The Welsh government has announced that a major overhaul of farming subsidies will be delayed for an additional year, with a new start date now set for 2026 as a result of widespread protests. Responding to concerns raised by farmers over the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), Rural Affairs Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies said that the Welsh government was “listening” and that the new timetable would allow it to “work through a number of important aspects”.
The payments scheme was intended to be introduced gradually from April 2025, supporting more environmentally friendly farming methods post-Brexit. However, a consultation on the scheme earlier in the year led to protests across Wales, including the largest demonstration outside the Senedd, involving 3,000 farmers and supporters, with 12,000 responses received.
In order to gain access to the SFS, farmers would have had to agree to having trees on 10% of their land and 10% more earmarked for wildlife habitat. A 10% tree cover rule, characterised as “unworkable” by union groups, was the most controversial aspect of the scheme.
The delay has drawn mixed reactions. While Plaid Cymru described the decision as a “pragmatic and sensible approach” and an opportunity to secure “buy-in from the industry and a more sustainable scheme for farming and for nature”, Wildlife Trusts Wales described it as “bad news for farmers, nature and climate”. The Trusts see the scheme as offering farmers a chance to prepare for climate change and stress that its measures to help adaptation and mitigate impacts will ultimately support rural communities while storing carbon.
The Welsh government has said that it remains committed to introducing the SFS in the future. The main subsidy paid to farmers, based on how much land they farm, will remain unchanged in 2025 as the plans are revised
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