Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has welcomed the decision to establish an independent review panel to make Glastir more workable and states that a lower points threshold and extended application period will be crucial to overcome the low Glastir application levels to date.
Farmers in Wales intending to join the All-Wales Element of the Glastir scheme in 2012 were asked to submit their applications by 22 November 2010. A statement by the Minister Elin Jones confirmed that a total of 2904 applications have been received.
Commenting, Mr Bates said:
“The implementation of Glastir has been a source of confusion and frustration for many farmers across Wales. There is a consensus of support for the principles of simplification, more integration between agri-environmental management and food production and the need to increase the viability of hill farming, but too many farmers have been put off by the over bureaucratic application process.
“During the Single Application Form process in the spring 15,298 applicants expressed an interest in the Glastir scheme. This has resulted in only 2,904 Glastir applications, which is a huge setback for the excellent agri-environment work that has been achieved through previous schemes.
“I welcome the decision by the Minister to set up an independent review panel to make the Glastir scheme more workable. There are fundamental changes needed to make the scheme more practical and more attractive to farmers and I hope that the Welsh Government acts quickly on the advice of the panel.
“The application process presents farmers with a complicated menu of forty options which is overwhelming. Options should be grouped to simplify the application form and break down the perception it gives that the whole scheme is hugely complex.
“An extended application period should be given to allow more time to explain and promote Glastir, so that as many farmers as possible understand and see the advantage of entering the all-Wales element and then the targeted element of the scheme. The current entry threshold is too high and acts as a discouragement and should be lowered to attract more applicants.”
