NSA welcomes Welsh Government announcement on the Sustainable Farming Scheme
8th July 2022
The National Sheep Association (NSA) has welcomed announcements from Welsh Government on the Sustainable Farming Scheme, today (Friday 8th July), but recognises there is still some way to go before a practical scheme is ready for roll out in 2025. The announcements give Welsh farmers the first look at future schemes moving away from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Glastir schemes.
NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: “Welsh Government is clearly keen to be working with farmers and related stakeholders to co-create this new scheme in preparation for roll out in 2025. The document sets a sound set of principles. Welsh Government recognises it doesn’t present all the answers, and are keen to co-create the detail with farmers and their organisations (such as NSA). It is encouraging to see that future schemes are set to reward practical actions on farms which many of our farmers are working towards already.
“NSA has been working collaboratively with Welsh Government and is encouraged to see that much of the recommendations from industry have been included, with strong recognition of the importance of food production in Wales, and the beneficial role farming can and is having on the environment and wider landscape. NSA will welcome further discussion especially around payment rates to ensure Welsh farming businesses are able to maintain financial viability, resilience, and productivity.
“The Sustainable Farming Scheme policy document clearly talks about the principle of land sharing where farmland can simultaneously deliver for food production, for the climate, for nature, and for culture and the public. However, there is still much detail to be ironed out such as ensuring tenants can access the scheme and aren’t limited by tenancy agreements. It also remains to be seen how this will work on common land and cross border farms, and considering short term grazing agreements. The proposals include a requirement for 10% of the land area to have tree cover, to include well managed hedgerows, and this includes existing tree and hedgerow cover. This may be challenging for some landscapes where open common land for example forms a large proportion of the holding. We will be discussing practical issues such as this with the WG team as their work progresses and try to stay focussed on appropriate outcomes rather than standardised prescriptions.”
The announcement outlines that a baseline payment will be made to farmers for undertaking a set of universal actions which can be delivered by farms across Wales and go above and beyond what is required by legislation. Additional payment will be available for farmers who choose to undertake extra optional and collaborative actions. The Welsh Government claims to want to engage with farmers from across Wales to understand how the proposed actions could work on their farms as part of the next phase of co-design. To help farmers carry out the actions, support will be offered through an advisory service, as well as training and farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing. Payment rates are being informed by Welsh Government modelling and economic analysis which is still being undertaken.
NSA Cymru / Wales Region Regional Development Officer Helen Roberts adds: “Farmers across Wales are well placed to tackle climate change but also maintain and enhance a reputation for world renowned produce and build on the strong cultural reputation that Welsh farming delivers. It is encouraging to see commitment from Government that it will work with farmers to co-design the future schemes, and NSA Cymru will continue to work collaboratively with them on routes to ensure proper support is provided for rural communities through the Agriculture (Wales) Bill due this Autumn.”
