News
Important News for Agricultural Landowners, Tenants and Graziers in Wales
16/10/2009.JPG)
From 2012 certain farming support schemes (such as Tir Mynydd) and all agri-environment schemes will be replaced by a single scheme called Glastir, unless land is already within any remaining Tir Gofal or Tir Cynnal schemes. However, any such remaining schemes will come to an end by 31st December 2013, after which the only agri-environment scheme available will be Glastir. Whilst many farmers in the Welsh Less Favoured Area (LFA) are concerned about the potential loss of income once Tir Mynydd is replaced by Glastir, both landlords and tenants (or landowners and graziers) should also be aware of how the introduction of Glastir may affect their respective ability to claim other subsidies and schemes.
The introduction of Glastir in 2012 will coincide with the end of the “dual claims” under different schemes that can currently be made by separate parties on the same parcel of land. For example, under existing schemes a tenant or grazier can claim the Single Payment (SP) on a parcel of land and upon the same area the landowner can claim agri-environment scheme such as Tir Cynnal or Tir Gofal. However, this practice will not be possible under Glastir, so that only one party will be able to claim any scheme upon a given parcel of land. The matter is further complicated where there is an overlap between the introduction of Glastir in 2012 and any existing or transitional Tir Cynnal and Tir Gofal agreements that do not end until 31st December 2013.
With the above in mind, it may be necessary to review existing tenancies and grazing licences, adjusting them as necessary to ensure that the party that wishes to claim SP and Glastir can demonstrate that they not only have the land “at their disposal” for SP but also have the proper “management control” in order to meet the requirements of Glastir. However, in making such changes to suit this new system landowners, tenants and graziers should be aware of the land tenure, financial and tax implications that may arise. We would therefore encourage landowners, tenants and graziers to seek professional advice to consider the consequences for their land from the introduction of Glastir.
