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GM crops backed by new study

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PH270516_Page_37_Image_0003THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, America’s most prestigious scientific institution has published a that finds that GM crops are safe, but need to be used in agriculture with care.

Following a systematic review, the Academy has published a 407 page report which pulls together experts with diverse backgrounds, took public comment, and solicited input from a wide range of interests. They decided specifically not to rely on any previous review, but to conduct their own review of the primary literature.

The report gives this summary of its findings regarding the health risks of GMOs (for which the report uses the synonym “genetically engineered/GE”):

The design and analysis of many animal-feeding studies were not optimal, but the large number of experimental studies provided reasonable evidence that animals were not harmed by eating food derived from GE crops.

Additionally, long-term data on livestock health before and after the introduction of GE crops showed no adverse effects associated with GE crops.

The committee also examined epidemiological data on incidence of cancers and other human-health problems over time and found no substantiated evidence that foods from GE crops were less safe than foods from non-GE crops.

The report’s findings show that there is no particular reason to believe that currently available GM crops pose any health risk or that they are different with regard to their safety and nutrition from their conventional analogues. There is also nothing about the current processes used to generate GMOs that would theoretically pose a unique health risk.

It is especially compelling that over the last two decades, animals and humans exposed to GMOs have not experienced any relative increase in any major disease.

The report also finds that the introduction of available GMOs has generally had a positive effect on farmers and the environment. They write: ‘The available evidence indicates that GE soybean, cotton, and maize have generally had favourable economic outcomes for producers who have adopted these crops’.

However, the report also notes that outcomes have been variable ‘depending on pest abundance, farming practices, and agricultural infrastructure’.

The report finds that while GMOs have been a useful tool to increase profits for farmers and can be very beneficial to the environment, yhey have to be used correctly and are not a panacea.

The NAS committee found that the introduction of Bt varieties (which incorporate a natural pesticide) reduced overall pesticide use, reduced pest populations (and therefore benefited even non-GMO crops), and increased insect diversity.

Likewise, the use of herbicide-resistant crops has resulted in a small increase in yield without any decrease in plant diversity.

In both cases, however, the report also notes that if these technologies are overused then pesticide and herbicide resistance will become a problem. They recommend, as have many previous experts and reviews, that Bt and herbicide-resistant crops be used as part of integrated pest management.

The report’s authors argue that current regulations are based upon a false dichotomy, between conventional and genetically modified organisms. They point out that emerging technologies are increasingly blurring the lines.

Gene editing is not quite genetic engineering, and genetic technologies are being used to guide crop breeding, for example: ‘Emerging genetic technologies have blurred the distinction between genetic engineering and conventional plant breeding to the point where regulatory systems based on process are technically difficult to defend.

‘The committee recommends that new varieties – whether genetically engineered or conventionally bred – be subjected to safety testing if they have novel intended or unintended characteristics with potential hazards’.

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Farming

Farming future at a crossroads as final Welsh support scheme unveiled

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Unions, politicians and sector leaders respond to ‘once-in-a-generation’ changes in land policy

THE FINAL version of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) has been published—sparking a fierce national debate over the future of food production, land management and the economic survival of rural communities across Wales.

Due to come into force on 1 January 2026, the scheme will replace the European Union’s Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), marking the end of a decade-long post-Brexit transition. It introduces a new three-tier model of support—Universal, Optional and Collaborative—with all participating farmers required to undertake twelve baseline actions such as maintaining hedgerows, improving soil health, and managing wildlife habitats.

The Welsh Government has framed the move as a bold shift towards sustainable land stewardship. But farming unions, opposition parties and rural campaigners have expressed serious concerns about the timing, funding, and long-term consequences of the proposals.

There had been protests over the proposals (Image: Sam Kurtz)

FUW: ‘A generational milestone—but not perfect’

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) described the publication of the final scheme as a “generational milestone,” representing the culmination of years of intense discussions between the sector and Welsh Government.

FUW President IAN RICKMAN said: “We have left no stone unturned in our ambition to secure a viable post-Brexit farm support framework. This is a watershed moment for Welsh agriculture.”

The FUW welcomed several major concessions, including:

  • A combined £238 million budget for Universal payments and BPS tapering;
  • A reduction in Universal Actions from 17 to 12;
  • Exemptions for tenant farmers;
  • Removal of the controversial 10% tree cover requirement.

However, the union remains deeply concerned about the scheme’s remaining obligations, particularly the 10% habitat requirement, which many believe will reduce the amount of productive farmland available. Mr Rickman also criticised the “disappointing” tapering schedule for existing BPS payments—set to fall to 60% in 2026 and drop by 20% each subsequent year.

“We urged a gentler five-step reduction starting at 80%. Despite this milestone, we will continue to push for practical improvements as implementation begins.”

NSA: ‘Stark choice for farmers’

The National Sheep Association (NSA) acknowledged progress but warned that many producers now face a stark decision.

NSA Chief Executive PHIL STOCKER said: “Farmers must now ask themselves—do they work with government and adopt environmental delivery, or do they walk away and farm independently without public support?”

NSA Cymru’s HELEN ROBERTS noted the omission of sheep from the Welsh Government’s press release as troubling: “There will be winners and losers. Some of the actions reflect existing good practice, but we’re worried about increased red tape and a lack of clarity on long-term outcomes. The steep cut to 60% BPS is harsher than expected and creates uncertainty.”

Paul Davies MS: ‘Another blow to farmers’

Preseli Pembrokeshire MS PAUL DAVIES described the final SFS as yet another blow to farmers already struggling under government pressure.

“This is dressed up as a new approach, but it’s another blow to Welsh farmers already reeling from devastating government policies. The cut to 60% is cruel and unjustified.”

Mr Davies criticised the absence of a published economic impact assessment, accusing both the Welsh and UK governments of abandoning the rural economy.

“From inheritance tax changes to bovine TB inaction and new hoops for farmers to jump through, it’s clear that governments on both ends of the M4 have failed to support our producers.”

Samuel Kurtz MS: ‘Still no answers on funding or impact’

On his feet: Sam Kurtz MS in the Senedd (Image: Senedd TV)

Welsh Conservative Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary SAMUEL KURTZ accused the Welsh Government of publishing the final SFS without full transparency or accountability.

“After seven long years, farmers still don’t know what this scheme will really cost their businesses. Labour’s relationship with rural Wales is broken,” he said.

Mr Kurtz also criticised the Cabinet Secretary for failing to release the impact assessment, which, he claims, ministers have already seen.

“I stood shoulder to shoulder with farmers on the Senedd steps last year—and I continue to stand with them against any policy that threatens food security and rural livelihoods.”

Plaid Cymru: ‘A step forward—but not far enough’

Plaid Cymru’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs spokesperson, LLYR GRUFFYDD MS, acknowledged that the final scheme had improved following sector engagement—but said serious funding questions remained unanswered.

“It’s clear that this scheme has evolved from its initial form. As the farming unions and others have rightly pointed out, the scheme is an improvement on the one originally proposed,” he said.

“While we welcome the £238 million funding for the year ahead, a one-year pledge is simply not enough. A Plaid Cymru government would guarantee that level of support in real terms as a minimum and introduce a multi-year funding cycle.”

Mr Gruffydd also raised concerns about balance across the scheme’s tiers, the structure of the transition period, and the still-undefined “social value” payment.

“We trust these issues will be addressed swiftly, because, as ever, the devil will be in the detail.”

Labour blocks call for Senedd vote

Amid mounting pressure, Welsh Labour MSs voted down a motion in the Senedd this week which would have required a binding vote on the scheme’s implementation before it came into effect.

“By voting against this, Labour has dismissed farmers’ concerns once again,” said Mr Kurtz. “Trust is at an all-time low.”

Looking ahead

The Welsh Government has pledged to publish a “ready reckoner” tool in the coming weeks to help farmers estimate the financial value of their participation in the new scheme.

The BPS tapering will begin in 2026, with recipients receiving 60% of their previous payments, and reductions of 20% annually thereafter.

An economic impact assessment—originally expected to be published alongside the final scheme—is now due in September 2025, just months before the scheme is set to begin.

Farming unions have said they will continue to work constructively with ministers, but warned that ongoing engagement will be crucial as technical guidance and implementation plans are finalised.

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Farming

Soil Association responds to Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme announcement

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THE WELSH GOVERNMENT is set to unveil key details of its long-awaited Sustainable Farming Scheme, due to launch in 2026 with a transition period leading up to the withdrawal of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) by 2030. Following a period of extensive co-design through Ministerial Roundtables and Cabinet discussions, the Deputy First Minister will formally announce the scheme on Tuesday.

Responding to the development, Soil Association Head of Policy (Wales), Andrew Tuddenham, said: “After years of debate and design, the time for delay has passed. The environmental challenges and threats to food resilience we face are more urgent than ever, and pressures on public finances are intensifying.

“The Universal layer of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, based on a ‘whole farm’ approach to sustainable food production, is both ambitious and pioneering—not just for Wales, but for the UK as a whole. It is a promising foundation.

“To succeed, the scheme must sustain and strengthen nature-friendly farming in Wales. That means the Welsh Government must now commit to robust funding for the Optional and Collaborative layers and support farmers in accessing these opportunities.

“We welcome the inclusion of requirements to help farmers assess their carbon balance and protect soils from damage due to high-risk cropping and management. We’re also pleased that support for organic farmers will continue in 2026 through the Optional layer, alongside funding for organic conversion.

“However, there remains uncertainty. We await further details from the Welsh Government later this year on the budget and payment structure for Optional and Collaborative actions—an area of real concern for those who are ready to go further now.”

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‘Alarm bells’ over revamped farming scheme

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SENEDD Members criticised the lack of an economic impact assessment and long-term certainty after the Welsh Government unveiled revised financial support for farmers.

Samuel Kurtz, the Conservative shadow rural affairs secretary, warned of broken trust over the heavily criticised and protest-plagued sustainable farming scheme (SFS).

Ponting to a poll showing only 3% of farmers trust Labour Welsh ministers, he said the industry waited more than seven years for clarity on replacements for EU subsidies.

Mr Kurtz, who is from a farming family, criticised plans to cut the basic payment scheme (BPS) by 40% for those who choose not to sign up to the SFS.

He said: “This reflects what would have happened had the SFS launched in 2025 but it didn’t launch… so, now farmers are being punished for that failure.”

Warning of a cliff-edge overshadowing the scheme, Mr Kurtz expressed concerns about the total £340m budget which would be worth closer to £500m if it had increased with inflation.

He suggested the revised SFS prioritises tree planting over food security.

The Tory concluded: “You could promise the finest scheme in the world but if the economic impact assessment shows it leads to job losses, livestock cuts and falling incomes then farmers will rightly reject it as they did before.

“What’s deeply troubling is that no economic assessment has been published alongside this announcement today… without it, you’re asking farmers to take a blind leap of faith.”

Huw Irranca-Davies, Wales’ Deputy First Minister, replied: “We’ve analysed the potential impacts of the scheme and that has helped us make the decisions that we’ve come to.

Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and secretary for climate change and rural affairs
Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and secretary for climate change and rural affairs

“But just to be crystal clear: these are scenarios – not forecasts, not predictions – so we will keep the scheme under review as we gather further evidence.” He told the Senedd an impact assessment will be published in September.

Llŷr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s shadow rural affairs secretary, described the revamped scheme as an improvement but cautioned that fundamental questions remain unanswered.

He raised farmers’ calls for clarity to provide long-term certainty: “I haven’t seen that in sufficient measure… it’s disappointing we’ve only had a one-year funding commitment.”

Plaid Cymru MS Llyr Gruffydd
Plaid Cymru MS Llyr Gruffydd

Mr Gruffydd added: “You also say that shifting the balance of budgets from the universal action to optional and collaborative actions will happen. You don’t tell us when, you don’t tell us how much – and, again, that will ring alarm bells.”

The politician described condensing the transition from the BPS to SFS as the wrong approach, with a 40% drop in the first year “too significant”.

He warned of “big gaps” in the details. “It is an improvement but a lot of questions need answering,” he told the Senedd, with Mr Irranca-Davies replying: “I acknowledge that.”

Mr Irranca-Davies said the “landmark” revised scheme, which starts in January, represented a new agreement between farmers and the people of Wales.

In a statement on July 15, he told the Senedd the Welsh Government has changed its approach to tree planting, moving away from the proposed 10% tree cover on every farm.

Mr Irranca-Davies, who is responsible for rural affairs, explained farmers will be asked to plant 0.1 hectare by the end of 2028 or have plans in place by the end of March 2029.

He said: “We’re proposing enhanced payments for those planting in the first three years,” stressing farmers will not be expected to plant on their most productive land.

Mr Irranca-Davies told Senedd Members the aim is to plant at least 17,000 hectares by 2030, with an aspiration of 21,500 hectares, pledging to review progress.

“Change isn’t easy,” said the Labour MP-turned-Senedd Member. “This scheme is a big change but it’s a change we believe is good for farming, production and the environment.

“I believe and hope the majority of farmers join the scheme. The BPS is available for those outside the SFS, although reduced by 40% next year.”

Labour’s Lee Waters, a former minister, suggested the Welsh Government has lowered its immediate ambitions by abandoning a target of 43,000 hectares by 2030.

Mr Irranca-Davies said the 22,000 target was based on “practical and pragmatic” advice from the UK climate change committee rather than a “shoot-for-the-stars straight line”.

Labour MS Lee Waters
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