Farmers in Pembrokeshire and all who have an interest in the Welsh environment and the countryside will be aware that Wales is soon to have a new sustainable land management scheme, Glastir.

Glastir will replace the existing Tir Mynydd, Tir Gofal, Tir Cynnal and Organic Farming schemes and reflects the Welsh Assembly’s environmental commitments as well as its strategies on food and farming.

It will contract farmers to manage the land in a way that meets today’s challenges and priorities, including biodiversity, climate change and water management.

Glastir will be in place from 2012 through to 2020 and beyond, providing stability for farmers as well as delivering maximum environmental benefits.

It is my intention that transition from the old schemes to the new will ensure that the financial investment and environmental benefits delivered through the outgoing schemes are maintained.

I am also keen to ensure that the farming community in Wales is able to adjust to the changes and new opportunities that Glastir will provide.

I do not underestimate the major change Glastir represents for farmers and those linked to the industry in Wales.

For this reason, the Welsh Assembly is working closely with the farming unions and other organisations to roll out an extensive training programme for farmers across Wales, ensuring that anybody who wishes to apply to join Glastir is properly equipped to do so.

It is important that farmers who, having considered the benefits to their business and to the environment, wish to find out more or to apply to join Glastir act now.

The Glastir application process begins with an expression of interest in the scheme on the 2010 Single Application Form (SAF) that will be sent to farmers for completion in March. Further information on Glastir is available through regular articles in the Welsh Assembly’s Gwlad magazine.

If you are not currently on the distribution list for Gwlad and wish to be included, please e-mail gwlad@wales.gsi.gov.uk. Information is also available on the Welsh Assembly website at www.wales.gov.

uk/ruraldevelopment.

Look out for information on a series of Glastir awareness raising meetings for farmers to be held throughout Wales.

These events will be in addition to the SAF events the Welsh Assembly holds across Wales every April.

* The Welsh Assembly has arranged a meeting in Pembrokeshire to explain the new Glastir scheme. The meeting will be held at at Nantyffin Motel, Llandissilio on Thursday, February 25th. It will begin at 7.30pm and is open to all.