SCHEME DETAILS MISSING, SAYS PEMBROKESHIRE MS

FARMERS across Wales are facing continued uncertainty after the Welsh Government confirmed that full details of two key elements of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) will not be available when the application window opens on Monday (Mar 2).

Officials have acknowledged that further information on the Optional and Collaborative actions — two of the scheme’s core layers — will be published “in due course”, with applications for many of these measures not expected to open until later this year.

While some actions, including organic maintenance and woodland creation, will proceed independently of SFS participation, significant parts of the scheme remain incomplete as farmers are being asked to begin the application process.

The situation has prompted concern within the sector, with farm businesses warning that uncertainty over the scheme’s full scope makes forward planning difficult at a time when margins are already under pressure.

Commenting on the launch, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Samuel Kurtz MS said: “It is unacceptable that, as the Sustainable Farming Scheme application window opens, two of its core components — Optional and Collaborative — are still not fully designed. After years of consultation, farmers are being asked to commit to a scheme where significant elements remain undefined or delayed until later in the year.

“Farm businesses cannot plan on the basis of ‘further detail in due course’. Decisions about land use, investment and cashflow require clarity from day one. This last-minute uncertainty reflects a clear lack of foresight from the Welsh Labour Government.

“Farmers were promised stability and certainty. Instead, they are being given ambiguity and a rolling timetable. That is not good enough for an industry that needs confidence, not confusion.”

The Sustainable Farming Scheme is intended to replace the EU-era Basic Payment Scheme and form the backbone of agricultural support in Wales, linking public funding to environmental and land management outcomes.

The Welsh Government has been approached for comment.

THE NUMBER of LGBTQ+ households fostering children in Wales has risen significantly, according to new figures released this week.

There are currently 56 LGBTQ+ fostering households across Wales, representing an increase of around 30 per cent compared with 2024.

To mark LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week, which begins on Monday (Mar 2), Foster Wales Pembrokeshire is encouraging LGBTQ+ people to consider fostering and making enquiries about how they could help change children’s lives in 2026.

Fostering is open to both couples and single people, and organisations say LGBTQ+ carers often bring valuable personal life experience to supporting children and young people in care.

Pembrokeshire Fostering Team Manager Oliver Mathias said: “We know that children and young people thrive when they are cared for by adults who are open-minded, compassionate, and able to value who they are. At Foster Wales, we are proud to welcome carers from the LGBTQ+ community and from all cultures, faiths, family structures, and walks of life.

“We are committed to respecting and celebrating diversity, and to ensuring that everyone who comes forward to foster is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. What matters most to us is not who you are or who you love, but your ability to provide a safe, nurturing, and accepting home where children can feel valued and belong.”

Suzanne Griffiths, Director of the National Adoption Service for Wales and Foster Wales, said foster carers play a vital role in providing stability and security for vulnerable children.

“Foster carers make an extraordinary difference to children and young people every day by offering stability, understanding and a safe place to thrive,” she said.

“With so many children currently in need of loving homes, we would strongly encourage anyone considering fostering or adoption to come forward and start a conversation with their local team today.”

More information about fostering is available at fosterwales.gov.wales, while adoption information can be found at adoptcymru.com.

HAVERFORDWEST town centre was a hive of activity today (Friday, Feb 27) as hundreds of children from schools across Pembrokeshire took part in a special St David’s Day celebration.

The popular parade, organised by the Pembrokeshire Language Forum, returned to the county town once again, with smiles all round from participants and spectators who lined the streets to watch.

Children paraded down High Street, through Bridge Street and along Quay Street, led by Samba Doc, before gathering at Picton Playing Fields for songs and dancing during an open-air jamboree with entertainer Tomos Tanllyd.

Pembrokeshire County Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said: “St David’s Day is always a special occasion in Pembrokeshire, and it was wonderful to see so many young people coming together to celebrate our language, culture and national identity.”

Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham added: “The annual St David’s Day parade is a shining example of what schools in Pembrokeshire do to celebrate the Welsh language and culture, and they are certainly enthusiastic about it.”

Council Vice Chairman and Champion for the Welsh Language and Children and Young People, Cllr Delme Harries said: “It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm from pupils across the county, proudly celebrating St David’s Day.”

Local member Cllr Tom Tudor also praised the event, adding: “It really was a great celebration of St David’s Day and a highlight for Haverfordwest.”

Welsh Language Development Officer Catrin Phillips said the event continues to grow each year.

She said: “The St David’s Day parade, organised by the Pembrokeshire Language Forum, is always a highlight of the year and it’s wonderful to bring schools together to celebrate Welsh language and culture in such a joyful way.

“It has been especially encouraging to see new schools joining us this year, helping the event continue to grow.”