Wales element of Glastir was taken up." A number of other delegates present had also looked at the points system and found themselves unable to enter the all-Wales element.

Amongst the other recommendations made today by the Rural Development Sub Committee to the Rural Affairs Minister, which have also been highlighted by NFU Cymru are:

• The Government must consider whether its offices have the capacity to deal with increased demand for support from farmers that may result from the implementation of this new scheme.

• Clarity about why the Government has decided to end dual land use payments in Wales. An assessment should be carried out on the impact of the change on landowners and tenants in Wales and the effect it is likely to have on the number of farmers applying to join the scheme.

• A review should take place of the Government’s proposal to depend on Graziers Associations for the implementation of Glastir on common land.

NFU Cymru is pleased that the Rural Development Sub Committee has made a recommendation to the Minister for Rural Affairs that if all the issues of concern are not fully addressed before introducing the new scheme then it should consider reviewing the timetable. NFU Cymru has said on many occasions that the time-table set for the introduction of this new scheme is too ambitious and should be deferred until such time as the details of the scheme are right.

Following today’s meeting NFU Cymru President, Ed Bailey, will be writing to the Minister again, to stress the continuing concerns raised by members from across Wales.