Powys Council will this week be asked to call on the Welsh Government "reconsider" a controversial subsidy scheme that has led to protests among farmers.
At a Powys County Council meeting on Thursday, March 7 councillors will debate asking the Welsh Government to “pause and reconsider” the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
Last week, farmers from across Wales gathered in Cardiff to demand the scheme – which would see farmers become eligible for subsidies on the basis that they use a proportion of their land for rewilding and forestry – be scrapped.
The motion will be put forward by Conservative Cllr Lucy Roberts, who : “Given the importance of the farming sector to Powys’ economy it is important of get the future support scheme right, continuing with the current consultation of a flawed scheme is a mistake and will lead to serious frustration and resentment from farmers across Wales.”
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Cllr Roberts believes that the “cumulative effect” of changes to agricultural policy in Wales is putting the sector under “increasing pressure.”
Cllr Roberts asks that the council “believe it to be prudent to pause the consultation, renew engagement with the farming unions before approaching the agricultural sector once serious amendments are made to the Sustainable Farming Scheme proposal.”
Her motion is set to be seconded by non-affiliated member, Cllr Geoff Morgan.
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The Sustainable Farming Scheme is the Welsh Government’s post-Brexit agriculture policy and the consultation ends on March 7.
It sets out how farmers will receive subsidies for responding to the climate and nature emergencies, as well as producing food in a sustainable way.
Protesters are unhappy with proposed changes, which require 10 per cent of agricultural land to be used for trees.
To take part in the Sustainable Farming Scheme consultation visit https://www.gov.wales/sustainable-farming-scheme-consultation and respond online or email SustainableFarmingScheme@gov.wales
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