The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) is urging its members to engage with the latest proposals of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).
The union labelled the scheme as “the most important change to Welsh agricultural policy since the genesis of the Common Agricultural Policy in 1962”.
The Welsh government launched the consultation on the proposals yesterday (Thursday, December 14).
The SFS is the mechanism through which farmers will receive support in Wales from 2025 onwards.
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.
“While we have been successful in lobbying for certain crucial changes to the scheme since its inception, including the provision of a baseline payment, a number of significant barriers and questions around certain details remain.”
Consultation
The Welsh government said the SFS aims to secure food production systems, keep farmers farming the land, safeguard the environment, and address the “urgent call” of the climate and nature emergency.
“The scheme will support farmers to become more efficient and resilient, enabling them to respond to changing consumer demands and compete in a decarbonising global economy,” the government said.
“The proposals have been shaped by feedback received from farmers and the wider industry over three consultations and two phases of co-design.
“No final decision on the scheme will be taken until after this consultation.
“Changes in the scheme in response to this feedback include making the scheme accessible to all farmers in Wales from 2025, phasing the introduction of the collaborative and optional actions and ensuring actions are proportionate and appropriate to farming in Wales.”
The government said this includes adjustments to the proposal for requirements for minimum 10% tree cover and land for biodiversity.
Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “We face many challenges including a difficult financial landscape, the climate and nature emergency and its profound impact on our vital food production.
“The urgency of the climate and nature emergency cannot be overstated. We have seen first hand the impact of extreme weather patterns such as drought and floods on farming.
“These events will only increase in frequency and are the biggest threat to sustainable food production.
“That is why we must ensure future support for the industry addresses this issue, so Wales’ farmers are resilient and able to continue to produce food sustainably.”
Griffiths said resilience and sustainability means to be able to adapt to new evidence, new priorities and new challenges.
“The scheme has been designed to provide a clear long term structure with which we can all become familiar, but one which continues to evolve in a changing world,” she said.
“In getting to this point with the SFS, we have never engaged so thoroughly with our farmers and stakeholders. We still want to hear their views and I would encourage everyone to take part in this important consultation.
“No final decision will be taken on the SFS until after this consultation has taken place and the responses considered.”
