Deputy First Minister tells conference he will 'always stand
up for a fair and sustainable future for farmers'
Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference 2025, the Deputy First
Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural
Affairs, outlines how we must act today to prepare and
help ensure the future of the industry is robust and secure.
The focus of OFC25 is on “Facing Change, Finding Opportunity”,
highlighting how today's challenges in agriculture can spark
groundbreaking solutions. Speaking from OFC25, the Deputy First
Minister, said:
“There are a range of challenges facing the industry, from energy
prices to animal diseases and more. And it's no coincidence that
my portfolio includes both Rural Affairs, and Climate Change. The
changing climate and extreme weather already affect Welsh farms,
and their soils, waterways and livestock.
“These changes will intensify and in ten, twenty, let alone fifty
years, the farmers of the future will face even more challenging
conditions. We must act today to prepare for these impacts and
help ensure the future of the industry is robust and secure.
“The transition to a decarbonised economy will be a challenge
across all of society – and that includes farming. But it also
brings opportunities. The Welsh Government is committed to
working side by side with farmers to reap those benefits.
“And for me, that commitment is personal – it's part of how I see
the world. As a young lad growing up in South West Wales, I would
look out from our house and see the steelworks and farmland
beyond as part of the same landscape and the same community of
people who lived and worked together. Farming is part of the
fabric of Wales, our jobs and our way of life. I have always
strived to be on the side of working people, and that includes
people who work hard day in, day out, looking after land and
livestock and producing the food we eat. That's why I'll always
stand up for a fair and sustainable future for farmers.”
The Welsh Government announced updated outline plans for the
Sustainable Farming Scheme in November.
The changes address the needs of Welsh farmers, while supporting
the ongoing sustainable production of food, as well as climate
change and nature commitments.
Partnership has been key to developing proposals so the scheme is
accessible and achievable and the Deputy First Minister thanked
farming stakeholders for their significant contribution so far.
The final Scheme decision will be made later this year, based on
further discussions at the Ministerial Roundtable and evidence
including the economic analysis and impact assessment.
The Deputy First Minister, continued: “Sustainable production
food has always been at the heart of SFS proposals, and it
remains so. And we must make meaningful progress on adapting and
mitigating the climate and nature emergency. We are determined to
design a scheme that does both; we have to take steps now to
protect our future food producing capacity in light of climate
impacts.
“Our plan is for the SFS to be introduced in 2026, and there is
so much for Welsh farming to gain, we can shape a flourishing
sector where jobs and businesses are resilient and secure, which
helps to protect and restore the environment, and continues to
put food on the tables of households across the country.
“We will continue to collaborate with the sector and I remain
committed to listening to and working with our stakeholders. By
working together we can ensure a prosperous and sustainable
farming industry now and for future generations of Welsh
farmers.”
