Llyr Gruffydd MS Member of the Senedd for North Wales

On Tuesday, May 14th in a statement from Huw Irranca Davies MS - the new Cabinet Secretary responsible for rural affairs - that the controversial Sustainable Farming Scheme will be pushed back a year.

Instead of starting in 2025, the scheme now will take effect in 2026 after constant pressure from Llyr Gruffydd and Plaid Cymru.

The Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) has attracted a lot of criticism from the farming industry since its announcement. The farming unions and wider agriculture community hve be vocal in expressing their concerns to the plans, with widespread concern with the plans to plant 10% of farmland with trees attracting criticism.

Responding to the news,  Llyr Gruffydd MS in his role as Plaid Cymru’s Rural Affairs spokesperson said: “I’m glad that through Plaid Cymru’s co-operation agreement with the Welsh Government we have secured more time to get the Sustainable Farming Scheme right.

“I’ve long argued that rushing headlong into a scheme that will impact generations of farming is both irresponsible and foolish. We now have an opportunity to take a step back and make the necessary changes that will ensure both buy-in from the industry and a more sustainable scheme for farming and for nature.

“I’ve been consistent from day one that achieving all the changes set out by the Government in the time scale provided was unrealistic, especially with the need to listen and respond to the concerns of farmers. The delay of a year is much needed and will be of relief to many.

“I’m pleased that today we’ve seen the Cabinet Secretary take a pragmatic and sensible approach to the Sustainable Farming Scheme, and that many of Plaid Cymru’s calls have not just been listened to but have been delivered.”