We want to hear farmers’ voices on agri support
MINISTER URGES INDUSTRY TO GET INVOLVED IN SHAPING SCHEME
WALES’ farmers are being encouraged to get involved in the next phase of designing the country’s new farm support scheme.
Rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths said she wanted to ensure their “voices are heard” during the design process.
The Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) will launch in 2025 following engagement with farmers and industry representatives.
The first stage saw around 2,000 people take part.
This next phase will take place in the summer of 2022 and people can register now to be part of the process.
A final consultation on the new scheme will take place in spring 2023.
Mrs Griffiths said: “I have always been clear about the need to work closely with our farmers to make sure their voices are heard as future support is designed.
“The scheme continues to be developed and we will share more details when we publish the outline next year.”
The Welsh Government is working with Plaid Cymru, as part of the Co-operation Agreement, to introduce a transition period.
It said “stability payments” will continue to be a feature of the
SFS during and beyond this Senedd term.
Under the SFS, farmers will be asked to lower their carbon footprints and to improve wildlife and habitats.
Mrs Griffiths said the new scheme will “recognise the particular needs of family farms”.
Ultimately, she said, it will enhance the local and sustainable credentials of Welsh food.
Farmers and allied sectors will be able to share their views of the proposed scheme in a variety of ways, including through surveys and workshops.
More details of these will be provided in due course.
In the meantime, people can register to be involved via the Welsh Government’s website. Alternatively, they can speak to their local Farm Liaison Service representatives.