James Evans says the farming sector is still "in limbo" despite changes to the Sustainable Farming Scheme announced by the Welsh Government today.

At the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies announced that plans to require Welsh farmers to have trees on 10 per cent of their land in order to qualify for government funding have been dropped.

This was the headline change to the controversial Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) which is to be introduced in 2026.

Mr Evans, Brecon and Radnorshire MS and Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs said: "Whilst it is positive that there has been a more collaborative approach from the Welsh Government, there is still more ground to cover with this scheme.

“Indeed, there are still many more key decisions to be made, and there is still no payment rate attached to the scheme, making it very difficult for farmers to plan in the longer term, which continues to leave the sector in limbo."

Mr Evans said that farmers in Wales still remain doubtful over the plans.

“Unfortunately, there is still a huge rift between Labour and the farming community because of how this scheme has been developed and now the new changes to inheritance tax, so while there is some positive news today, farmers across Wales remain sceptical that this will be a scheme that works for them," he said.

He also announced a new farming scheme launched today by the Welsh Conservatives.