Wales launches Sustainable Farming Scheme with focus on greener payments
Wales has launched the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), which emphasizes greener payments for farmers who actively manage at least 10% of their land as habitat. Farmers who do not join the SFS can remain on previous subsidy arrangements but will face a 40% cut in payments this year. The entry-level payment under the scheme is based on twelve universal actions, such as maintaining hedgerows, reducing pesticide use, and completing online sustainability courses. Higher funding is available for farmers undertaking more ambitious environmental work and collaborating with others.
Dairy farmer Gethin Hughes has joined the SFS citing concerns over price volatility, although he notes that many dairy farmers lack habitat land and may not be able to join the scheme. The final details of the SFS were unveiled in the summer following negotiations, with the number of signups in the first year considered a key indicator of the scheme's success. NFU Cymru has described the framework as acceptable but suggests it needs some tweaks and should include inflation-adjusted budgeting.
Environmental groups have highlighted that habitat land can still be grazed and emphasize that greater environmental benefits are expected from the scheme's optional and collaborative layers. They urge the rapid development of these layers to meet biodiversity goals by 2030. The scheme follows protests earlier in 2024. Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has described the launch as a landmark achievement, stressing ongoing co-design efforts with farmers and environmentalists, and noting that the scheme is designed to be adjustable over time.
Political reactions have been mixed; some parties criticize the focus on green targets over food production and call for changes or increased funding. There is no fixed first-year signup target, but signups will be used as a measure of success for the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
