Welsh Moorland Classification

The definition of Moorland under the Welsh Basic Payment Scheme is to be altered.  The Deputy Minister for Agriculture Rebecca Evans has changed the criteria after discussions with the industry.  Originally, land was to be put into the Moorland category if it had been mapped as Moorland (back in 1992), and was above 400m in altitude.  There was then a review process to take out any land that had been improved.  Whilst it is not clear from the announcement, the change appears to relate to this review process.  Moorland will now be classified as such if certain plant species are growing there.  Previously, land was to be excluded from the Moorland category only if improved grassland species were in evidence.  It is not clear what practical effect this rather technical change will have.  The Welsh Government is amending the Regulations and will be writing to affected farmers shortly to explain the change.