Key elements of new Welsh farm support scheme incomplete

Major elements of Wales’ new agricultural support schemes remain incomplete and will not be available when farmers are first able to apply on Monday 2 March.

The Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) – in development for nearly a decade – is built around three tiers, including the Universal, Collaborative and Optional layers.

While farmers can submit applications under the Universal layer, the Collaborative and Optional layers will not open until later in the year, the Welsh government has confirmed.

See also: Sustainable Farming Scheme still needs work prior to launch, says NFU Cymru

Ministers have stressed, however, that some actions currently being designed for these layers will be made more widely available.

For example, farmers with organic certification can apply for organic maintenance through their Single Application Form, regardless of whether they apply for the SFS.

Concern for farmers

Farm lobby group Digon yw Digon told Farmers Weekly it is “extremely concerned” that farmers are being asked to make business-critical decisions about joining the SFS when key parts are still unavailable or not fully defined.

“This raises serious concerns. No farm business should be expected to commit to a multi-year agreement when significant elements of the financial framework remain incomplete or subject to change,” a spokesman said.

The Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for rural affairs, Samuel Kurtz MS, also criticised the rollout, calling it unacceptable that two of the scheme’s three layers are not fully designed as the application window opens.

He said: “After years of consultation, farmers are being asked to commit to a scheme where significant elements remain undefined or delayed until later in the year.”

He added that farm businesses cannot plan on the basis of “further detail in due course”.

Pragmatic

Farming unions have taken a more pragmatic stance, however, emphasising that the most important element – the Universal layer – is where attention has rightly been concentrated.

Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) president Ian Rickman said:

“While we are disappointed by the pace of development of the Optional and Collaborative layers, our overriding priority has always been to try and ensure that the Universal layer is accessible, practical and workable for all farmers.”

NFU Cymru president Abi Reader said the union is in “intense talks” with the Welsh government about interventions that could be available from 2026 onwards.

“Our focus is on ensuring the Optional and Collaborative layers of the SFS deliver investment on farm and support efficiency, productivity and increase the profitability and the sustainability of farming businesses,” she said.

Plaid Cymru’s spokesman for agriculture and rural affairs, Llyr Gruffydd MS, added:

“While what is currently on the table is much better than the original proposal, this whole episode underlines that this Labour government has no idea about rural issues.

“It’s time they made way for a government that does.”