Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has praised the Minister Elin Jones’ adaptability over the announcement on transitional Tir Mynydd payments, but remains concerned that there is still a long road ahead to provide clarity and improve the scheme before it is fit for purpose.
The Minister acknowledged calls to delay the implementation of the new Glastir scheme but has decided to proceed with its introduction, with Tir Mynydd payments to be made on a transitional basis, at a rate of 60% of current levels in 2012 and 30% in 2013.
Mr Bates comments:
“I am pleased that the Minister is showing adaptability in acknowledging the concerns of the farming industry over the current proposals for Glastir. However, I remain concerned that forging ahead with the introduction of the scheme before resolving all issues and providing clarity to the industry will do more harm than good.
“The Minister has confirmed that existing agreement holders in Tir Cynnal and Tir Gofal will be offered an extension of their annual management payments. Every applicant to Glastir will be guaranteed 60% of current payments in 2012 and 30% in 2013. Now we need clarity over the conditions under which the transitional payments will be made and whether farmers will need to meet all of the points required to enter the Glastir scheme to be eligible.
“These transitional payments will help mitigate the financial impact that some farmers will face when they enter Glastir, but the clarity over the level of payments is only a candle in the dark in terms of the wider concerns that remain. It is clear that there is a long road ahead to improve the scheme before it is fit for purpose.
“Many farmers are uncertain how the scheme will work, are worried that it will be too onerous or impractical or that it focuses on the wrong issues, such as conservationist Dr Simon Spencer, who quit Tir Gofal over fears that wildlife farming will be destroyed by the introduction of Glastir.
“I hope that we see more and more information released on how the scheme will operate, to ensure that farmers can support the Glastir scheme. Agri-environment schemes are crucial but we must ensure that they are workable if they are to have the desired benefits and reward farmers fairly for their efforts.”
