Sustainable Farming Scheme application window set to open

Farmers in Wales will be able to apply for funding under the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) from Monday 2 March.

Those seeking direct support in 2026 must decide at the point of application whether to join the SFS or remain in the current Basic Payment Scheme, paid at a reduced rate of 40% this year.

Applications are made via the Single Application Form (SAF) and must be submitted by 15 May.

See also: Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme: All you need to know

The Welsh government is encouraging farmers to review and complete their SAF as early as possible, and to review their SFS map via Rural Payment Wales (RPW) online prior to application.

Farmers are asked to:

• Check field boundaries and correct mapping errors using “Manage My Land” before completing the SAF​
• Review habitat and woodland data ahead of the habitat baseline review
• Identify if there are any designated sites or historic features​ on farm
• Those growing maize need to check slope and flood risk layers​ to ensure they comply with requirements around maize establishment.

Entry-level access

To access the entry-level “Universal” payment, farmers must complete 12 “Universal Actions”, including soil testing, benchmarking, maintaining hedgerows and undertaking ongoing learning.

A key requirement is that 10% of the holding’s eligible area must be managed as habitat.

Farmers can then increase their payments by choosing “Optional” and “Collaborative” actions, which reward more ambitious environmental work – details of which are yet to be confirmed.

The Welsh government has said it will be producing further detail in due course and applications for many of these actions will not be available until later in the year.

Eligibility

To receive the Universal payment, applicants must:

• Have at least 3ha of eligible agricultural land in Wales (including common land) registered with RPW, or be able to demonstrate more than 550 standard labour hours of agricultural or ancillary activities in the scheme year and have at least 0.10ha of eligible land.
• Have management control of the land for at least 10 months of the calendar year, including 15 May 2026.
• Undertake agricultural or ancillary activities as defined in the Agriculture (Wales) Act.

Payments and support

Farmers will receive a basic payment for all their eligible land, with extra payments for looking after habitats and woodland in approved ways.

There’s also a “social” value top‑up on the whole farm area, and smaller farms (100ha or less) can get a one‑off £1,000 “stability payment”.

Universal layer payments of up to 70% of the estimated claim will begin on 14 October 2026, with the balance paid from 11 December 2026, subject to claim validation.

For help with applications, farmers are encouraged to contact their farming union.

Further guidance is available from the RPW Customer Contact Centre on 0300 062 5004, the Farm Liaison Service, and Farming Connect on 03456 000 813 and on the Welsh government website.