NFU Cymru demands stability in new SFS

For Welsh farming to continue delivering for the environment, climate, economy and the people of Wales, funding and stability must be provided by the Welsh government, according to NFU Cymru.

Speaking at the fifth NFU Cymru/Wynnstay Sustainable Farming Conference on Wednesday (3 September) at Ffrith Farm, Treuddyn, Mold, union president Aled Jones stressed the importance of the next Welsh government providing adequate funding and stability through the Universal layer of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

See also: Welsh government targets BPS with final SFS description

The union previously welcomed the £238m budget allocation to the universal layer of the SFS, which is the equivalent of the current Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) budget – and 70% of the total SFS budget.

The remainder of the budget is earmarked for the Optional and Collaborative layers.

Budget shift concerns

“However, I was concerned to hear the deputy first minister say that he was committed to shifting the balance of the budget to the optional and collaborative scheme actions in subsequent years,” said Mr Jones.

“The minister in this same statement talked of this SFS framework providing stability.”

Mr Jones added that it is the Universal layer, and the social value payment within that, which delivers stability and underpins the multiple benefits that Welsh farming provides.

“Without this stability, our ability to deliver for the economy, the environment, climate, our communities and our people will be harmed,” he said.

January launch

The SFS opens on 1 January 2026, and there are three layers to the scheme – the Universal layer, the Optional layer and the Collaborative layer.

To apply, farmers need to use the single application form via Rural Payments Wales Online from March through to 15 May each year.      

The Universal layer comprises 12 actions including soil health, integrated pest management, habitat maintenance, hedgerow management, a tree and hedgerow planting opportunity plan, and animal health and welfare.

To qualify for the payment, farmers will need to meet these actions where they are relevant and applicable to them.

The Optional and Collaborative layers will then be available for farmers who want to do more and so boost their income.