NFU Cymru urges SFS changes after low Anglesey uptake

Just one in three Anglesey farmers who applied for either BPS or the Sustainable Farming Scheme’s Universal layer have entered the SFS, prompting NFU Cymru to demand changes before 2027.

Welsh Government figures cited by the union show 264 of 808 farmers on the island — around 33% — joined the scheme.

NFU Cymru argues the low uptake reflects difficulties some businesses face in meeting the SFS’s current requirements.

The union says one of the main problems is meeting habitat requirements, particularly where farms do not already have 10% permanent habitat and must rely on temporary options.

NFU Cymru deputy president Paul Williams said farmers supported delivering environmental benefits alongside food production but wanted the scheme to work across different sectors and farm types.

“Our members fully understand the importance of delivering environmental outcomes alongside food production and they want the Sustainable Farming Scheme to work for all sectors, farm types and areas of Wales,” he said.

“However, what we’re hearing from farmers across Anglesey is that the scheme doesn’t necessarily reflect the realities of farming on the island.”

The figures do not show why individual businesses chose not to enter the SFS, although NFU Cymru says feedback from members points to habitat and management requirements as significant barriers.

The union said farmers who do not already have 10% permanent habitat can face limited choices when trying to meet the requirement through temporary habitat options.

Among the changes being sought is the addition of red clover as a temporary habitat option from 2027.

Williams said red clover could provide environmental benefits while remaining compatible with productive farming systems.

“Red Clover has many benefits, as a nitrogen fixing plant with deep roots it builds soil fertility and improves soil structure with flowers rich in nectar making it an ideal plant for attracting pollinators like bees,” he said.

“It seems the ideal fit as a temporary habitat option under the SFS, we ask that the Welsh Government introduce this as an additional option for 2027.”

NFU Cymru is also calling for changes to hedgerow requirements under Universal Action 8.

It argues that exposed conditions on parts of Anglesey, including strong winds and salt burn, can restrict hedge growth and make it harder to establish trees within hedgerows.

The union also wants the habitat maintenance requirements under Universal Action 5 simplified.

It said the first year of the scheme had highlighted the difficulty of applying the same requirements across areas with different climates, land types and growing seasons.

Williams said greater flexibility was needed to make the scheme practical across the whole of Wales.

The union has acknowledged that Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability Llyr Gruffydd has indicated he is prepared to continue adapting the SFS.

It also welcomed an agreement to simplify the approach to the Animal Health Improvement Cycle.

Williams said: “The Cabinet Minister, Llyr Gruffydd has been clear that he is prepared to work with the industry on an evolution of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, and we are heartened that already he has agreed to a simplification of the approach for the Animal Health Improvement Cycle (AHIC).”

NFU Cymru said it would use discussions with Gruffydd at the Anglesey Show to press for further changes ahead of the 2027 scheme year.

“When we meet with the Cabinet Minister at the show today we will discuss the areas where we believe that changes need to be introduced ahead of the 2027 scheme year,” Williams said.

The union wants broader temporary habitat options, more practical hedgerow rules and simpler scheme requirements as it seeks to improve participation among Anglesey farmers.