Welsh family farms threatened by corporates pursuing ‘carbon offsetting’ schemes

Sheep farming in Wales [image credit: BBC]

Another example of unintended consequences caused by the irrational pursuit of climate obsessions by governments.
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A fifth of Welsh farms are running at a loss and there is a risk that farmers will be priced out of agriculture by big corporations buying up farmland for carbon offsetting schemes, according to a new report on family farms in Wales.

The findings of an inquiry by the Welsh Affairs Select Committee published today (7 April) paint a concerning picture for Welsh agriculture, an industry where the average farm size is just 48ha, compared to 87ha in England, says TW News.

From pressure on incomes and land availability to a lack of opportunity for new entrants, the report highlights some of the key concerns and sets out a series of recommendations to governments to address the issues.

Farm incomes

The latest figures on farm incomes show that 19% of Welsh farms have a farm business income of less than zero, and the average income across all farms in Wales is just £26,000.

The report suggests that Welsh farmers believe that economics are stacked against the family farm, with those businesses often less resilient to economic shock.

There is also concern about competition for farmland for woodland creation with farmers “priced out” of buying or renting productive land.

The committee says it opposes any attempts to “game the system” by companies investing in viable farming land to offset carbon emissions accrued by businesses elsewhere.

“Tree planting schemes are an important pillar in attempts to preserve our natural environment for future generations and were never intended to be exploited to the detriment of current businesses or future generations of farmers,” it says.

Full article here.