NFU Cymru responds to future farm support update

NFU Cymru included a request for the

has welcomed the Minister to establish and

establishment of chair regular Sustainable

a new stakeholder Farming Scheme

group to assess the meetings in advance of

nd

development of the the publication of the final

Sustainable Farming scheme design and its

Scheme, one of a payment rates, as well as

number of the union’s for additional work to be

requests adopted by commissioned to report

Welsh Government back to these meetings.

following a meeting NFU Cymru also asked

with NFU Cymru earlier for the establishment of a

this year. science panel to look at

In a written statement and evaluate alternatives today (Friday 3rd May) to the controversial 10% on future farm support, tree cover requirements the Cabinet Secretary within the current scheme for Climate Change design. and Rural Affairs, Huw Speaking after today’s Irranca-Davies MS written statement, NFU announced the new SFS Cymru President Aled Ministerial Roundtable, Jones said: “I welcome of which NFU Cymru will the fact that the Cabinet be a member. A group of Secretary has decided partners will also look at to take forward two further and alternative initiatives that closely proposals to achieve match our original request additional carbon to government, alongside sequestration within the the commitment of the Sustainable Farming Cabinet Secretary, to Scheme. continue listening and

These developments working with farmers and closely mirror requests stakeholders to deliver made by NFU Cymru on our shared ambitions. President Aled Jones “We must get the in a meeting with Sustainable Farming Welsh Government in Scheme right, neither February as part of a farming families nor comprehensive series of government can afford to key policy asks to address have a scheme that fails the concerns and worries to deliver on our ambitions of thousands of farmers for the rural economy, who had attended NFU food, nature and climate. Cymru roadshows and The scheme must work events. Those asks for all farmers - that’s all farm types, sectors and regions, as well as tenant farmers and for those with common land. The scheme must deliver stability to underpin food production, our farmed environment, our communities, our language and culture for our generation and those that follow in our footsteps.

“I would urge all those that may be involved in the work that the Cabinet Secretary is establishing to take their responsibilities seriously and recognise that the livelihoods of many thousands of farming families will depend on the work undertaken, advice given and decisions ultimately made by the Cabinet Secretary.

“Mandating 10% tree cover has come across as a clear insurmountable barrier for many to access the Sustainable Farming Scheme. I’m therefore pleased that the Cabinet Secretary has agreed to establish a group that will, amongst other things, consider alternative proposals to achieve additional carbon sequestration within the new scheme. We have world class scientists on our doorstop, we need to make use of their expertise and knowledge of Welsh farming systems, our soils, our grasslands, cropping and field boundaries to provide us with alternatives whilst maintaining our productive capacity.

“The Cabinet Secretary has rightly acknowledged the need for a prosperous industry to support farmers to produce food alongside environmental, economic and social benefits. This is why it is absolutely critical that before any further decisions are taken, comprehensive analysis and assessment is made of the impact of the current Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals on Welsh farming, rural communities and the supply chain. We must ensure that future farm support delivers at least the same level of stability as that provided by current arrangements.

“The level of concern, worry and frustration in the farming community over future farm support remains palpable. NFU Cymru is committed to working with the Cabinet Secretary and all those who care about Welsh farming to get this right.”