New funding package for farmers ‘will bring clarity’

A FUNDING package worth more than £80m has been earmarked for agri-environmental measures in Wales.

Part of the money, announced by Rural Affairs Secretary Lesley Griffiths, will be targeted at agriculture pollution. But most of it – some £62.9m – will be used to extend all Glastir Advanced agreements, including underlying Glastir Entry elements. It will also underwrite all current Glastir Commons and Glastir Organics contracts until 2021.

As part of this package, a further round of Glastir Small Grant applications will be offered, which Mrs Griffiths said will support ongoing environmental work and ensure a “smooth transition” to Wales’ new Public Goods Scheme.

A further £16m will be allocated to the Sustainable Production Grant. This, said the minister, will be used to help farmers prepare for the introduction of new water quality regulations by improving their nutrient management.

“It will help the industry face the upcoming challenges of Brexit alongside the immediate and ongoing problems associated with agriculture pollution,” said Mrs Griffiths. “Importantly, the funding will also help farmers transition to our new Land Management Programme. The extension of all Glastir Advanced, Commons and Organics agreements to 2021 will provide certainty for land managers.”

Last month the minister announced she was abandoning a voluntary approach to cutting agricultural pollution of rivers and lakes. Instead all-Wales regulations will be introduced in January 2020 and the Sustainable Production Grant will now be geared to helping farmers adapt.

The current Farm Business Grant will also continue so that farmers can invest in new equipment and machinery.

Mrs Griffiths added: “As we prepare to leave the EU in just over three months, it is more important than ever that we do all we can to improve the productivity of farm businesses across Wales. This funding package will maintain the lasting benefits of the current RDP, help farmers adapt and help the agricultural sector thrive in a post-Brexit world.”

FUW president Glyn Roberts said: “The clarity as to where available funding will be spent to 2021 is welcome” – but warned that disproportionate regulations would undermine the positive impact of such funding.