Today (Monday, November 25) at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, has announced an updated outline plan for the Sustainable Farming Scheme. 

Working in partnership with the farming unions, environmental groups and other stakeholders on the ministerial roundtable and supporting groups, including the Carbon Sequestration Panel, this latest update contains important changes to previous proposals.  

The changes address the needs of Welsh farmers, while supporting the ongoing sustainable production of food, as well as climate change and nature commitments. 

The framework of a Universal layer for all has been retained but with a reduced overall number of Universal Actions with additional Optional and Collaborative Actions for those who choose to do more.

The number of Universal Actions has been reduced from 17 to 12 with changes made to 10 of the 12 that remain.

The farm-level figure for tree cover has been removed and will be replaced by a scheme-wide target, which will be agreed after discussions with the Ministerial Roundtable, and a new Universal Action for a tree planting and hedgerow creation opportunity plan. 

Farmers will therefore no longer be asked to have a minimum of 10% tree cover on their land. 

Farmers who apply for the scheme will be able to decide where they want to add more trees / hedges on their farm, and how many, and get funding to support them through the Optional Layer of the Scheme.

The Animal Health, Welfare and Biosecurity actions have been merged into a single simplified Universal Action to focus discussions with the farm vet on improved animal health and welfare outcomes. 

The requirement for all farms to have wash stations has been moved to an Optional Action, recognising that the biosecurity need of individual farms can be very different.

Confirmation that additional payments for social value will be made under the universal part of the scheme. This will represent the wider benefits which come from a sustainable agricultural industry.

Taking account of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and common land rights in the Universal Payment. Further support for both will also be available as Optional and Collaborative Actions.  

Irranca-Davies

Given the importance of the scheme in contributing to Wales’ nature and biodiversity objectives, the requirement for farmers to manage at least 10% of their farm as habitat has been maintained.   

To support farmers to meet this requirement, additional options to create temporary habitat are being considered. These should be suitable for all farming systems and land ownership. 

In making the announcement from the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, Deputy First Minister, Irranca-Davies, said: “Following the consultation, it was clear changes were needed – we said we would listen – and we’ve done just that. 

“Farmers are at the heart of communities right across Wales, and they play a crucial role in our economy and food production. As stewards of our land, they also have a key role to play in protecting and restoring nature and tackling the climate emergency.   

“I am pleased to be able to publish a revised Scheme Outline today which sets out the significant progress we have made through collaboration with the roundtable.”

HUW IRRANCA-DAVIES SUSTAINABLE FARMING SCHEME WALES