14th May 2024

Welsh Rural Affairs Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies has confirmed that the introduction of the Sustainable Farming Scheme will be delayed until 2026.

He confirmed that the Basic Payment Scheme would continue to be available in 2025 to Welsh farmers, with the proposed SFS transition period starting from 2026, with an announcement to follow on the BPS ceiling.

Existing rural investment schemes, such as the small grants schemes, will continue to support infrastructure changes.

Earlier in May Huw Irranca-Davies also announced the creation of an SFS Ministerial Roundtable to evaluate the SFS proposals and consultation responses, which would include farmers, farming unions and other stakeholders. With regards to the controversial 10% tree cover he said “one of the first tasks of the SFS Ministerial Roundtable will be to look at any further and alternative proposals to achieve additional carbon sequestration within the SFS.”