One day after the Welsh Government published its revised Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), a stormy debate unfolded in the Senedd yesterday (16 July) as Members probed the updated scheme. The debate revealed deep divisions over its implementation, the impact on rural communities and the role of democratic oversight.
The Welsh Conservatives had brought the debate and were fully briefed by Countryside Alliance Wales in advance. The motion called for a final, binding vote on the SFS before it is implemented. Opening the debate, Samuel Kurtz MS (Con, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire) criticised the Welsh Government for what he described as its dismissive approach to the agricultural sector. Citing widespread discontent, including mass protests and a 3% trust rating among farmers, he argued the new scheme lacks legitimacy and fails to address lingering concerns: particularly regarding tree planting, payment transitions and the absence of an economic impact assessment.
Mr Kurtz emphasised that agriculture remains central to Wales’ identity and economy, supporting 50,000 direct jobs and a further 230,000 through the supply chains. He warned that failure to secure the sector’s confidence could erode not only farm incomes, but also the social and linguistic fabric of rural Wales.
Plaid Cymru backed the motion, with Llyr Gruffydd MS (PC, North Wales) reaffirming the sector’s importance to the Welsh language, biodiversity, and economy. He stressed that the SFS must fulfil the obligations set out in the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023 and called for robust scrutiny to ensure the scheme delivers its objectives.
On the Labour benches, opinions varied. Former Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths MS (Lab, Wrexham) lamented the fact that the new scheme no longer includes the controversial requirement for 10% tree cover on every farm; she insisted that farmers should be financially rewarded for helping combat climate change. Mr Kurtz had argued that while the mandate has been scrapped, the expectation remains with the new scheme still requiring 10 of every farm as “habitat”. Lee Waters MS (Lab, Llanelli) attacked the tone of the debate, accusing farming unions of being “fixated on a grievance narrative” amplified by opposition parties. Post-Brexit funding realities, he contended, mean public money must deliver environmental benefits alongside food production.
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies (Lab, Ogmore) defended the revised scheme as the product of unprecedented consultation with farmers and environmental stakeholders. He rejected the call for a binding vote, arguing that what farmers need now is certainty. He confirmed that a statutory instrument detailing payment rates would be brought before the Senedd in the autumn, allowing further parliamentary scrutiny.
While some welcomed that the scheme had been simplified and the 10% tree cover mandate removed, critics remained sceptical. Gareth Davies MS (Con, Vale of Clwyd) and Peter Fox MS (Con, Monmouth) both highlighted the financial strain and bureaucratic burden farmers face. They warned of next year’s proposed “cliff-edge” 40% cut in Basic Payment Scheme support and argued that without an impact assessment, the full economic impact remains unclear.
Concerns remain despite the revised scheme being seen as an improvement on the earlier draft. Members repeatedly called for transparency, adequate funding and flexibility to ensure the scheme supports an appropriate balance between food production, environmental stewardship and the sustainability of rural communities.
The motion was narrowly defeated by 22 votes to 20, which further shows that consensus remains elusive. While the SFS marks a significant policy shift in post-EU Welsh agriculture, its successful implementation will depend on rebuilding trust and ensuring the voices of farmers are not only heard, but acted upon. Countryside Alliance Wales will continue to stand in their corner.