Farm assurance should count in SFS, says union

Welsh farmers in assurance schemes should receive greater recognition under the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has suggested.

FUW president Ian Rickman said integrating existing assurance requirements into the scheme’s Universal layer could reduce bureaucracy and duplication while maintaining animal health and welfare standards.

Speaking to Farmers Weekly, Mr Rickman said: “What we’d like to see is some earned recognition for farmers who are in farm assurance schemes, because under the farm assurance schemes, such as FAWL [Farm Assured Welsh Lamb], you have to do an animal health plan.”

See also: Half of Welsh farmers stay with BPS over new SFS

The union has previously raised concerns with the Welsh government about Universal Action 12 (UA12), which sets out animal health and welfare measures farmers must complete to access SFS payments.

UA12 comprises three elements: the animal health improvement cycle (Ahic), an incoming animal biosecurity risk assessment, and wider animal welfare requirements.

FUW president Ian Rickman © MAG/Anne Dunn

The Ahic requires farmers to work with their vet through four stages – measuring, planning, acting and reviewing – to improve livestock health over a rolling 12-month period.

Although assurance requirements differ slightly from those of the Ahic under the SFS, Mr Rickman said there was considerable scope to reduce paperwork for participating farmers.

He added that farm assurance played an important role in maintaining standards, but “farmers carrying out additional animal health work should also have opportunities to access further support”.

Additional funding

“We’re looking at options for the Optional layer [of SFS] and for the animal health improvement cycle to be included there so farmers can work with their vets and apply for funding for the additional work,” said Mr Rickman.

The FUW’s proposals would seek to recognise work already undertaken by assured farms while directing additional SFS funding towards further improvements in animal health.

Responding, the Welsh government said: “This government will continue to listen to farmers as the SFS is rolled out and we are committed to evolving the scheme in collaboration with stakeholders.”