What consideration has the Minister given to the number of job losses that would be acceptable in the sustainable farming scheme economic impact assessment before the scheme had to be withdrawn or changed?
We have commissioned independent modelling of the estimated impacts of scheme design on a range of economic, environmental and social factors. The published economic assessment is an important piece of work which helped inform our consultation so issues could be addressed. It is not an assessment of the proposals in our latest consultation [which closed on 7 March]. We will undertake further analysis, upon completion of this current consultation, before making any final decisions for a scheme designed to meet the Sustainable Land management objectives included in the Agriculture (Wales) Act.