1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd on 26 June 2018.
Rhun ap Iorwerth
Plaid Cymru
2. Will the First Minister make a statement on Glastir grant payments? OAQ52433
Carwyn Jones
Labour
1:34,
26 June 2018
The Welsh Government has consistently delivered Glastir payments to claimants in a timely manner, and done so consistently. To date, over £39 million has been paid to Welsh farm businesses during this year. Further Glastir small grants windows will open this year and in 2019 to promote the restoration and creation of vital habitats.
Rhun ap Iorwerth
Plaid Cymru
Thank you for that response. I have spoken to a number of farmers and representatives who have been assisting them in making applications for the small Glastir grants, and that as a result of concern that payments were taking a long time to arrive. The response I’ve had from the Government is that the payments aren’t late, and, technically, that is correct because no time limit is set in relation to how long after applications are made that payments are to be made. When we consider that, especially after a hard winter, cash flow is important to farmers, will you, as First Minister, consider introducing guidelines in terms of setting a time frame in which farmers can expect to receive payment where their applications have been successful?
Carwyn Jones
Labour
1:35,
26 June 2018
I can tell the Member that European Commission regulations were recently changed in order to ensure a window in terms of payments, and that means that Glastir payments will be made between 1 December this year and 30 June next year. For the first time, there will be a window, and during that window farmers can expect payments.
Russell George
Conservative
1:36,
26 June 2018
What other schemes are available to help farmers bring forward environmental schemes on their farmland, other than the Glastir scheme?
Carwyn Jones
Labour
Well, farmers, of course, can look at schemes such as the existing agri-environment schemes. There is the small grant scheme that Members will be aware of, and also, of course, Farming Connect, which can help farmers to become more sustainable in terms of their businesses. So, there are a number of options available for farmers in order to make their practices more sustainable and, of course, to make their businesses more sustainable.
