The Farmers' Union of Wales today welcomed deputy agriculture minister Alun Davies' statement following the union's lobbying over farmers' fears that they would be penalised if they withdrew from the Glastir land management scheme should compulsory greening be introduced as a result of CAP reform.
"We have been lobbying the Minister since the publication of the CAP 'greening' proposals as we were concerned those farmers entering Glastir could be disadvantaged if, after 2014, the things they were being paid for under Glastir became compulsory under the new greening element of the CAP," said FUW land use and parliamentary committee chairman Gavin Williams.
"The fact that farmers will now be able to withdraw from their agreements if this becomes a reality is a positive move as is the clarification that any capital items already undertaken can be reimbursed in full," said Mr Williams, of Llynfaes, Anglesey.
"Farmers were concerned that as they had to undertake their capital works early in the scheme agreement, if the scheme then became untenable due to the CAP reforms they would be out of pocket as payments for the works are paid over the five years of the agreement.
"The FUW has lobbied hard on this issue, so we welcome his announcement that Glastir contracts will allow farmers to withdraw from the scheme without penalty or repayment should substantive changes to the scheme be introduced as a consequence of the possible 'greening' of Pillar 1 payments of the CAP.
"We are pleased that the Minister has offered this re-assurance to farmers considering signing up to Glastir this year that they will not be disadvantaged," Mr Williams added.