£89m EU cash threatened as most farmers reject Glastir

The Western Mail reports that an £89M injection of European Union cash could come under threat from the virtual collapse of Welsh Assembly Government plans to reform the way farmers are paid to look after the environment.

Farming unions and conservationists expressed dismay at the news that fewer than 3,000 out of just under 17,000 eligible farmers want to join the new all-in-one Glastir agri- environment scheme when it starts in 2012.

• Primary Source

Wales: WAG: Topics » Environment and countryside: Farming and countryside: Rural development plan for Wales » Axis 2 - Glastir http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/farming/glastirhome/?lang=en

FUW: Glastir http://www.fuw.org.uk/glastir.html

FUW: Press Release, 24.11.10: FUW welcomes Glastir review http://www.fuw.org.uk/read-press-release/items/613.html

NFU Cymru, 25.11.10: Glastir Survey – have your say here http://www.nfu-cymru.org.uk/News/Glastir-Survey-%e2%80%93-have-your-say-here/

RSPB: Press Release, 26.11.10: Doubts emerge over Glastir's ability to save threatened wildlife http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/265296-doubts-emerge-over-glastirs-ability-to-save-threatened-wildlife

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