In February, Alun Davies, the Welsh Government’s Natural Resources and Food Minister, gave his reassurance in a statement to Assembly Members that the government would continue to recognise the benefits of organic farmers and gave more details of its new scheme to support organic farming.
“Back in 2011 I set out my intention to ensure Wales has a stand alone scheme to support organic farmers under the next Rural Development Programme, and last year I asked a consortium, led by the Organic Research Centre to consult with organic producers and advise me on what a new scheme under the next RDP should look like,” he explained.
“Importantly the scheme includes increased support for training and modernisation which … will help to build resilience and long-term sustainability into the Wales organic farming sector.”
Under the new arrangements farmers will be able to join the new stand alone Glastir Organic Scheme and remain eligible for other parts of Glastir. Reimbursement rates for the organic scheme will be reviewed to reflect changing costs for the ongoing maintenance of being organic and there will be reimbursement for ongoing training and skills development. Organic farmers will also have equal access to capital support to modernise infrastructure under the new Sustainable Production scheme and efforts will be made to ensure that conversion payment rates don’t lead to farmers moving to organic without an ongoing strategy for maintaining profitability.
No figures were given for the proposed payment rates for the new scheme but these are expected to be announced this month.
