Agri Environmental Policy

Agri-environment policy in Wales has changed a lot since the first schemes were introduced in 1987.

The original schemes were a mixture of whole farm and part farm agreements and most schemes were only available in certain parts of Wales.

These original schemes have now been closed to new entrants.  New schemes have been created to deal with the management of entire farms across all of Wales.

National schemes

Since its inception seven years ago more than 3000 Tir Gofal agreements have been signed, along with 3700 Tir Cynnal entry-level agreements.

Tir Gofal now covers 330,000 hectares, while Tir Cynnal includes a further 247,000 hectares. Together, they represent over one third of all the agricultural land in Wales.

Policy Developments

In addition to Tir Cynnal and Tir Gofal, work has also begun on the development of a new approach to agri-environment – in CCW’s opinion, a proposed ‘top-tier’ scheme should be based on co-operative approaches involving adjacent farms in management at a catchment scale.

Since 2005, CCW has been contributing to the Welsh Assembly Government’s catchment-sensitive farming pilot scheme on the Afon Tegid and Afon Cleddau.

In addition, together with the Environment Agency, RSPB and Wildlife Trusts, CCW has commissioned detailed research work in order to guide the development of a co-operative land management scheme for Wales. 

How the schemes help wildlife

The recently published Wales Environment Strategy sets very demanding targets for stopping and turning back the decline in the variety of wildlife in Wales.

Agri-environment schemes are now a major tool for managing some of our most valuable species and habitats. 

Farms that contain Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are now being fast tracked into Tir Gofal and CCW welcomes this approach.

How the schemes help the economy

In association with the National Assembly, CCW has commissioned several pieces of research into Tir Gofal’s contribution to the rural economy. These show the scheme making a substantial contribution to safeguarding existing farm businesses as well as creating new jobs in the contracting and supply sectors.