Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy is disappointed to see that changes to the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme still do not go far enough.
Although the requirement for farms to have 10% tree cover has been scrapped, and the Universal Actions reduced from 17 to 12, the revised scheme still reflects significant bureaucracy and Welsh Government overreach.
Moreover, the statement still lacks sufficient detail, and the absence of an impact assessment leaves farmers uncertain about the future of agricultural support in Wales.
Commenting on the latest version of the Scheme, Janet said:
“I have this afternoon sent a letter formally objecting to the latest version of the Scheme.
“While the 10% tree cover figure has been scrapped, I am still deeply concerned by several aspects of the Scheme, especially numerous Universal Actions.
“For example, I disagree with UA2 forcing farmers to study; disagree with UA7 enabling Welsh Government to micromanage sward height, grazing numbers, and stock exclusion periods; and disagree with UA8 requiring 10% of farmland to be temporary or existing habitat;
“I am also deeply concerned that the Welsh Government has not published an updated economic analysis and impact assessment. We should not be left guessing.
“Finally, I note with disappointment the lack of attention this Scheme provides to the value of producing food, the value of tackling this country’s food security crisis, and the vital importance for climate change for us to reduce reliance on imported goods. As it stands, there is a risk that this latest Scheme will reduce agricultural productivity, and as such, have a detrimental impact on the world as reliance on food from abroad, with its larger carbon footprint, increases in Wales.”
ENDS
Document: Letter to the Cabinet Secretary
Photo: Janet
