Welsh Government Revises Sustainable Farming Scheme

The Welsh government has scrapped its controversial requirement for farmers to maintain 10% tree cover on their land as part of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). This decision follows widespread protests from farmers and has been replaced with a scheme-wide target for tree planting and hedgerow creation, allowing farmers to determine the placement and quantity of trees. Despite this change, farmers must still manage 10% of their land as habitat, with new options for creating temporary habitats being considered. Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies emphasized the government’s commitment to listening to the farming community and ensuring that the SFS supports both farmers and environmental goals. The final scheme details, including payment rates, are still under development and expected to be announced next summer.