The Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) 2026 description has been released after considerable delay and climb downs from unpopular initial proposals, such as the now ditched 10% minimum tree cover requirement.
The Welsh Conservatives have repeatedly called for an economic impact assessment to accompany the new SFS to give farmers an understanding about the real-world consequences of the scheme. As Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs in 2024, James Evans, Senedd Member for Brecon & Radnorshire launched the Welsh Conservatives alternative proposal to SFS. This called for more flexibility, scrapping of tree planting targets and a 70% baseline payment, as similar to Scotland. James Evans MS was moved to Shadow Minister for Health in December 2024, but with his farming background and rural roots, he remains passionate about protecting our agricultural sector.
James Evans MS for Brecon & Radnorshire said:
“Welsh Government have listened to the concerns of the industry, taken note of the proposals by the Welsh Conservatives and others, and introduced flexibility into the now final SFS scheme. There are some positives with the 10% tree planting target being dropped, fewer universal actions to undertake and most importantly, a basic SFS payment equivalent of 70% BPS. But there continues to be areas of concern and some details remain unknown.
“I am concerned that for those not yet ready to commit to SFS, the 40% reduction in BPS payments in 2026 for non-SFS entrants will be a significant hit. This together with the tapering off in the following years and a complete stop to BPS in 2029 is a massive change. This is a ‘stick’ approach to force businesses to move over to SFS. It is a big step to commit to joining SFS as once in, there is no recourse to go back into BPS and I urge each and every business to think carefully and assess what is right for their own circumstances. A ready-reckoner will be available at the Royal Welsh Show for individuals to calculate what this will mean to their own business.
“We have been told that impact assessments, environmental and economic, have been undertaken but these have not been published. I fear that this SFS Scheme, together with UK Government’s Family Farm Tax, could lead to reduction in livestock numbers, reduction in family farms and thousands of job losses right across Wales.
“I hope that whoever is in Government in Wales after the 2026 election will commit to maintaining the 2026 payment levels at a minimum, and look to increase funding by utilising climate change budgets to support our agricultural sector. Welsh Government is expecting farmers to carry the burden of climate change mitigation, provide valuable data to the state on carbon audits and soil health, take out 10% of their land for habitat and so on and in return, the state should be adequately supporting them to do this."
