NFU Cymru “extremely concerned” over tree cover target in SFS

The minister’s statement outlined the Welsh government’s response to the second phase of co-design conducted last year, building on feedback from farmers and other industry stakeholders on the key proposals of the SFS, which is set to replace the Basic Payment Scheme in Wales from 2025.

While NFU Cymru remains supportive of the government’s plans to deliver the SFS in universal, optional and collaborative tiers, it voiced concerns over the requirement to provide 10% tree cover on areas deemed fit for purpose by the government within the universal tier of the scheme.   

“In our response to the SFS outline proposals, NFU Cymru highlighted the broad range of issues associated with the 10% tree cover and 10% habitat targets. We remain clear the challenges around these targets present a very real barrier to scheme participation,” said NFU Cymru president Aled Jones.

“Farmers will be prepared to plant hedges, shelterbelts, streamside corridors and field corners on appropriate areas of their farm but will not plant trees on their productive land,” he added.

Further considerations outlined by the government in response to the co-design include a phased approach to scheme rollout, with the intention of allowing farmers more time to consider and implement changes. This could mean launching the universal tier of SFS in 2025, with the optional and collaborative tiers to follow in later years.

Moreover, the government will explore ways to make Habitat Baseline Reviews scalable for the scheme, which was proposed as a requirement for farmers to join the scheme.

Efforts will also be made to better recognise good management of existing habitats and woodland above the proposed minimum requirement.

Rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths confirmed the outputs from the co-design will help inform the next set of SFS proposals to be included in the public consultation later this year. Decisions on the final design of the scheme will be made once the consultation has concluded.

Mr Jones said it is vitally important the government provides more detail on the actions farmers will be required to carry out as part of the scheme and the payments they can expect in this final consultation.

“NFU Cymru is committed to working with Welsh Government to make sure that the new system works and is fit for purpose.”

“We remain clear, that future support schemes have to deliver against the multiple challenges that we will face in the future. These challenges include meeting our environmental and climate change obligations, as well as driving productivity and efficiency in order to meet our responsibilities in relation to food production – both domestically and globally,” he concluded.