Significant Win for Mynydd Epynt Graziers

Farmers with grazing licences on the Epynt MOD range, Sennybridge, stand to gain significantly following representations made to the Welsh Assembly Government by NFU Cymru and the Defence Estates.

To date Tir Mynydd and other support payments from the Welsh Assembly Government have been based on the allocation of land using a historical calculation of six ewes per hectare. Hugh Davies, NFU Cymru Senior Group secretary for Builth Wells said, "As secretary to the Mynydd Epynt Graziers Committee (MEGC) for the last 15 years, I became concerned about the continuing use of a system that had its roots in the old HLCA scheme. Upon further investigation it became apparent that graziers could benefit from a review in the land allocation process."

Following a comprehensive review of land availability on Epynt, NFU Cymru and Defence Estates (DE) approached the Welsh Assembly Government to seek a change in the allocation process. An up-to-date map provided by the MOD, and digitised by the Welsh Assembly Government, showed the extensive area of Mynydd Epynt, enabling the Welsh Assembly Government to accurately record all features and grazable areas for the first time. These proposals were subsequently accepted by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The net result is that the area of land on Epynt allocated to graziers will, with immediate effect, be increased from 7253.16 hectares to 10,048.77. This is an increase of 38.5% on the hectarage allowance which will be shared out between everyone’s licences. This will directly lead to enhanced Tir Mynydd payments and future payments will also more accurately reflect the area of land farmed sustainably by the graziers.

The Defence Estate’s Charles De Winton said, "This success is a result of many months of hard work between myself, Hugh (the committee secretary) and the Welsh Assembly Government. It proves the MOD’s full commitment to its tenants and shows that our Integrated Land Management Plan is mutually beneficial to all our stakeholders."

Hugh Davies concluded, "This is a significant success for both NFU Cymru and all graziers on the Epynt Range. We are most grateful to the Welsh Assembly Government for their commitment to this issue. It has to be remembered however that all areas allocated may change from year to year depending on the licences issued and the number of sheep permitted to graze."