WG’s ‘Brexit and our Land’ consultation has been launched which details a proposal on how support will continue to be provided to Welsh Farmers. Five principles were set out by Lesley Griffith AM, which underpin the proposed reforms;
Principle 1 – Keep land managers on land
Principle 2 – Food production is vital for the nation
Principle 3 – Ensure farming and forestry business can be prosperous and resilient post Brexit
Principle 4 – Future support to focus on delivering additional public goods
Principle 5 – New schemes should be accessible to all
Welsh Governments Proposals;
To be able to achieve these principles WG are proposing a new Land Management Programme (LMP) which will replace the existing Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which currently supports eligible farmers through annual payments of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS)
Two main component scheme’s have been suggested to provide support, it is considered that land managers will benefit from participation in both schemes.
Economic Resilience Scheme
– Investment for economic actives, in particular food production and timber production.
This proposed scheme will support increasing market potential of produce, improving productivity, supporting diversification, effective risk management and knowledge exchange, skills and innovation.
Public Goods Scheme
– A direct support for public goods delivery, in particular for the environment.
This proposed scheme will support reducing flood risk, carbon reduction and habitat improvements.
Implementation of the Schemes
WG have proposed no changes will be made to the BPS for 2018 & 2019 including any Glastir support.
From 2020, WG are proposing a transition to the new scheme which will be a phased reduction in BPS area payments as the adopted schemes are introduced.
Why not have your say
Brexit and Our Land proposals are subject to consultations until 30th October 2018. Responses from the consultation period will then be considered in Spring 2019. We consider that land managers should be making a response to WG on how the proposals will affect their individual circumstances.
A series of meetings have been organised by WG across Wales to give land managers the opportunity to have their say. Please refer to this link for dates and venues of each meeting; https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/welsh-government-consultation-brexit-and-our-land
The Welsh Government are also inviting consultations online, email and by post, this link provides further details; https://beta.gov.wales/support-welsh-farming-after-brexit. Alternatively, we would be pleased to receive any comments you may have which can be submitted to WG on your behalf.
“Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable” – William Pollard.
