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.

Charity urges shoppers to support Welsh farmers this St David’s Day

MORE than 2.6 million farmed animals in Wales benefited from higher welfare standards last year, thanks to the work of farmers signed up to the RSPCA Assured scheme, the charity has said.

The organisation is now encouraging shoppers to mark St David’s Day by supporting Welsh producers committed to improved animal welfare by choosing products carrying the RSPCA Assured label.

RSPCA Assured — which describes itself as the only UK food assurance scheme dedicated solely to farmed animal welfare — has nearly 280 members in Wales. All are required to follow strict welfare standards covering housing, diet, health and day-to-day care.

Charlotte Thomas, RSPCA Assured assessment manager for Wales, said: “St David’s Day is a chance for us to take pride in the dedication of RSPCA Assured members who are committed to giving farmed animals a better life.

“To become an RSPCA Assured member, farms must follow hundreds of higher welfare standards every single day. These ensure animals are cared for properly throughout their lives — we don’t allow cages or crates, and animals must have plenty of room to move, perform normal behaviours and enjoy a healthy diet.

“Members are assessed every year to make sure these higher standards are met, and we carry out a check on a farm in Wales nearly every working day of the year.

“We hope this St David’s Day will inspire more people to support higher welfare farming in Wales by looking for the RSPCA Assured label if they choose to buy meat, fish, eggs or dairy products.”

The charity said its standards cover more than 64 million animals across the UK, with independent assessments carried out at over 4,000 farms and businesses. Both indoor and outdoor systems — including free-range and organic — can qualify, provided the welfare requirements are met. The scheme does not permit the use of cages.

RSPCA Assured operates as a not-for-profit organisation and receives no government funding. Member farms and businesses pay fees which cover the cost of inspections and licensing the label, with income reinvested into improving farm animal welfare.

Consumers who wish to support higher welfare farming are being encouraged to look for the RSPCA Assured logo when buying meat, fish, eggs and dairy products.

More information is available at the RSPCA Assured website.

Major supplier says confidence lower despite signs of stability returning

FARMERS across Wales are facing another difficult year as input costs remain significantly higher than before the pandemic, according to new industry insight from agricultural supplier Wynnstay Group.

The company, which has deep roots in rural Wales and generates around sixty per cent of its retail revenue in the country, says confidence among farmers is lower than this time last year, with rising costs, policy uncertainty and tightening margins influencing spending decisions.

However, there are also signs of resilience, with many producers focusing on efficiency and forward planning to cope with ongoing pressures.

Wales at heart of business

Wynnstay, originally founded by tenant farmers in Mid Wales in 1918, has grown into a major UK agricultural supplier serving more than 20,000 farming customers through manufacturing sites, stores and on-farm services. The group employs hundreds of staff across the UK and operates a nationwide distribution network supporting livestock and arable producers.

The company says Welsh farming businesses continue to play a central role in its commercial performance and long-term growth strategy.

Cautious investment decisions

According to Wynnstay, farmers are delaying some investment decisions but are increasingly seeking value-driven solutions that improve productivity.

Feed volumes have increased across the company’s Welsh store network over the past year, reflecting demand for blended feeds that offer greater flexibility and cost control. Rather than reducing purchases outright, many farmers are matching spending more closely to performance and output.

Fertiliser demand has also been strong, with sales ahead of last year, although some farmers have delayed buying in the hope prices may fall. Global supply pressures and rising gas costs mean prices are expected to remain firm into the busy spring season.

Costs still far above pre-Covid levels

Industry data shows overall farm input costs remain significantly higher than before 2020, with feed, fertiliser, fuel, electricity and machinery all continuing to put pressure on farm margins.

While some costs have eased from their peaks, they have not returned to previous levels, influencing buying behaviour across the sector.

Margins for livestock and dairy farms were strong last year, but Wynnstay says they are now tightening, particularly in the dairy sector where milk prices have fallen and volatility remains high.

Pressure on family farms

Smaller family-run farms are under greater strain than larger commercial operations, with less financial resilience to absorb rapid market changes. Reports of rising closures among family farms, particularly in dairy, reinforce concerns about the sector’s long-term sustainability.

Government policy changes are also contributing to uncertainty. The transition away from the Basic Payment Scheme and wider tax reforms have led many farmers to postpone larger investments until there is clearer long-term stability.

Local reaction

Pembrokeshire farmer Chris James said the situation reflected what many farmers were experiencing locally.

“We’ve definitely noticed the squeeze over the past year or two,” he said. “Costs for feed, fertiliser and fuel are still much higher than they used to be, and that makes you think twice about every decision. Most farmers I know aren’t cutting back on production — they’re just trying to be more efficient and careful with spending.”

He added: “People want to invest and move forward, but it’s hard when you don’t know exactly what the long-term policy picture will look like.”

NFU Cymru has also warned that rising costs and policy uncertainty continue to weigh heavily on farm businesses across Wales, with confidence affected by concerns over future support schemes and wider economic challenges. The union has called for greater long-term certainty to allow farmers to invest with confidence and maintain domestic food production.

Weather shocks impact behaviour

Extreme weather during 2025 — including a very dry spring followed by periods of intense heat and a challenging wet autumn — also affected purchasing patterns, with farmers spacing orders and prioritising essential inputs as conditions changed.

Ordering behaviour is now returning to more normal patterns as conditions stabilise.

Outlook for 2026

Despite ongoing pressures, Wynnstay says it is cautiously optimistic about the year ahead.

Many farmers are making careful decisions around efficiency, nutrition and planning, and the company believes there are opportunities for businesses to strengthen their position through 2026 with good cost control and smart investment.

Summing up the sector, the company said Welsh agriculture remains resilient, with farmers showing determination and adaptability despite continuing challenges.