A11 Views of interested organisations.pdf - Agra CEAS Consulting

MID-TERM EVALUATION OF THE RDP WALES
A11.3.4. Financial balance
The NFU Cymru believe that allocation of resources should be demand-led, but should relate to the
direct and indirect benefits that flow as a result. A greater degree of knowledge of the wider impact
of the RDP is therefore required in order to consider the issue of resource allocation. This is a view
shared by the CCW, although they add that the current allocation of resources is very much a
reflection of the measures existing prior to the RDP.
The Farming Union of Wales recognises that the financial weight of the RDP falls on the Tir Mynydd
scheme and believes, as does RSPB Cymru, that this is a vital socio-economic payment. In this
organisation’s view these payments retain farmers in the uplands and as a result ensure that the more
isolated communities remain viable. Whilst they believe that the WAG should attempt to negotiate
a greater share of funding for the RDP, the FUW is content with the allocation of resources within
the Plan.
Given the relative absence of comments on this point it is understood that the majority of
organisations are content with the current allocation of funds within the RDP, at least based on
current knowledge concerning relative impact.
A11.3.5. Gaps in the RDP
A number of organisations identified what they perceived as gaps in the coverage provided by the
RDP. These are summarised below:
• The Farming Union of Wales believes that the RDP should incorporate measures to encourage
young farmers to remain in (and enter) the industry. An early retirement scheme, coupled with
young farmer installation aids would help to address the perceived imbalance in the age structure
within the industry. The organisation adds that it is known that younger farmers are more likely
to take advantage of RDP schemes and to embrace diversification and therefore encouraging
these farmers would be beneficial to the overall success of the RDP.
• The NFU Cymru believes that a gap in coverage exists in that all farmers are subject to
modulation, but not all are able to recover these funds through RDP schemes. The proposed
Entry Level agri-environment scheme may address this concern.
• The CCW and the Environment Agency both recognise the need to take greater account of
diffuse pollution and to assist the effective implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
To this end both organisations support a ‘broad and shallow’ Entry Level agri-environment
scheme 9 , as does RSPB Cymru.
• RSPB Cymru believes that some geographical targeting of Tir Gofal should be introduced in
order to achieve further gains in respect of species recovery, large scale habitat restoration,
management of common land and flood management.
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The CCW adds that this should not compromise the OFS or Tir Gofal. RSPB Cymru believes that such a scheme would underpin Tir
Gofal and would provide impetus towards the WAG’s vision of an innovative agri-food industry that would also create a Welsh
countryside rich in biodiversity and wildlife.
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