The Farmers’ Union of Wales has recently (21 March) provided oral evidence as part of the Senedd Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee’s inquiry into the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), during which the Union presented a strong case for the need to rethink current proposals.

As the recently appointed First Minister for Wales, Vaughan Gething MS, announces his new Senedd Cabinet, it has been revealed that Huw Irranca-Davies MS will be taking up the role of Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs.

In writing to the recently appointed Secretary, FUW President Ian Rickman said: “Firstly, I would like to congratulate Huw Irranca-Davies on being appointed as the new Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs. On behalf of the FUW, I wish him every success in the role and we look forward to working with him and his officials in shaping a better future for Welsh agriculture.

"This is certainly an extremely busy time for the farming sector. However, the depth of feeling and frustration demonstrated only weeks ago in Cardiff and across Wales has by no means gone away. The new Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs takes on this portfolio at one of the most critical times for the future of our industry.”

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.

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.