Support schemes announced by Welsh Government ahead of SFS introduction called ‘logical step forward’
18th July 2024
NFU Cymru said that the Welsh Government’s announcement of interim schemes for 2025 is a “logical step forward” to ensure support for the farming industry and environmental delivery until new replacement schemes are operational.
Cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, has announced a number of schemes that will be operational in 2025 before the Sustainable Farming Scheme is introduced from 2026.
Speaking ahead of the Royal Welsh Show, the Cabinet Secretary has announced that the 2025 preparatory phase will include a number of schemes that will provide advice and support to farmers in advance of the introduction of SFS.
The schemes include:
- Habitat Wales Scheme will be offered in 2025 with all eligible individual farmers able to apply.
- Existing Habitat Wales Scheme Commons agreements can be extended for 2025.
- The Organic Support Payment will be maintained for 2025.
- An extension to Farming Connect to 2026.
- A new Integrated Natural Resources Scheme.
In addition to these five schemes, a data confirmation exercise will be launched.
Support for the farming industry
NFU Cymru president Aled Jones commented on the news: “Following the cabinet secretary’s announcement in May, which confirmed the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) transition will start in 2026 and the BPS will be available in 2025, today’s announcement that interim schemes, including the Habitat Wales Scheme and Organic Support Payments, will continue for 2025 is a logical step forward.
“This will ensure support for the farming industry and environmental delivery continues until new replacement schemes are operational.
“However, more detail is needed, including the budget allocations and payment rates affiliated to these interim schemes.
“NFU Cymru has long been clear that the provision of adequate funding for agri-environment schemes is going to be essential to secure the confidence of the farming industry in Welsh Government’s policy approach of providing fair reward for the delivery of environmental outcomes in the future.”
Mr Jones added that, given the significant challenges posed by the Habitat Wales Scheme mapping exercise for 2024, NFU Cymru is concerned that the Welsh Government plans to run a data confirmation exercise via RPW online from 22nd July to 6th December.
“Whilst this aims to provide farmers with the opportunity to review the underlying maps and data held on their farms to inform both the Habitat Wales Scheme in 2025 and the Sustainable Farming Scheme in 2026, we have raised concerns over the timing of this exercise, given the pressures on the farming sector at this time and the current positive, ongoing work on SFS scheme design by the Ministerial Roundtable, Carbon Sequestration Review group and SFS officials groups,” he added.
Vital role of farmers
Mr Jones said that NFU Cymru welcomes the commitment from the Welsh Government to continue to listen to the sector and work in partnership.
“NFU Cymru is clear: we must use the time we have to redouble our efforts to get the Sustainable Farming Scheme right for all farm types, sectors and regions of Wales, including tenants and common land.
“This will ensure farmers can continue to carry out their vital role of producing high quality, sustainable Welsh food for all in society, underpinning the vitality of our rural communities and the Welsh language whilst delivering on ambitions for nature and climate,” he concluded.
Read more political news.
