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Taking land out of production for tree cover and habit renewal could leave many farmers ‘on the brink' under proposals in the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

Alexandra Higgs, a farmer from Montgomeryshire, created a petition which has placed pressure on the Welsh Government to remove or lower the requirement for farmers to have at least 10 per cent tree cover and 10 per cent habit to access SFS - excluding hedgerows.

The Welsh Government published its first draft of SFS in July 2022 which set out an 'ambitious and new approach' form of agricultural support to reward farmers for actions in addressing the nature and climate emergency.

However, Ms Higgs said the tree cover and habitat requirement would have an adverse impact on farming businesses in their ability to produce food. 

See also: Tree planting not the only way to reduce emissions in Wales, says union

"Reducing the area of productive farming land will decrease food production," she added.

"This will affect all industries which serve the agricultural sector.

 "A low level of uptake of the scheme will be economically detrimental to the rural economy of Wales.

See also: Welsh farmers uncertain about Habitat Wales Scheme

"Many farmers who presently receive BPS and cannot receive SFS will struggle to survive.

 "The increased levels of tree cover could be included in the Optional Actions (OAs) instead." 

NFU Cymru deputy president Abi Reader said she welcomed the Welsh Government's engagement on an issue which could have a ‘huge impact' on farmers.

See also: Wales' future farming schemes must consider common land

"Some farmers are going to sail through (SFS) but for many, it will have a huge impact taking as much as 20 per cent of their land out of production," she added

"As you can imagine, the impact on tenants could be huge.

"However, we have a commitment from the Welsh Government regarding the issue of 10 per cent which will once again be raised so our members can respond.

See also: In Your Field: Dan Jones - 'We have an opportunity to be a part of the climate crisis solution'

"It is a tribute to the collective effort everyone is making."

The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) said there are many other ways to achieve equivalent reductions in emissions other than tree planting and said the final consultation phase of SFS should see a scheme where farming and climate change can be viewed collectively rather than in isolation.

An FUW spokesperson said: "For large numbers of farms, meeting the 10 per cent tree cover requirement would severely impact on their viability and capacity to produce food.

"However, for other farms, meeting such a requirement would be impossible.

See also: Welsh Government's 10% tree target could drive farmers out of business, says NFU Cymru

"Under current proposals, this would prevent them from being able to access any form of support through the SFS.

"We know the Welsh Government recognised a number of farm types and land categories where meeting this threshold would not be possible - but far more concessions are needed if large numbers of farm businesses are to avoid severe impacts.

"We want to see an SFS which has flexibility so farmers can engage with a scheme that works for their businesses and achieves the Welsh Government's outcomes."

See also: 'Reality check' needed on future funding for Welsh farming, says Minister

Climate Change Minister Julie James has said planting trees could be a 'lifeline' in a climate emergency by removing greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere through carbon storage.

Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths said the Government would work with farmers on the principle of 'the right tree in the right place' which could become an 'asset' over time in tackling the nature and climate emergencies.

You can view Ms Higg's petition .