The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) is set to host a Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) information roadshow for members in a bid to engage farmers in Wales on its final proposals.
The Welsh government launched the consultation on the future of the SFS in December 2023 and it is the mechanism through which farmers will receive support in Wales from 2025 onwards.
Information events are being held at the following dates and locations:
- Monday, January 22, 7:30p.m – Caernarfon (location yet to be confirmed);
- Tuesday, January 23, 7:30p.m – Ceredigion, Clwb Rygbi Aberaeron;
- Wednesday, January 24, 7:30p.m – Dinbych & Fflint, Canolfan Genus, Ruthin;
- Thursday, January 25, 7:30p.m – Carmarthen, Rugby Athletic Club Carmarthen;
- Thursday January 25, 12:00p.m – Pembrokeshire, Clarbeston Road Memorial Hall, Clarbeston Road;
- Thursday, January 25, 7:00p.m – Glamorgan, Grove Golf Club Ltd, Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan;
- Monday, January 29, 7:00p.m – Brecon and Radnor, FUW Pavilion, RWAS Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells;
- Tuesday, January 30, 7:30p.m – Ynys Mon, Canolfan CFfI, Cae Sioe Mon;
- Thursday 1 February 1, 7:00p.m – Gwent, Monmouthshire Livestock Market, Abergavenny Road, Raglan;
- Thursday, February 1, 10.00a.m – Meirionnydd, Fferm Sylfaen, Bermo, Gwynedd;
- Tuesday, February 6, 7.30p.m – Montgomeryshire, Welshpool Livestock Market.
Speaking about the consultation, FUW president Ian Rickman said: “We have repeatedly consulted with our members on several versions of this scheme since 2018 and are now at the most critical stage of its development.
“I encourage our members to make every effort to join an information event in their county and actively participate in formulating the union’s response to the proposals.”
Rickman added that while the Union has been successful in lobbying for certain crucial changes to the scheme since its inception, a number of significant barriers and questions around certain details remain.
In response to the initial Brexit and Our Land Consultation, the FUW maintained that any future payment scheme based on environmental and public goods outcomes must also protect family farms, support rural communities and Welsh Jobs and ensure that agriculture is both sustainable and rewarding.
To fail to do so would most likely lead to serious damage to Wales’ family farms and the role they play in Wales’ economy, society, culture and landscape, the FUW said.
“These policy priorities continue to underpin our key asks in relation to the Sustainable Farming Scheme – this scheme must be practical for all farmers in Wales and deliver on our economic, environmental and social sustainability,” Rickman said.
