Large-scale investment companies have been buying farms across the country for afforestation - planting trees to offset carbon emissions.  The Welsh g

Tree-planting: Why are large investment firms buying Welsh farms?

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2021-08-06 14:00:06

Large-scale investment companies have been buying farms across the country for afforestation - planting trees to offset carbon emissions.

The Welsh government last year launched a plan to create a National Forest for Wales, promising to increase the number of trees being planted every year to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gases.

The policy aimed to "create woodlands that are accessible to people and give local communities the opportunity to get involved, helping to promote Welsh language, culture and heritage".

But there are calls to make urgent changes to the strategy, which currently allows companies outside Wales to take advantage of forestry grants.

After living and working on Frongoch Farm in Carmarthenshire's Cothi Valley for nearly 70 years, it was a wrench for John Thomas to sell the farm when he retired three years ago.

He hoped the new owners would take care of his family home in Cwrt y Cadno and safeguard it for future generations of farmers.

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