Responding to a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, confirming two funding schemes to support investment in on farm infrastructure, James Evans MS, Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs said:
“I'm glad to see the Welsh Government has softened its approach and acknowledged the real challenges farmers face with the constant rainfall. It's a step in the right direction that they've provided extra funding for on-farm improvements to help meet Nutrient Management requirements as farmers are a key stakeholder in keeping our rivers clean and with farm incomes falling, they need government support to enable them to comply with the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations. However, with Welsh Government only providing up to 50% of the funding it is still a huge challenge for farm businesses to find the additional monies.
“It's a welcome change that the new Cabinet Secretary appears to be listening to the industry. I hope he'll now work collaboratively across the Senedd to revisit the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). We need a scheme that supports our farmers, not hinders them. Only by working together with farmers can the Welsh Government achieve its long-term goals for climate change and nature recovery.”
