What is Organic Centre Wales (OCW)? OCW is the national resource for consumers, farmers and policy makers committed to more sustainable food and farming in Wales. Set up in 2000, it delivers projects to support the organic sector for the Welsh Government.[link:about::About the Centre
Information for producersOn these pages you can find out about our services to farmers, both those considering conversion and those who are already organic.

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For producers  |  Going organic  |  Working with producers  |  Technical information  |  Soil and fertilty management  |  Government support

Organic Farming Scheme/Organic Farming Conversion Scheme

Since 1999, the Welsh Government's organic farming schemes (the Organic Farming Scheme and the Organic Farming Conversion Scheme) have supported farmers during organic conversion and for maintaining their organic status during the lifetime of the agreement. Current schemes include:

Organic Farming Scheme. This scheme was introduced in 2008. Farmers who were in the scheme's forerunner were able to transfer to this scheme on 15th May 2008. In doing so they committed to organic production for a further 5 years (i.e. their agreements will end on 14th May 2013). Land that started conversion between 16 May and 22 October 2008 will also be in this scheme.

The Organic Farming Conversion Schemes (OFCS).The first scheme was introduced in 2009 (and later amended to include maintainace payments), and supports land that started conversion between 15 July 2009 and 1 January 2010. OFCS 2011 supports land that started conversion between 2 Jan 2010 and 1 Jan 2011. These are also 5 year agreements.

We expect a window of application for the OFCS 2012 to open in the first week of October 2011 which will support land starting conversion between 1 Jan 2011 and 31 December 2011. Applications must be supported by a conversion plan, and you may be eligible for further assistance in the preparation of this plan through the Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS). Contact the Helpline on 01970 622100 for details

Glastir

Glastir replaces Tir Gofal, Tir Cynnal and Tir Mynydd and has several elements.

All-Wales Element (AWE) - a whole farm land management scheme which is open to application from all farmers and land managers throughout Wales (see General guidance; technical guidance; and score card).

Targeted Element (TE) – a part farm scheme intended to deliver significant improvements to the environmental status of a range of habitats, species, soils and water that might also require changes to current agricultural practices.

Common Land Element - designed to provide support for the delivery of environmental benefits on common land.

Agricultural Carbon Reduction and Efficiency Scheme (ACRES) available to farmers who have a contract under the All-Wales Element.

Glastir stop press - 30 September 2011The Welsh Government has today put more Glastir options on the table for farmers. The changes come in response to the recommendations of the Glastir Independent Review Group (GIRG), which have now been approved by the European Commission. They provide the opportunity for some farmers to increase their Glastir payments. Contact your divisional office for details as soon as possible.

Glastir and organic farming

Following the ministers announcement in July 2011, OF(C)S agreements can now be operated in addition to, and independently of, Glastir. This represents a major change. Previously, organic support was integral to the Glastir AWE and organic farmers could claim a 50% reduction in the points required to join the scheme. The change means that organic farmers will no longer be eligible for this points reduction, and those who submitted Glastir applications on this basis will now have find additional points to be eligible. The Welsh Government his committed to helping farmers achieve this.

Scheme updates

Please visit our news pages for the latest information.