Farming

Welsh Conservatives launch consultation on farm subsidies at Royal Welsh Show

Published

6 months ago

July 22, 2024

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have announced a public consultation on their proposed Welsh Farming and Countryside Scheme (WFCS). This initiative, led by Shadow Rural Affairs Minister James Evans MS, is designed to be an alternative to the current Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). It promises to address the specific challenges faced by Welsh farmers and the environment.

James Evans MS emphasised the importance of the WFCS on the first day of the Royal Welsh Show in his home constituency on promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental protection across Wales. “The Welsh Farming and Countryside Scheme is designed to support our farmers while ensuring we look after our natural environment,” he explained. “We believe that working together, with input from those directly involved in the agricultural industry, is key to creating a more effective and practical scheme.”

The consultation aims to gather feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including active farmers, rural communities, conservation charities, and the public. The Welsh Conservatives hope to use this comprehensive feedback to refine and optimise the WFCS, ensuring it meets the needs of both the agricultural sector and environmental goals and it will be included in the Welsh Conservative Manifesto ahead of the Senedd Elections in 2026.

James Evans outlined several key areas the proposed scheme will focus on:

Supporting all farm sizes: The WFCS is designed to be flexible and fit the needs of all farms, regardless of size. The consultation will explore whether a minimum size requirement should be implemented to qualify for support, ensuring even the smallest farms can benefit.
Level of support: The consultation will gather views on the proposed baseline payment of 70% like the scheme designed in Scotland, exploring whether this level is sufficient to provide long-term security and viability for farms.
Helping young entrants: Soaring land prices and securing loans are major barriers for young people looking to enter Welsh agriculture. The consultation will explore ways to make it easier for the next generation to start farming.
Balancing access to land: There is concern about unrestricted public access to the countryside. The consultation will explore ways to improve access while ensuring safety and practicality, potentially focusing on improvements to existing paths and bridleways.
Targeting support: The consultation will define what constitutes an “active farmer” and who should qualify for government support, ensuring assistance goes to those genuinely involved in farming.
Priorities for support: The consultation will explore which areas of farming should be prioritised for support, ranging from tree planting and habitat creation to tackling climate change, animal welfare, and protecting Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
Optional actions: The consultation will explore whether farmers would be willing to “buy in” to additional actions required to achieve the government’s environmental goals.
Managing SSSIs and common land: The consultation will gather views on how best to manage and support SSSIs and common land, ensuring these vital areas are protected and used sustainably.

James Evans MS went on to say:

“We’re committed to working alongside the farming community to develop a practical and forward-thinking scheme,” Evans added. “The WFCS isn’t just about meeting environmental targets, it’s about securing the future of Welsh farming, protecting our rural heritage, and supporting our local economies. These proposals are not set in stone and following engagement from the industry we will make the necessary amendments as if the scheme does not work for our active farmers, it does not work for anyone”

Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the consultation and share their views on the proposed scheme. Details on how to contribute can be found here.

As the consultation progresses, the Welsh Conservatives will continue to engage with experts and community members to ensure the final version of the WFCS is robust and effective. The party remains committed to championing the interests of Welsh farmers across the country.

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

1 hour ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been found not guilty of breaching a restraining order after being accused of referencing a protected individual in a Facebook post.

Philip Stoddart, 58, of Monkhill Farm, St Ishmaels, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 20) to face the charge. The prosecution, led by Ann Griffiths on behalf of the crown, alleged that between December 4 and December 13, 2023, Stoddart made a Facebook post that, by inference, referred to a person he was prohibited from contacting under a restraining order imposed by Swansea Crown Court on April 16, 2021.

The restraining order, issued under Section 360 of the Sentencing Act 2020, barred Stoddart from making any form of contact with her.

Prosecutors argued that the Facebook post constituted a breach of the order, contrary to Section 363 of the same act.

Stoddart denied the allegations and entered a not guilty plea during a prior hearing on October 1, 2024.

Magistrates Professor N. Negus, Mr. J. Steadman, and Mrs. J. Morris presided over the trial, which concluded on Monday.

After reviewing the evidence, the bench found Stoddart not guilty, dismissing the case.

The dismissal brings to a close legal proceedings that had been ongoing for over a year.

Farming

Get up to £5,000 for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

5 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FARMERS in Wales are being called to apply for the next round of funding for on-farm trials.

The Farming Connect initiative, which has funded projects such as growing lucerne in Brecon, is inviting applications for the Try Out Fund.

The new application window opens on January 27, 2025, and will run until February 17.

Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund trials that experiment with new ideas on their farms.

The last round of funding supported several projects, including integrated pest management at a pick-your-own strawberry enterprise.

Menna Williams, the Farming Connect project lead, said: “Farming Connect has developed the Try Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment.”

She added: “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.”

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

Ms Williams said: “Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100 per cent effort right from the start.”

Projects should focus on enhancing production efficiencies and profitability while ensuring environmental protection through adherence to sustainable land management principles.

A guidance handbook is accessible on the Farming Connect website, providing support for farmers in outlining their projects and completing the application process.

To apply, individuals must be registered with Farming Connect and capable of finishing their projects by January 2026.

Ms Williams explained: “Funding can be used for technical assistance, sampling, testing and other reasonable expenses such as those relating to short-term hire of specialist equipment or facilities directly relating to the project.”

The findings will be shared with other producers in Wales by collaborating with a Farming Connect team member.

Interested parties can apply on the Farming Connect website.

To receive the link or get further information, contact [email protected].

Farming

Funding window to re-open for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

5 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

WITH Farming Connect-funded trials ranging from growing lucerne in Brecon to establishing sunflowers as a companion crop with maize, farmers are being invited to apply for the next round of funding from the initiative that brought these projects to life.

The new application window for the Try Out Fund opens on 27January2025 and will run until 17 February. Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund on-farm trials that experiment with new ideas. The last round of funding saw farmers supported for several projects including integrated pest management at pick your own strawberry enterprise.

Project lead Menna Williams of Farming Connect said the aim is for farmers to compare different treatments or management systems – the project is not intended to fund new equipment she stressed.

“Farming Connect has developed the Try-Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment,’’ she said. “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.’’

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

“Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100% effort right from the start,’’ said Ms Williams.

Suitable projects must aim to improve production efficiencies and profitability whilst protecting the environment by aligning with sustainable land management outcomes. A guidance handbook is available on the Farming Connect website to help farmers scope their project and complete the application form.

Applicants must be registered with Farming Connect and be able to complete their projects by January 2026.