Written Statement by MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary
for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
On the 16 February the Welsh Government introduced legislation to
formally end several long-standing EU agricultural support
schemes in Wales, following the coming into force of The Closure
of European Union Legacy Agriculture Schemes (Wales) Regulations
2026.
The Regulations will close the Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme,
Public Intervention Scheme, and Private Storage Aid Scheme,
marking a significant milestone in Wales' transition away from
schemes designed for a different era and towards a
Welsh-designed, Welsh focused long-term approach to supporting
the sector.
These EU legacy schemes were originally created under a very
different agricultural policy landscape. For over two decades,
these schemes have had little or no practical application in
Wales and no longer provide any meaningful benefit to Welsh
farmers or growers. Closing them ensures that agricultural
support reflects the realities of modern Welsh farming and
contributes to a system that is responsive, targeted, and fit for
purpose.
As Wales continues to develop a uniquely Welsh approach to
agricultural support, it is vital to assess the effectiveness and
relevance of historic EU-derived mechanisms. Their closure allows
the Welsh Government to focus on tools and interventions better
suited to today's challenges.
The Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023 provides Welsh Ministers with
flexible, modern powers to intervene in agricultural markets when
required, while recent Welsh Government capital grants have
provided more tailored support to the emerging Welsh horticulture
sector.
This step supports a wider commitment to ensuring Wales takes
full ownership of the way it supports food production, stewards
the land and builds a resilient agriculture sector for
generations to come. I want to thank the industry for its
engagement throughout this process, and I look forward to
continuing to work closely with farmers and stakeholders as we
move forward.
