The deferred application window for Glastir announced by the Welsh Assembly Government this week is regrettable, but making the scheme comprehensive and accessible for farmers is the most important thing, according to Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates.
Following the inclusion of a new option for maintaining existing stock fences on stock excluded woodland, the Welsh Assembly Government has deferred the application window for joining the All-Wales Element of Glastir. Application packs to join the All-Wales Element will now be issued from 4 October 2010 and applicants will have until 22 November 2010, to return their completed application forms.
Commenting, Mr Bates states:
“It is regrettable that the application window for Glastir has been deferred, but the most important thing is to get the scheme right and make it comprehensive and accessible for farmers. I welcome the new eligibility option but the Welsh Government should have listened to the industry and got this right from the start.
“The scheme devised by the Welsh Government has caused great confusion and too many farmers are still unsure of the entry criteria for the All-Wales element, or how to benefit from the new scheme. I hope that the deferred application window gives farmers enough time to get to grips with the new requirements. I’m finding the application form difficult to understand and will be attending one of the Welsh Government surgeries to find out more.”
Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Candidate Wyn Williams adds:
“The deferred application window is good news for farmers but I still have many concerns over the Glastir scheme. The cost of undertaking some of the work required to get the right number of points may be prohibitive and prevent some farmers from accessing the scheme. Some farmers will have completed work for Tir Gofal and Tir Cynnal which will not be counted under Glastir.
“There is a danger that a lot of good work could be lost as farmers may look to increase the commercial use of their land to make up for the decreased revenue. This would be detrimental to our environment and defeat the whole object of Glastir and I hope the Minister will urgently address these concerns.”
