Concerns for LFA farmers in new Glastir scheme

The union has told an Assembly rural development sub committee inquiry that it believes officials have failed to carry out a full and proper economic analysis on the effects of Glastir on less favoured area farming businesses.

“Our major worry is that the 20 per cent top up that LFA farmers will receive within the entry level of Glastir is the only feature of the scheme available to recognise the difficulties and additional costs associated with farming in such areas,” says John Owen, the union’s LFA board chairman.

“Without proper economic analysis how can the Welsh Assembly Government justify that this figure has been correctly set?

“Over the past decade net farm incomes on LFA farms have varied between just £1,600 and £15,900.

“The support delivered via Tir Mynydd has been the difference between people staying in the uplands of Wales. depopulation and land abandonment.”

In its submission the union also highlights the role of the uplands in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

“It is estimated that the soil in Wales contains over 400 mega tonnes of carbon, the majority located within the uplands,” says Mr Owen.

“Protecting and growing this store will become ever more important as the impacts of climate change take effect and as such there is the need to re-assess what value society puts on this role.”

The union argues that the current EU-wide method of basing agri-environment support payments on an income forgone basis alone was flawed and instead farmers should be rewarded for the public and environmental good they did in terms of climate change mitigation, improving water quality and maintaining and improving a bio-diverse landscape.

“Upland farmers can deliver on the significant challenges ahead - but this cannot be achieved without the recognition by the Welsh Assembly Government that there are additional costs associated with achieving what society expects and needs from the uplands of Wales,” adds Mr Owen.

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