Assembly Agriculture Secretary Christine Gwyther: " "

Tir Gofal has attracted interest from hundreds of Welsh farmers with the reward of Euro grants for abandoning mass production and taking up eco-friendly practices.

The discovery of regulations that will prevent such grants for the first six months of 2000 has angered farmers' leaders.

Some farmers entering into the scheme have already begun de-stocking in preparation for switching production under Tir Gofal.

Plaid Cymru has tabled an emergency question to First Secretary Alun Michael asking him what representations will be made to the EC on the future of the scheme.

Assembly Agriculture Secretary Christine Gwyther said the announcement was "very annoying".

Agriculture secretary Christine Gwyther: Very annoyed by EC announcement

Ms Gwyther told BBC Wales that �750,000 earmarked for a calf processing scheme could be used for funding Tir Gofal - should the Assembly wish that to happen.

An Assembly spokesman said the issue could arise during the meeting of the agriculture committee on Wednesday.

"This has been called a so-called Euro blunder. I think that is being charitable. It is very, very annoying," said Ms Gwther

CCW chairman Michael Griffiths: "I will do everything I can to find a solution"

"Our legal authority to make offers under Tir Gofal and Organic Aid Scheme run out on 31 December.

"In effect, we have to get those offers out before Christmas.

"This has come about as a result of the Rural Development Plan.

"We have instructed by the EU to get that plan in by the end of the year."

Ms Gwyther added: "We are looking at the legal possibility of having a waiting list, so when we can start making the grants again, hopefully in July, we can actually have those in the queue."

National Farmers' Union of Wales chairman Malcolm Thomas said the news really could not have come at a worse time.

"This was one of the few bright spots that Welsh farming could look forward to," he said.

FUW president Bob Parry told BBC Wales that the situation was an "unbelievable mix-up".

'Staggering'

"The finger of suspicion appears to be pointing at Europe," he said.

"Why has it taken so long so long to realise that permission was needed? Here we are again finding obstacles in our way.

"It is a new scheme of course and possibly with the administration, someone overlooked it."

Michael Griffiths, chairman of the Countryside Council in Wales, said the news was "staggering".

"I can tell you that I will be doing everything I can to find a solution," he said.

Welsh farmers needed the latest bad news like a "hole in the head", he said.