FUW welcomes Welsh Government announcements on SFS support and slurry spreading
The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed today’s announcement (Wednesday 23 September 2026) by the Welsh Government that it has increased the advanced payment rate available to farmers under the BPS (Basic Payment Scheme) and SFS (Sustainable Farming Scheme) from 70% to 80% and will legislate to extend the open period for farmers to spread slurry and manure until 15 November.
The announcement comes a day after FUW representatives met with the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, Llyr Gruffydd MS, in Cardiff to press for the changes that have been outlined today.
FUW President Ian Rickman said:
“Today’s announcement by the Welsh Government will provide welcome relief to farmers across Wales following what has been an extremely challenging season for farming businesses. With farmers facing the pressing dilemma whether to vaccinate their animals against Bluetongue Virus or buy more forage for the winter, this increased farm support payment in October will go a long way to relieve short-term financial pressure.
“We welcome the pragmatic and timely action the Cabinet Minister has taken in response to our concerns. We look forward to building on this to deliver long-term changes to the Sustainable Farming Scheme, including key areas that require urgent attention to ensure the universal layer of the Scheme is more accessible and practical in 2027.”
The Welsh Government’s announcement also follows on from the publication of the FUW’s policy paper on Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations launched at Usk Show on 12 September.
The paper illustrates how current regulations have significantly increased administrative and financial burdens on farm businesses, yet Natural Resources Wales (NRW) compliance data supports concerns that a significant proportion of recorded non-compliances relate to administrative or record-keeping requirements rather than evidence of pollution incidents or environmental harm.
Mr Rickman added:
“This autumn, many farmers are expecting to graze and take cuts of silage much later than usual following a poor summer harvest, as they try to address the looming shortage of winter fodder that some businesses are already facing. Extending the period for taking out slurry on all soil and land types affords them valuable time to make better use of these nutrients and safely empty their stores as winter approaches.
“However, the need to address the longer term challenges remains. We are calling for a more proportionate, risk-based approach. This would include exploring alternatives to fixed closed periods, reviewing the operation of nitrogen limits, simplifying record keeping and administrative requirements, and enabling greater flexibility and innovation in how the regulations are applied. The regulations as they stand are simply too rigid, too costly and too bureaucratic, and this year alone has shown how farming by calendar does not work.”
