Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 2:34 pm on 15 September 2021.
Thank you, Minister. Yes, you mentioned the vaccine that could be available in four years' time, but this new test, Enferplex, is being delivered on the ground already, so that really does show that there is impetus within the agricultural community to get this issue sorted once and for all.
However, there also remains nervousness within the industry around the future of the Glastir Organic, Commons and Advanced agreements that are due to expire on 13 December this year. These agri-environment schemes play an important role within the Welsh agricultural industry, but farmers are now nervously awaiting an announcement as to whether these contracts will be extended for a further 12 months or more. An extension is not uncommon, and Minister, you said yourself that the Glastir replacement, the sustainable farming scheme, would not be introduced until it is absolutely ready. With the industry having first been told a decision would be expected in July, and then late summer, can you please provide clarity over the renewal of these schemes, to give Welsh farmers some level of certainty?