LONDON: A controversial farming payment scheme which sparked mass protests has been delayed as Welsh government ministers accepted “changes will be needed”.
The Welsh Rural Affairs Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies has announced there will be changes to the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) – a Welsh government subsidy plan which is set to require farmers to set aside more land for environmental schemes.
Concerns about its impact, alongside measures to control TB and regulations aimed at preventing nitrates from seeping into rivers, have led farmers to mobilise in protest, with around 3,000 people demonstrating outside the Senedd in February.
Speaking at a press conference at Sealands Farm in Bridgend on Tuesday, the Cabinet Secretary said that a change of timings was part of his “commitment to meaningful engagement with the farming sector”.
Mr Irranca-Jones insisted the move was “far from a delay”, but the SFS had been due to come in from January 2025, while a transition period will now start in 2026.
Instead, the minister referred to it as the “business end of post the consultation”.He added: “It has “taken some time to get the final details right, simple as that.”
The minister also confirmed that the Basic Payment Scheme – the existing payment structure – would continue to be available next year.The move has been welcomed by the Conservative opposition in the Senedd, who have called for the scheme to be scrapped.
However, some environmental groups have reacted negatively, saying it will “prolong the uncertainty” for farmers.Under the SFS, Welsh farmers are currently expected to have to set aside 10% of their land for trees and a further 10% for wildlife habitat.
Farming leaders say the scheme could result in 5,500 job losses.Mr Irranca-Davies said: “Day in, day out, Welsh farmers are tirelessly working the land to put food on our tables.
“Since day one of taking up this role, I have been out and about meeting and listening to our farmers, hearing their views, taking on board what they have to say.“They, along with the unions and many others, have not been backward in coming forward with their thoughts and suggestions, I appreciate their candour.
“Farming and the agricultural industry as a whole in Wales is a partnership, and it is clear to me that while we have had some issues recently, we all have a shared goal of ensuring that farming in Wales has a long, successful and vibrant future.”
A consultation for the farming scheme received more than 12,000 responses, with the minister saying a draft analysis shows that “some changes will be needed” to the framework.He added: “My commitment to meaningful engagement with the farming sector and other stakeholders on the changes needed will necessitate a change in the implementation timetable.
“We have always said the scheme would not be introduced until it is ready and I stand by that.”Existing rural investment schemes, such as the small grants schemes, will continue to support infrastructure changes.
The Welsh Government will also work on a new landscape scale scheme which will build on the experience of previous collaboration projects.This new timeframe will give the opportunity to work through a number of important aspects.
The Cabinet Secretary concluded by saying: “Together we can create a future where our farmers produce the very best of Welsh food to the highest standards, while safeguarding our precious environment.“We are listening and will continue to listen.“We must continue to work in partnership to finalise a scheme that works long-term.”