Welsh Government Revises Farming Subsidy Scheme After Protests

The Sustainable Farming Scheme will no longer mandate 10% tree cover, with new flexibility for farmers and a focus on habitat management.

The Welsh government has removed the requirement for 10% tree cover on farms to qualify for subsidies under the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).
Farmers will now have the option to add trees or hedges to their land, supported by funding through an optional layer of the scheme.
The revised scheme maintains the requirement for farmers to manage 10% of their land as natural habitat, with temporary habitat options under consideration.
The changes follow widespread protests earlier this year, with farmers expressing concerns about economic impacts and job losses.
Further details, including payment rates and the final scheme design, are expected to be announced by summer 2025.