Relief as support for Welsh organic farmers is set to continue

Certified organic farmers in Wales will be able to claim payments of up to £300/ha under a new Organic Support Payment scheme in 2024, introduced to replace the now defunct Glastir Organic Scheme.

Horticultural land will receive £300/ha (previously £400/ha), enclosed land £45/ha (previously £65/ha) and land above the upper limit of enclosure £9/ha (previously £15/ha). Enclosed land with a dairy enterprise will receive £115/ha.

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Rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths said: “I appreciate the immense effort it has taken for organic farmers to build businesses which are both financially and environmentally sustainable.

“On such farms, the sustainable land management practices employed will undoubtedly have benefited the local ecology, often in areas vulnerable to biodiversity loss.

“I also understand, in many circumstances, the viability of organic holdings is dependent on receiving a premium for the organic produce, which is not always available.”

Applications for the payment will be made through the Single Application Form, due for submission by 15 May 2024.

Reaction

The announcement has been welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), which said the payments would enable organic producers to maintain their certified status for this year, while longer-term support was developed for the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

 “While the payment rates for this year are around 30% lower than those received under the Glastir Organic Scheme, dairy organic producers will receive a higher rate than what they would have done previously to reflect increased input costs,” said FUW president Ian Rickman.

Soil Association head of policy Andrew Tuddenham also expressed relief, saying the proposed withdrawal of funding for the sector would have squandered the government’s own investment in healthy soils, nature-rich farms and pioneering food businesses.

“We want to see the upcoming Sustainable Farming Scheme build on today’s announcement, with ambitious incentives that spark a widespread shift to resilient, nature-friendly farming across Wales,” he added.