The report, researched by Professor Peter Midmore and Professor Richard Moore Colyer of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and published by the Institute of Welsh Affairs looked at individual case studies of hill and upland farms across Wales and developed scenarios of the future.  The main recommendations from the report “Cherished Heartland” are as follows:-

• Greater resources are needed to aid the continuation of upland farming for environmental goals. What is required is a higher rate of transfer of funds (modulation) from Single Farm Payments into expanded and retargeted agri-environment schemes. There should also be a change to the basis of compensation whose principle of “profit foregone” currently operates to limit output. In future a minimum level of production will be required for conservation objectives to be met, especially to ensure that an appropriate mix of sheep and cattle stock be maintained on upland farms.
• Latent but valuable knowledge in the farming community should be unlocked to design locally appropriate and efficient channelling of resources through combined Tir Mynydd (hill farm), Tir Gofal and Tir Cynnal (agri-environment) schemes under the control of local groups. These should represent farmers and other key stakeholders, with further future potential to undertake collaborative marketing, promotion and integrated planning of tourism and leisure use developments.
• There should be selective, voluntary withdrawal of agriculture to develop community managed ’wild’ areas for public benefit. Financed by a small proportion of Rural Development Regulation funds this would provide scope for wood extraction, educational and leisure use, and where appropriate some controlled seasonal grazing.
• There should be an honest appraisal of the way in which National Park planning powers limit or obstruct the development of upland farming businesses. There needs to be fundamental reform which recognises the interaction between sustainable development of upland communities and landscape conservation.
• The Welsh Assembly Government should promote further debate on the purpose and management of upland areas through a major conference bringing together specialist expertise and user and producer interests. At the same time the Environment, Planning and Countryside committee of the National Assembly should launch an inquiry into the future of the hills and uplands.

The report was launched at a seminar in October 2005 in Brecon and drew a lively debate from a large audience.  The panel comprised representatives from the National Trust, Brecon Beacons National Park, the Natwest, farming and Lord Dafydd Ellis Thomas.  

Lord Dafydd Ellis Thomas pledged to bring to the attention of the National Assembly the issues flagged up by the study.  “I will propose that we undertake this inquiry” he said.  “The authors have achieved a piece of work which provides a huge challenge.  I would like to take up this challenge.  I have always been impressed by the commitment shown by my farming friends and constituents”.

In May 2006 Carwyn Jones, Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside launched a group to project a vision for 2020 on sustainable farming and land use.  The “Sustainable Farming & Environment: Action Towards 2020 Task & Finish Group” will have two main aims:-

• To project a vision for 2020 on sustainable farming and land use in Wales, taking account of both upland and lowland farming and the needs of the environment, rural communities and the general public.
• To produce a report in June 2007 setting out policy options for the Welsh Assembly Government that are consistent with the conclusions reached by the work of the group.