Will the Minister confirm whether existing woodland and hedgerows will be accounted for when referring to the 10 per cent requirement of woodlands for the Sustainable Farming Scheme subsidies?
Answered by Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd | Answered on 14/02/2024
The Sustainable Farming Scheme consultation proposal is to include existing broadleaf and coniferous woodland, scattered groups, and individual trees in fields and hedgerows (greater than 3m, so not the hedgerow itself). Orchard trees and trees within agroforestry systems are also included.