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Wales has launched its long-debated post-Brexit farm subsidy programme, marking a notable shift in agricultural support almost ten years after the UK’s departure from the EU. This new scheme aims to direct payments towards environmentally sustainable practices, requiring participating farms to adhere to a set of standards focused on habitat management and soil health. The Rural Affairs Secretary, Huw Irranca-Davies, described the rollout as “a landmark moment for Wales,” highlighting that the initial measure of its success will be the number of farmers who enroll in the programme.
The Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) replaces the previous system, which distributed over £300 million annually in subsidies largely based on land area. Abi Reader, deputy president of the farming union NFU Cymru and a dairy farmer herself, emphasized the significance of this shift, stating it represents “a once in a generation change to farm support payments.” While the journey to finalize the SFS was tumultuous—characterized by protests and accusations of unworkable proposals—the union now considers the scheme “acceptable to the industry” after considerable negotiation. Farmers who join the scheme must commit to twelve core actions, such as maintaining hedgerows, minimizing pesticide use, and participating in sustainability training. Those willing to undertake more ambitious environmental efforts can access additional funding levels designed to encourage collaboration among farms.
Individual farmers have expressed mixed views about the new requirements. Dairy farmer Gethin Hughes from Ceredigion shared that joining the SFS provides “a little bit of security” amid fluctuating milk prices, though he acknowledged ongoing divisions within the farming community. The scheme compels farms to actively manage at least 10% of their land as habitat, posing challenges for some who lack suitable areas. Hughes noted that some dairy farmers without qualifying land may have to reduce herd sizes or exit farming altogether. Environmental advocates, like Arfon Williams from RSPB Cymru, argue that while the baseline payments can help maintain existing habitats, the scheme’s more impactful environmental gains will depend on the uptake of higher-tier funding—which is essential to meeting Wales’ biodiversity goals by 2030.
Political reactions have been varied. The deputy first minister praised the collaborative development of the SFS and acknowledged it remains a “dynamic scheme” subject to future adjustments, though he conceded it won’t satisfy all stakeholders completely. Opposition voices criticized the programme’s focus, with the Welsh Conservatives contending it risks job losses and declining incomes by not prioritizing food production. Plaid Cymru and other parties also called for a more gradual transition and longer-term financial certainty for farmers. Environmentalists and other spokespersons from Reform UK, the Welsh Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party all emphasized the need for greater commitment and funding to ensure the scheme can support farmers through the significant changes ahead
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