Wildlife Trusts Wales has welcomed today’s publication of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) Business Case, while warning that the scheme will only succeed if Ministers properly fund its higher levels and ensure quality farm advice is available. 

Rachel Sharp, Director of Wildlife Trusts Wales says:

We are concerned that the Business Case published today could be taken out of context. The headline figure suggesting a 5% reduction in livestock numbers simply doesn’t hold true in reality. The modelling uses five-year-old data and assumes land set aside for habitat creation automatically comes out of production. In practice, much of this land can still be grazed, new trees can be planted along hedgerows and field corners, and farms can remain productive while also supporting wildlife.” 

Wildlife Trusts Wales stressed that the Business Case highlights real risks: 

“As it stands, the Universal layer offers no real benefit for nature, Welsh citizens or taxpayers. The Optional and Collaborative layers deliver far greater returns on investment – but only if Government commits the necessary budget and support.”

The organisation also raised concerns that the economic impact assessment paints only part of the picture: 

It overlooks productivity gains that take time to emerge, such as improvements in soil health. 

It fails to consider the higher-level scheme options that best support resilient, nature-friendly farming. 

It relies on outdated 2019 livestock baseline figures, which no longer reflect current herd sizes. 

For example, in 2023 the average Welsh dairy farm had 101 cows and the average beef farm 23. A modelled 5% reduction would equate to 5 dairy cows or 1 beef cow – numbers that would likely be absorbed on-farm without reducing overall production. This means the predicted greenhouse gas reductions may never materialise, resulting in neither climate benefit nor nature gain. 

Rachel Sharp concluded: 

“The focus now must be on making the Optional and Collaborative layers work – for farmers, for nature, and for taxpayers. Wales needs a farming scheme that genuinely delivers for both people and planet.”