The NFU Cymru's Sustainable Farming Scheme consultation roadshow hit Brecon this week, with a focus on the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme consultation.

Taking place at place at the Brecon Livestock Market, the roadshow event saw members of the NFU Cymru Policy team, along with the union’s elected officeholders, give those in attendance a detailed overview of the consultation and what it means for Welsh farming businesses.

The events aim to ensure farmers can respond effectively to the proposals put forward by Welsh Government. The areas being discussed will include the Sustainable Farming Scheme framework, scheme eligibility, scheme rules, payment methodology and how Welsh Government proposes to manage the transition from the Basic Payment Scheme to the Sustainable Farming Scheme from 2025.

The meetings will also consider the union’s concerns over a number of aspects of the proposals, including the 10 per cent tree planting and 10 per cent habitat requirements.

James Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire attended. He said: “It was great to see such an amazing turnout of local farmers to the Brecon livestock market. The unprecedented numbers attending the NFU meeting show the depth of feeling on this and the concerns that farmers have over their future. I had the opportunity to speak to many of them and the message is clear – The Welsh Government need to change direction and listen to their concerns, or many farm businesses will be lost.

“This is the final consultation of the Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals and I urge all farmers, everyone in businesses/trades that support the agricultural sector and even consumers that drink milk produced here in Wales, or eat meat reared on our hills, to all have your say in this consultation.

“I fear that if these proposals go ahead, many farms will no longer be able to continue, and this will impact us all. For every £1 spent in agriculture, it generates a further £9 in economic benefits in the community.”