MS, Deputy First Minister & Cabinet
Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Supporting the
future of our agricultural sector in Wales is paramount to the
sustainable production of food, tackling the climate emergency
and reversing nature loss.
We have today published our first ever Multi-Annual Support
Plan (“MASP”) as required pursuant to section 11 of
the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023
(the “Act”).
This marks an important milestone since the passing of the
Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023 and is the first of many reporting
requirements we will be publishing under the Act.
I believe the support that we as a government provide, should
reflect this important change in context and reward our farmers
who take action to meet these challenges across Wales.
The MASP sets out the Welsh Government's plan and suite of
activity for future support, providing the agricultural sector
with assurance and transparency, and enabling the sector and its
businesses to plan in five yearly cycles. The first MASP
published today will cover the period between
1stJanuary 2025 and 31st December
2029.
The MASP describes each scheme that is intended to be in
operation or expected to become operational during this period
and provides a description of the support each scheme will
provide.
In addition, the MASP further provides a visual overview of the
support expected during the plan period, including details on
current Direct Payments to Farmers such as Basic Payment Scheme;
Rural Investment Schemes support; the Sustainable Farming Scheme
(“SFS”) Preparatory Phase, as well as the recently published
proposals for SFS.
The announcement today demonstrates the steps we will take to
support our agricultural sector over the next five years in
delivering actions which contribute towards the Sustainable Land
Management objectives.
