The Farmers' Union of Wales today welcomed the rural affairs minister Elin Jones' announcement that she will make a full Tir Mynydd payment in 2012.
The minister first revealed her plans at a meeting yesterday with union officials.
Chairman of the FUW's land use and parliamentary committee Richard Vaughan said: “The meeting was held to discuss the next steps forward for Glastir and today’s announcement follows months of lobbying by the union and will give those farmers who have not applied for Glastir this year a bit of added financial security.
“It was a very productive meeting and we hope that the work of the independent panel, coupled with today’s announcement, will prove to be a major step forward.”
At the meeting, the Minister announced that she had decided that all eligible Tir Mynydd farmers will receive 100% of the payment rate per eligible hectare in 2012. This will include Tir Mynydd farmers who will enter Glastir in 2012.
The union will continue to lobby for further transitional arrangements for 2013.
There will be no further Tir Mynydd payments after this.
The change will result in an increased payment to Tir Mynydd farmers and the industry of approximately £2.5m.