RSPB Cymru’s response to the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme

Fersiwn Gymraeg ar gael yma. 

The Welsh Government is running its final consultation on its new Sustainable Farming Scheme, and it’s no understatement to say that a huge amount depends on it. In short, the Scheme must use a finite amount of public money to support Welsh agriculture respond to the pressures and challenges of an increasingly changing and uncertain world, in ways that benefit farming and wider society. 

In the twentieth century farmers were asked to produce more food, which they did successfully. They are now also being asked to play a major role in tackling the nature and climate emergency. To do this they need a Scheme that provides them with the tools for the job and a plan that will help them transition to a sustainable future.

Restoring nature and the ecosystems nature maintains will be fundamental to securing this future. So here is what we think of the Welsh Government’s proposals for nature in its new Sustainable Farming Scheme.

To begin with there’s much to welcome, particularly the requirement for all farmers entering the Scheme’s Universal Layer to manage a minimum of 10% of land as habitats for nature.  Having lost so much nature across Wales, (e.g., 90% of flower-rich meadows have gone) it’s vital we adopt this Universal response to halt further declines and build the foundation for nature’s recovery.  The requirements for hedgerows to be managed in a nature friendly way and the provision of farm ponds are also welcome.

This is a good start, however if the Scheme is really going to help farmers across Wales save nature the proposals need to be strengthened.  These are our recommendations on how:

1. The minimum of 10% habitats must be improved so that farmers are paid to manage the right mix of habitats across Wales to help nature thrive once more. This mix should replicate those habitats that traditional farming would have once provided in abundance, including flowering habitats and seed-bearing crops, thick hedges, scrub and rough grassy areas. Where new habitats are required, they must be manged in ways that benefit nature. The current proposals don’t guarantee this.
2. The Scheme must ensure farmers with Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and/or rare and vulnerable species, like Curlew, are supported to manage their land appropriately. Current proposals fall short of this and must be improved so that farmers are paid for maintaining their SSSIs as well as developing delivery plans for Sites and species. The delivery of these plans should then be prioritised and appropriately incentivised through the higher layers of the scheme.
3. We support more trees on farms, which in the right places can deliver multiple benefits for farming, nature, climate and society. However, we are concerned the proposals identify low-quality habitats, which can be the remaining and/or most nature-rich areas on some farms, as the most suitable for tree planting. To avoid unintended negative consequences for nature, Welsh Government must ensure tree planting is compatible with land management necessary to maintain and restore nature, including at the farm scale.
4. With less than 12 months to go before the start of the Scheme, farmers must now be provided with information on payment rates so that they can plan. We believe these payments must reward them fairly for the work they undertake and reflect environmental benefits secured for society. Welsh Government should also explain how the overall budget will be allocated against all layers of the Scheme and what this will achieve, including for nature. We also believe Welsh Government should secure a realistic budget for the Scheme, which is asking farmers to deliver more than previously.  An independent assessment found Wales requires £496 million annually to meet environmental land management priorities alone.
5. Finally, ensuring farmers can access appropriate advice and guidance throughout the lifetime of their contracts will be essential in helping farming transition to a sustainable future. Key to this will be advice provision that takes a joined-up approach to all scheme objectives. If we want Welsh farmers to farm for food, nature and climate it’s vital they receive balanced advice to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve this integrated approach. Ensuring Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is adequately resourced to provide the required support for SSSIs, woodland creation and compliance with environmental regulations will also be vital to the successful delivery of the Scheme.

In asking our farmers to produce food, tackle climate change and save nature we are posing them with a huge challenge. If they are to succeed, it’s essential they have an effective Scheme, with fair payments and plenty of support as and when they need it.  The Sustainable Farming Scheme is our one chance to get all of this right.

It's vital as many people as possible make their voice heard - this is our one opportunity to get this right Respond online | GOV.WALES

Nature friendly farmers in Wales have also put together an open letter to Welsh Government on the scheme. Show your support by signing it here Support Welsh Farming