FUW response to Sustainable Farming Scheme consultation highlights concerning amount of change required within the timeframe

The Farmers’ Union of Wales’ response to the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme: “Keeping farmers farming” consultation has highlighted the concerning amount of change that is required to make sure the scheme is fit for purpose within the time available.

The Union’s response was compiled following discussions with members and sector representatives at thirteen regional meetings across Wales. Those meetings, attended by hundreds of members, as well as others who have a direct or indirect interest in the agricultural industry, were instrumental in compiling FUW’s response. Engagement also took place at twelve FUW County Executive meetings and meetings of the Union’s ten Standing Committees.

FUW President Ian Rickman said: “The Union’s response to this final consultation on the Sustainable Farming Scheme provides a comprehensive insight into the views and concerns of our members.

“Firstly, we believe the overarching objectives of the scheme must be revised so that they align with the Welsh Way Forward principles and the nine objectives that underpin the current EU CAP framework, such as minimising adverse economic impacts and disruption for businesses, sectors and regions.

“At the very least, the SFS must provide meaningful support and income to active farmers in Wales for producing sustainable food in line with the first Sustainable Land Management objective.”

The FUW’s response also calls for the establishment of a small, focussed SFS design stakeholder group that includes the farming unions to consider the changes to the SFS and associated payment rates. There should also be the option to create sub-groups or panels that consider the details of different elements of the SFS, for example, in relation to broad policy areas such as woodlands.

“It is imperative that we use the next few months effectively to re-design elements of the scheme in collaboration with the Welsh Government and other key stakeholders.

“This includes ensuring that the scheme payment rates are calculated in agreement with farming unions by using evidence gathered from economic impact assessments and farm business data. This would ensure payments go beyond income foregone and costs incurred so that the scheme is economically sustainable for farm businesses.

“It also includes the need to ensure that all Universal Actions and scheme rules are accessible and achievable by all and do not represent barriers to scheme entry,” he said.

Such a group should also assess the overall budget required to deliver different versions of the SFS, so that a case can be made to the UK Government for adequate funding. Changes can be made to the final scheme if that funding falls short of what is required.

“The current and incoming Welsh Government must now seriously consider every single one of the thousands of responses to the consultation and work with the industry to design a scheme that is genuinely fit for purpose.

“On a final note, I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to the Union staff and to everyone who attended our SFS county meetings and contributed to the final FUW response,” concluded Ian Rickman.

FUW response Sustainable Farming Scheme consultation March 2024

A Welsh Way Forward

 

History repeating itself says FUW as two agricultural Senedd motions voted down

Following a protest by thousands of farmers and staff from associated businesses on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay last week (28 February), the Senedd proceeded to debate and vote down two motions on policies relating to the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) and bovine TB.

The Welsh Conservatives motion called on the Welsh Government to scrap the current sustainable farming scheme proposals and to re-engage with the farming sector to develop a new scheme that has the support of the farming community.

The second motion on bovine TB, tabled by Plaid Cymru, called on the Welsh Government to urgently undertake a long-term evaluation and appraisal of current cattle controls to determine their relative effectiveness in preventing and controlling disease transmission. Additionally the motion also asked for immediate changes to on-farm slaughter policy and establish policies which reflect wildlife as a source of infection.

Speaking in response to the debates, FUW President Ian Rickman said: “I am proud to say that the agricultural community stood in unity on the steps of the Senedd last week to express the strength of feeling towards the current situation and the future direction of agricultural policy in Wales.

“We heard many speakers say, including Senedd Members, how at difficult times we must stand together in unity. However, despite our presence and the very real frustrations of the farming community that have been demonstrated by events right across Wales over recent weeks, the Senedd votes reflected party political priorities rather than real consideration of the facts.

“This is history repeating itself since two years ago Plaid Cymru’s motion to annul the Control of Agricultural Pollution ‘NVZ’ regulations was lost by 30 votes to 27 despite the regulations repeatedly being referred to ‘as a hammer to crack a nut.’”

Following recent meetings with both farming unions and other farming representatives the First Minister and Minister for Rural Affairs issued a joint statement outlining the next steps now being considered to the SFS. There were also some comments made by the Government around the issue of bovine TB and the ‘NVZ’ regulations but no clear way forward has emerged on either of these two issues.

“While it’s positive to see that at least some steps are now being considered with the SFS, it is truly disheartening to think it has taken thousands of us standing on the steps of the Senedd for the Welsh Government to acknowledge the severity of the situation and issue a rather bland statement which doesn’t come close to addressing our concerns.

“As a professional farming union, with members’ interests at our core, we have a duty to work with both the government in power and the opposition parties to drive things forward. Our job will continue: ensuring that Wales’ agricultural sector and our family farms receive the consideration and respect they deserve,” added Mr Rickman.

WG announcement on Farming Scheme and farmers Senedd protest

It is positive to see that at least some steps are already being considered from the Rural Affairs Minister’s announcement (27 Feb) with regards to the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

FUW President, Ian Rickman said: “We have made the feeling of our members abundantly clear during our meeting with the Welsh Government (19 February). At that meeting we called for a rethink of the current SFS proposals and for closer collaboration of the changes needed on the scheme in conjunction with interested parties and both farming unions.

“However, it is important to distinguish between being economically sustainable and economically resilient. It is also imperative that we fully consider the impacts of any woodland and habitat requirements, even if they don't go as far as to make farm businesses 'unviable'.

“As a Union, we will continue to work with the Welsh Government on the development of the SFS. We will also continue in our endeavours to lobby WG officials and the Rural Affairs Minister to change direction on their TB policy and discuss the way forward on the agricultural pollution policies.

“As thousands of farmers descend on the Senedd today to relay the strength of feeling towards the current SFS, we thank them for their commitment to producing quality food during trying times. 

“As custodians of the Welsh landscape with generations of our ancestors who have cared for the green hills that surround us, we are proud to stand in unity on the Senedd steps today.

“We must also thank the public for their continued support to the industry. We have received messages of support from across Wales and beyond in recent weeks, and we are grateful that people appreciate the steps we take to produce quality, wholesome food within our local communities.

“Lastly, freedom of expression and peaceful protest is a fundamentally important right within a democracy. It is a Human Right and incorporated into UK Law. We stand proud to express ourselves safely, with dignity with respect to others. I’d urge everyone to enjoy the day, and act peacefully and within the law,” he concluded.

Farmers’ Union of Wales officials and staff continue to encourage and support members and rural businesses to respond to the current Welsh Government consultation on the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). The consultation closes on Thursday 7th March 2024.

Lack of consideration for tenants and new entrants under SFS proposals is concerning, says FUW Presidential Policy Team

The lack of consideration of tenant farmers and proper support for new entrants were just some of the key concerns expressed by the Presidential Policy Team of the Farmers’ Union of Wales during a meeting held recently at Builth Wells.

This was the final formal meeting held by the FUW to discuss the initial feedback received from over 1,500 farmers at local county meetings across Wales in recent weeks. It will be used to formulate the Union’s final response to the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) consultation.

Speaking after the meeting, FUW President Ian Rickman said: “Whilst many of the comments and concerns raised in our local county meetings were discussed at length, Union officials raised some serious concerns around the impracticalities tenant farmers may face when trying to enter the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

“Moves to annualised agreements and exemptions to the 10% tree cover requirements for tenants are of course welcomed. However, a number of other practical limitations for tenants must also be considered, such as the ability to obtain landlords’ permission to create new ponds and habitats or deciding who has management control of historical features or individual trees within hedgerows.

“Minister for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, has said many times that if the SFS does not work for the tenanted sector then it does not work at all. All of these practical examples will need to be addressed if all active farmers are to have an equal opportunity to join the scheme,” he said.

FUW Younger Voice for Farming Committee Chair, Gemma Haines said: “It’s clear that the concerns and questions raised during meetings of the Welsh Government’s New Entrants Working Group also seem to have been dismissed here. 

“New and young entrants who decide to enter the SFS from next year onwards will have to surrender thousands of pounds worth of entitlements, and those that enter the industry from next year onwards won’t be entitled to claim the stability payment at all.

“The Welsh Government claims to have removed barriers for new and young entrants, but, there remains no commitment to properly support these individuals who are new to the industry with something akin to a meaningful top-up payment.”

FUW Regional Vice President for south Wales, Brian Bowen, also highlighted the lack of detail around the extent in which common land graziers will be supported as the BPS is phased out and the Collaborative Actions are implemented. 

For many graziers, the common land proportion of their BPS payment is significant, with most having already faced significant cuts in payments between Glastir Commons and the Habitat Wales Scheme.

“I would like to thank the Presidential Team and Standing Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs for attending this meeting and contributing to such an important discussion at this busy time. The need for every business and individual in rural Wales to respond to the consultation was clearly the take home message,” concluded Ian Rickman.

The closing date for consultation submission on the Sustainable Farming Scheme is Thursday, 7 March. You can respond by clicking on these links: 

English: https://www.fuw.org.uk/index.php/en/sfs-consultation

Welsh: https://www.fuw.org.uk/index.php/en/sfs-consultation-cy 

Book your SAF 2024 appointment

It’s that time of year again when we start thinking about Single Application Forms (SAF). The application window opens on March 4th and the FUW is reminding its members that county staff are here to help and ready to take the stress of filling the form away.

The FUW provides this service as part of the membership package, which has proved invaluable for thousands of members over the years - saving them time and a paperwork-headache. 

FUW Special Policy Advisor Rebecca Voyle said: “The SAF completion process is probably the single most important form completion exercise being carried out by Welsh farmers since 2004, and the financial repercussions of errors on the forms are severe. Our staff are not only well trained but very well practised in dealing with the complex application process.”

Since the Welsh Government mandated that all applications should be done online, the FUW has focused on providing the best possible service to its members. 

“I encourage our members and first time form fillers to contact their local office as soon as possible to book an appointment if they need help in filling out the form,” added Rebecca Voyle.

Contact

Tel: 01970 820820
Email: post@fuw.org.uk
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