Welsh version available here
Do you agree that we need to secure a brighter future for Wales’ wildlife and farming communities by increasing investment in nature friendly farming practices? We believe the funding farmers receive from the Welsh Government must support them to farm in a way that benefits nature and tackles climate change. Here we outline why this funding is at risk and why this matters.
Why support funding for farming that looks after nature?
Nature is in decline across Wales, with one in six species at risk of extinction nationally. 84% of Wales is farmed so putting nature at the heart of the way we produce our food and investing in nature-friendly farming, is the best chance we have of seeing our wildlife recover. Nature’s recovery is also vital to our well-being as nature provides us with the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soils to grow our food, as well as helping to tackle climate change and reduce the risk of flooding.
Agri-environment schemes and tackling the biodiversity crisis
The Welsh Government is shaping the future of agriculture through the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). The Scheme has to deliver on the objectives of sustainable land management set out by the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023, which include tackling climate change, restoring biodiversity and promoting sustainable food production.
In addition to delivering biodiversity targets, the SFS will also serve as the primary source of Government support for farmers in Wales, so it’s vital that Welsh Government gets this new policy framework and support payment structure right.
Public money for environmental benefits
RSPB Cymru has supported and influenced the Welsh Government in its development of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, so that when it is introduced in January 2026 it uses public money to restore and maintain nature and the wider environment for all of us - enabling farmers to produce food sustainably, while restoring biodiversity, tackling climate change and making farms more resilient and profitable.
The current budget for agriculture in Wales is at risk of being eroded
Wales has received approximately £340m per annum for agriculture. However, the UK Government has decided to do away with ring-fenced funding for agriculture and include it as part of Wales’ block grant from the UK Treasury. This means there are no guarantees this money will be used to support farming in Wales, and we are worried Welsh farmers will not be adequately supported to help nature to recover.
Economic Analysis states that we need £595K to fund nature-positive farming and meet Wales’ climate and nature restoration goals, and so the consequences of having an inadequate budget will be significant on wildlife, and the wider benefits nature provides.
Public support in Wales
RSPB Cymru commissioned an independent survey by Beaufort Research Limited to find out about peoples’ attitudes to nature and wildlife in Wales. The online survey (3-23 March 2025) of a representative sample of 1000 adults (16+) from across Wales found that 61% of Welsh adults believe the environmental impact of the food they buy matters to them, while only 14% disagree. 68% agree that farmers should be required to use the public funding they receive from the Welsh Government to farm in a way that benefits nature and tackles climate change. Only 9% disagree.
Take action
Welsh Government budget discussions will shortly turn to focus on how money will be allocated for the SFS in 2026/27. Wales has a unique opportunity to lead the way in preparing farming for a nature-positive, climate-neutral future through bold leadership and investment. If Welsh Government fails to act ambitiously, the consequences for nature – and all of us – could be disastrous. It’s vital that we act now!
Please take action now by signing our e-action calling for Welsh Government to ‘increase and secure the budget for nature and climate friendly farming in Wales’