NFU Cymru has reiterated key areas where it considers the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) needs to continue to evolve to ensure it can deliver for Welsh farming in a meeting with the Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies.
Speaking after the meeting, NFU Cymru president Aled Jones said: “Whilst NFU Cymru continues to believe that the framework of the Sustainable Farming Scheme is right, we remain of the firm view that there is still work to do to evolve the scheme, to ensure it can deliver for Welsh farming and the communities that it underpins.
“I was pleased that the deputy first minister very much shared our view that there is ongoing work to do on the optional and collaborative layers of the scheme and that he was prepared to listen to specific concerns related to a number of universal actions.”
Actions discussed included the proposals for six hours of training required annually through the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Universal Action.
“The union highlighted the need to ensure that the broad range of valuable CPD opportunities provided by organisations such as NFU Cymru can be included,” said Jones.
Animal health
In respect of the Animal Health and Welfare Universal Action, NFU Cymru stated that “there should be no duplication between the Animal Health Improvement Cycle and the Biosecurity Risk Assessment requirements of this universal action and the requirements of farm assurance schemes operating in Wales”.
Hedgerow management was also discussed, with NFU Cymru expressing concern with regards to the SFS requirements relating to hedges within the Hedgerow Management Universal Action.
Jones said the NFU Cymru also expressed “disappointment that hedge planting will not be included as a measure of progress within the Trees and Hedgerow Opportunity Plan”.
Sustainability
Turning to the Optional Layer of the SFS, Aled Jones said: “We impressed on the deputy first minister the need to progress proposals under the optional layer of the SFS to support productivity and efficiency on farm, measures to increase profitability, and the sustainability of farming businesses.
“The development of a well-resourced, practical Sustainable Production offer is going to be crucial to help meet our ambition for the continued growth of the food and farming sector in Wales and to address some of the challenges that Welsh Government’s economic modelling and impact assessment of the SFS picked up this autumn.”
The NFU Cymru president also stressed the need for additional funding for the sector.
“A properly resourced universal layer and social value payment that provides stability to farming businesses must continue to be at the heart of the SFS both now and in the future,” he said.
“Looking ahead, an increased budget of a minimum of £500 million is needed to take account of inflation and to help meet our shared ambitions for food, climate, environment, communities, and language.”
