Protests in Wales have led to the country’s farming minister, Lesley Griffiths, conceding that changes will be made to the agriculture policy following Brexit. The alteration to subsidies, which requires up to a tenth of agricultural land to be used for planting trees, has caused widespread dismay among Welsh farmers. Although Griffiths has acknowledged the need for change, she has so far refused to provide reassurances that the government will be listening to farmers’ concerns.
Despite conceding that most people are unhappy with the proposed changes, Griffiths has said she wants to hear all responses before making any decisions. The consultation on the Sustainable Farming Scheme ends on 7 March, and Griffiths has been keen to ensure that she looks at the policy from every angle. In the meantime, officials have suggested that changes will need to be made.
Abi Reader, deputy president of farming union NFU Cymru, remains dissatisfied with the government’s apparent lack of responsiveness. She has called for regular meetings between ministers and unions to continue discussions, as well as the establishment of a “scientific advisory panel” to explore alternative policies. Many farmers feel that the current proposals do not provide enough stability for their businesses.
Griffiths has stressed that the ultimate aim of the policy is to promote sustainable food production and to tackle climate change. However, Welsh farmers will be looking for stronger reassurances from the government that their concerns are being taken seriously
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