![\"fields](\"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/UK_Gov_fields_trees-300x195.png\")
Plans to plant more than 20 million trees could be damaging for Welsh farmers, a union has warned.<\/h3>\nPlans to plant more than 20 million trees could be damaging for Welsh farmers, a union has warned.<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
The BBC writes:<\/p>\n
The National Trust wants to create 18,000 hectares (44,478 acres) of new woodland across Wales, England and Northern Ireland by 2030.<\/p>\n
President of the Farmers’ Union of Wales Glyn Roberts said he feared grazing areas could be lost in order to meet the target.<\/p>\n
The National Trust said it would work with farmers on the project.<\/p>\n
The organisation wants to increase the proportion of its land covered by trees from 10% to 17% in a bid to reach a \u2018carbon net zero\u2019 target.<\/p>\n
It is thought between 1,000-2,000 hectares (2,471 – 4,942 acres) of new woodland will be planted in Wales as part of the scheme.<\/p>\n
But Mr Roberts, a National Trust tenant farmer near Betws y Coed, Conwy county, said he feared forestry in rural areas could have a negative impact on farmers, food production and communities, if grassland is lost.<\/p>\n
“If you look at Penmachno, just a few miles from here, tree planting has caused depopulation and had a negative impact on the Welsh language and culture,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I feel agriculture has been attacked from all sides during the past six months. This is another blow that we don’t need.”<\/p>\n
Mr Roberts said grassland could be effective in tackling global warming and the farming industry had worked to mitigate the impact.<\/p>\n
The National Trust said the extra woodland would help lock up to 300,000 tonnes of carbon – equivalent to the energy output of 37,000 homes a year.<\/p>\n
Trystan Edwards, from the conservation charity, said it would work in partnership with tenants on the forestry project.<\/p>\n
“We’ve been doing this work for a long time, so it’s a continuation,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Its not about taking good farmland out of agricultural productivity. I feel our tenants will have a good relationship with the trust and they’ll know how to approach these matters.”<\/p>\n