Tir Gofal - the agri-environment scheme for Wales

What is Tir Gofal?

Tir Gofal means literally ‘Land Care’, and as such is the first scheme in Wales, and indeed in Europe, aimed at promoting whole farm conservation and management. It is different from previous schemes, as it brings farming and conservation into a different level of partnership.

Tir Gofal supports farmers in protecting both the archaeological heritage and the natural environment in one scheme. There are four main objectives to Tir Gofal: Habitat Conservation (encouraging bio-diversity), Landscape Management (preserving local rural character), Historic and Archaeological Features (protecting archaeological sites, traditional farm buildings, field boundaries, and other historic features), and Access (public access paths across land).

Tir Gofal is also part of the Agenda 2000 reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union.

Predecessor schemes in Wales were Tir Cymen, Environmentally Sensitive Areas, the Habitat, Moorland and Countryside Access schemes, the Farm and Conservation Grant scheme and others. None of these were widely available, excluded many farmers, and lacked an historic environment component. Although some farm schemes have carried on in parallel to Tir Gofal, most participants have been encouraged to transfer to Tir Gofal.

Following the successful introduction of Tir Gofal, the Welsh Assembly Government also introduced a broader, low level scheme Tir Cynnal, which also carries an obligation to care for historic environment features on the farm.

In recent years, such schemes have been developed to provide support to the farming community as custodians of the diverse historical, cultural and wildlife heritage of Wales, helping them maintain the fabric of the countryside, and reflect public aspirations for environmental benefits and greater opportunities for enjoyment of the countryside.

Who manages the scheme?

Tir Gofal is administered by the Welsh Assembly Government's Rural Payment's Division. CPAT Heritage Management advise WAG on the best management of the archaeological and historical components within the scheme.

Who can apply?

What am I signing up to?

Land management - mandatory compliance with the whole farm section and management of key habitats, and optional restoration or creation of certain habitats or features. You will be required to maintain all existing boundaries, all trees, protect all historic sites/archaeology, maintain in a weatherproof condition all traditional buildings, not remove rocky outcrops, keep farm rubbish free, protect rivers from drainage, keep open existing rights of way, agree to limits on stocking of animals, not introduce non-native plant species, and follow governmental water/air/soil good practice guidelines.

In addition, there are voluntary options, which you may select for inclusion in your management plan. There will be extra money for creation and restoration of habitats, new access to enclosed land, and enhancement of landscape and historic features, like archaeological sites, ponds, bridges and traditional buildings, etc.

Creating new permissive access - voluntary options available for new linear access routes, new area based permissive access or to provide for access for educational purposes.

Capital works - payments will be made for additional work to protect and manage habitats and features and to support new access provision.

Training for farmers - payments will be made for courses on managing specific habitats, such as wetlands and woodlands and practical skills, such as drystone walling and hedge laying.

What is the selection procedure?

Applications will be selected according to the degree of environmental benefit they offer. A procedure has been devised which takes account of existing environmental features on the farm, and the benefits that could come from using voluntary options to restore or create habitats or features. The procedure is designed to ensure that the scheme provides value for money and operates fairly across the whole of Wales. The number of new agreements will depend on the available budget.

Potential applicants must not undertake any work prior to entering the scheme which damages the environmental value of the land, such as removing hedgerows, ploughing or fertilising unimproved grassland or infilling ditches. Such work is likely to result in the application being rejected.

What will be the scheme delivery?

Applicants who are selected will be visited by a Project Officer who will help draw up a plan for managing the whole farm within the scheme. The plan will form part of the agreement between CCW and the applicant. Management payments will be made at six monthly intervals during the first year of the agreement and annually thereafter.