Glastir is on its way

FWAG Cyntaf seminar discusses new scheme

Farmers need to decide by the 17^th May, at the latest, whether they are to declare an interest in signing up to the new, all-Wales agri-environment scheme, Glastir.

With this in mind, the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG Cymru) held a seminar for its FWAG Cyntaf (premier membership) members on the 17^th February at Pembrokeshire College. Over 50 people attended to hear the guest speaker, Sue Evans of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA Wales) give an excellent outline of as many of the details of new scheme as are confirmed. Glastir comprises two elements - many of the details of the entry level, or basic scheme have now been released by the Welsh Assembly. These include a scoring chart with which farmers can gauge how their farm will fit in to the scheme by choosing various options, each of which has an allocated points score. The options range from the management of existing agriculturally unimproved habitats through to creating wildlife corridors, growing unsprayed cereals, managing hedgerows and restoring orchards.

Discussions centred around the "dual use" regulation being introduced by the Welsh Assembly whereby in future, only one person can claim payments on a given piece of land. This means that the currently common scenario of one person, perhaps the landowner, claiming Single Farm payment and another, say the tenant, claiming an agri-environment scheme payment such as Tir Cynnal or Tir Gofal cannot continue.

The seminar was chaired by Nigel James, Chairman of South Wales FWAG, organised & introduced by Roger Mathias working with FWAG Cymru with the summing up and vote of thanks by Glenda Thomas, Director, FWAG Cymru. The event was kindly hosted by Pembrokeshire College and generously sponsored by the Countryside Council for Wales, AMC, Bibby's, Lloyd TSB Agricultural and M & I Supplies.

FWAG Cymru are preparing for the anticipated demand for their services as farmers grapple with the intricacies of the new scheme - if you would appreciate assistance - please contact them as soon as possible so that time can be allocated to you.