A revised Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) is one step closer to reality following the announcement of a new Ministerial Roundtable.

The Roundtable - made up of farmers, farming unions, and other stakeholders - has been announced by Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies.

It has the aim of achieving a revised Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

In a written statement, the Cabinet Secretary said it is intended that the first meeting of the group will take place this month.

Mr Irraca-Davies said: “The Roundtable, which I will chair, will review the key programme outputs and critical steps leading to the development of a revised Scheme, in advance of a final decision by Welsh Ministers. This will consider evidence such as the consultation analysis, updated economic assessment, and outputs from a supporting SFS officials’ group and other task and finish groups.  

“The intention is to work at pace to identify areas of agreement and place the emphasis on matters where more work is required. I expect to have the first meeting of the Roundtable in May and my priority is to listen to the issues raised and to find a way forward which hopefully works for all.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the announcement from the Minister, but says the Roundtable must now deliver “meaningful change”.

FUW President Ian Rickman said: “One of our key asks following the consultation was to establish a small focused SFS design stakeholder group tasked with considering details of different elements of the scheme, along with payment rates and overall budgetary requirements. We therefore welcome this announcement which outlines plans to establish such a group, providing us with a formal platform to scrutinise and rework the scheme so that it properly delivers for Welsh farmers and our rural communities.

“However, I reiterate this message again; the scheme needs far more than touching up around the edges. It needs a radical rethink and this group must now deliver meaningful change within the timeframe presented to us.”

The Cabinet Secretary’s statement also highlights how one of the first tasks of the Ministerial Roundtable will be to look at any further and alternative proposals to achieve additional carbon sequestration within the SFS.

Mr Rickman said: “This development is also welcomed given the urgent need to evaluate the science around net zero and carbon sequestration to help develop the SFS. This element needs to take into account all actions farmers can undertake to make progress towards net zero in a sustainable way.

“The engagement we’ve had as a Union with the Cabinet Secretary and his officials to date has been positive and this statement reflects those discussions. The FUW is ready to burn the midnight oil to ensure we get to the right place before the end of the year, in order that this scheme is workable both economically and environmentally.”

James Evans MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Rural Affairs Minister also welcomed the Roundtable but said it cannot be a “tick box exercise” for the Cabinet Secretary,

“Any recommendations that come from the group must be actioned and taken forward. I stand ready to do my part to get the changes that the industry desperately needs,” said Mr Evans. 

“In the coming months, the Welsh Conservatives will come forward with a framework of a scheme we believe would work for our rural communities in Wales. We want to work in real partnership with our rural communities to develop a scheme that supports rural businesses, not hinders them. Only by working together with industry can the Welsh Government achieve its long-term goals for climate change, nature recovery and food security.”