Tir Mynydd cash paid (From Western Telegraph)

Tir Mynydd cash paid

2:50pm Friday 6th March 2009 in Pembrokeshire Farmer

Farmers who qualify for Tir Mynydd payments should have received their cash this week.

Rural Payments Wales started making full payments to claimants with valid applications on Monday.

More than 97% of farmers should have received their money on Monday after £24.22million was released, which represents 95.73% of the Tir Mynydd budget.

The Tir Mynydd scheme is available in less favoured areas, but payments have been adjusted this year after fluctuating fortunes for qualifying farmers.

Payments to farmers in disadvantaged areas have increased to £24 per hectare, while those in severely disadvantaged areas have seen a reduction from £30 to £28.50 per hectare.

Rural affairs minister Elin Jones said: “The change is being introduced in line with a significant improvement of 19% in farm business income in severely disadvantaged areas, compared to a small decline in disadvantaged areas.”

New figures show farm incomes in severely disadvantaged areas rose from £17,500 in 2006/2007 to £20,800 in 2007/2008, while the average income in disadvantaged areas fell from £17,500 to £17,400. Elin Jones added: “Increasing variable costs in disadvantaged areas contributed significantly to this difference and the Tir Mynydd payment, being a compensatory payment, must reflect this.”

The conclusion of the review of agri-environment support schemes, including less favoured area support, will be announced soon.