A combination of Net Zero targets, an increasing demand for carbon offsets and Welsh Government tree planting targets are driving a rapid acceleration in the sale and loss of Welsh farmland to investors seeking to capitalise on the future carbon market.
To help address concerns regarding this trend, the Farmers’ Union of Wales is hosting a special breakfast webinar on Wednesday 19 January via Zoom, commencing at 8am. To help provide some solutions for Welsh farmers and policy makers, a panel of campaigners, farmers, foresters and soil scientists join the FUW for a thought provoking discussion.
The event, which is chaired by FUW Policy Officer Teleri Fielden, will hear from New Zealand based 50 Shades of Green campaigner Mike Butterick, who is also a Wairarapa beef and sheep farmer. Mr Butterick will be outlining how carbon market investors in NZ are driving an unsustainable loss of farmland to blanket plantations of unharvested exotic pines. He will also share their experience and lessons learnt to help ensure Wales’ rural communities do not follow in their footsteps.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement that the 2022 direct payment budget will be maintained at 2020 and 2021 levels.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has raised its concerns regarding proposed changes to the registration and reporting of livestock movement. In its response to the Welsh Government's 'Changes to Livestock Identification, Registration and Movement Reporting Consultation', the Union highlighted numerous areas where the proposals would lead to increases in costs and bureaucracy for farmers.
