What action is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that a new sustainable farming scheme has the support of the farming community?
Welsh Government is working with the Ministerial Roundtable to help finalise the Sustainable Farming Scheme. The Roundtable has a wide representation from the farming industry, farmers, the wider supply chain, and veterinary, nature, forestry, and food sectors.
I have heard farmers feedback, and the purpose of the Ministerial Roundtable is to further develop the partnership approach needed to finalise the design and implementation of the SFS, in line with the Sustainable Land Management objectives of the Agriculture (Wales) Act, and building on previous phases of co-design and engagement.
The Scheme will only be introduced when it is ready. This is why the SFS Transition Period will now commence in 2026, preceded by a Preparatory Phase in 2025, details of which were set out in my recent statement to the Senedd.