87% of farmers believed that the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) will neither support their business nor deliver positive environmental outcomes, according to a new survey.
The survey, which was commissioned by the Country Land and Business Association in Wales (CLA Cymru), also found that only 3% of farmers trust the Welsh government.
The results of the survey follow protests by Welsh farmers earlier this week.
The survey also revealed that only 6% said they would opt into the schemes in their current form, which many consider to be “unnecessarily prescriptive and complex”, the CLA said.
CLA Cymru director Victoria Bond said: “This is damning evidence, but it only proves what we already know – rural communities feel ignored and let down by the Welsh government.
“The next First Minister must govern for all of Wales – not just the urban and industrial parts. Rural Wales is as much a part of our national culture as our cities, steelworks and former mining communities.
“As farmers, we work tirelessly to produce high quality food, and we are on the front line in the fight against climate change and nature decline.
“It is perfectly reasonable to expect the government to work with us constructively in the national interest.”
Victoria pointed to schemes in England, which, CLA Cymru said, have been improved by “constant collaboration” between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and rural organisations.
“With a new First Minister we have the chance to hit the reset button,” she said.
“We know that schemes to support environmentally friendly land management practices can work when developed in a spirit of mutual respect.”
