Glastir scheme must be delayed, committee told

Schemes set to be replaced by the groundbreaking proposal - Tir Mynydd hill farming support, Tir Gofal and Tir Cynnal agri-environmental schemes and the Organic Farming Scheme - should also be extended for the same period.

During an evidence-gathering session in Dolgellau today (Wednesday, February 17), Richard Vaughan, the chairman of the FUW’s Land Use and Parliamentary Committee told sub-committee AMs that farmers had not been given enough time to consider the implications of Glastir on their businesses before the application window opens.

“Feedback from farmers who have participated in the pilot scheme suggests that Glastir is not as easy to enter as is being suggested by the Assembly Government,” said Mr Vaughan.

“The FUW believes the scheme needs to be fully piloted before being rolled out.

“We have already made representations to the Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, asking her to defer its implementation - and nothing has occurred to change our feeling.

“The scheme should not be rushed out to meet an Assembly Government timetable which may result in the need for its early review if farmers do not enter the scheme.

“We see no reason why the scheme is being rushed through and we have pressed home the fact that it should be deferred so that it can be put together with thought, utilising the practical experience of the unions to ensure it is workable and realistic.”

Mr Vaughan said the union also doubted whether the Assembly’s divisional offices would be able to cope with farmers’ applications and interviews in 2010.

It also believed the Assembly had severely underestimated the ability and knowledge required by farmers to develop their own plans by the time they go to interview.

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