Welsh Government’s proposals for a Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS)

On 14 December 2023, the Welsh Government published proposals for a Sustainable Farming Scheme.

 

The Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee and the Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee considered the proposals insofar as they relate to their respective remits.

 

Background

Since EU-exit the Welsh Government has maintained the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy system of support in Wales. However, the Welsh Government plans to introduce a new system of support – the SFS – starting in 2025.

 

The SFS proposals are currently the subject of public consultation (due to close on 7 March). The consultation sets out:

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>>>how farmers will be rewarded for responding to the climate and nature emergencies, as well as producing food in a sustainable way,

>>>how the scheme meets the objectives of Sustainable Land Management, and

>>>support available.

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Our approach

The Committee held a stakeholder event (invite only) on 13 March 2024 where participants had an opportunity to discuss the SFS proposals in the round.

 

The Committee also held oral evidence sessions with representatives from the agriculture sector, the environmental sector, and academics on 21 March 2024. The sessions focused on whether and how the proposals will work for farmers and the environment.

 

Latest developments

Since the Committee completed evidence gathering to inform its work, there has been a reconfiguration of ministerial responsibilities, with Huw Irranca-Davies MS appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs (the Cabinet Secretary).

 

On 3 May 2024, the Cabinet Secretary issued a Written Statement outlining the next steps towards the development of the final Scheme.

 

On 14 May 2024, the Cabinet Secretary gave an Oral Statement on the future of farming in Wales, announcing a 12 month delay to the Scheme’s introduction, among other things.

 

The Committee will have an opportunity to follow up on latest developments with the Cabinet Secretary during the summer term. This will inform the output of the Committee’s work on the Scheme.

 

Summary of evidence

On 23 May, the Committee published a summary of the evidence (PDF 262KB) received in response to the inquiry.

 

Evidence from stakeholders

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>>>National Farmers Union (NFU) Cymru

>>>National Farmers Union (NFU) Cymru - Summary

>>>Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW)

>>>Tenant Farmers Association

>>>Nature Friendly Farming Network (Key points briefing)

>>>Nature Friendly Farming Network (Consultation response)

>>>Soil Association (Summary)

>>>Soil Association (Consultation response)

>>>Wales Environment Link

>>>Dr Ludivine Petetin

>>>Professor Iain Donnison

>>>Ramblers Cymru

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The output from the Committee’s work was shared with the Welsh Government with a view to shaping the final SFS.

¬¬¬The Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee

Inquiry5

 

The Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee has been set up by the Senedd to look at policy and legislation, and to hold the Welsh Government to account in specific areas. These areas include business, economic development, skills, international trade, agriculture, fisheries and food.

 

On 9 May 2024, The Committee held a short inquiry with stakeholders to explore the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) and to explore issues within the Committee’s remit. This session provided an opportunity for the Committee to take evidence from stakeholders on the proposals, as well as the process of engagement and co-design.

 

An evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs was held on 13 June 2024.

 

Report

The Committee published its report Welsh Government’s proposals for a Sustainable Farming Scheme on 22 July 2024 (PDF 358KB).

 

Welsh Government response (PDF 138KB)

 

A debate was held in Plenary on Wednesday 23 October 2024

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¬¬¬The Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee

Inquiry5

 

The Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee (‘the Committee’) is undertaking a short inquiry on the Welsh Government’s proposals for a Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) insofar as they relate to the Committee’s remit.

 

Report

The Committee published its report: Report on proposals for a Sustainable Farming Scheme (PDF 218KB) on 22 July 2024.

 

The Welsh Government responded (PDF 204KB) to the Committee’s report on 4 September 2024.

 

A debate was held in Plenary on Wednesday 23 October 2024

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