Welsh SFS ‘Co-design’

[neilo]

Interested to hear if any of our brethren farming in Wales are part of this.

I had a Teams meeting this afternoon, as part of above. They’ve apparently had a dozen or so groups, each of 10-12 participants, to discuss (for 90 minutes) various aspects of the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme.
The group I was in was to discuss eligibility requirements, the ability to meet all of the ‘universal actions’ (like 10% trees ffs), the sustainability and habitat assessments.

I was shocked that, in our group, there were only four that I would describe as ‘farmers’. All of the others were smallholders, several retired, and a couple more that had ‘professional’ careers to support their hobbies.

The four farmers all came across as healthily suspicious of RPW’s requirements and motives, with all suggesting that RPW may struggle to get most of the land area to participate in their scheme.

One of the smallholders (retired FWAG) even went so far as to suggest that ‘less than 5%’ of farmers would be able to assess what habitat they had, or what potential it had. I may have expressed displeasure at that comment.

What was most scary to me, was that if only one third of our panel were proper farmers, earning their livings from the job, and the same is presumably the case across the other panels, then RPW are getting some very skewed opinions on their scheme.

 

[neilo]

There is a consultation survey on SFS out at the moment, which closes next week (on Nov 21st), allowing everyone to have their say.

Having seen the voices that have been so far having an input today, I implore all farmers in Wales to look at this and reply before the deadline. It really is important, if you don’t want future support shaped by good lifers and retirees.

Linky here: https://gov.wales/sustainable-farming-scheme-guide

 

[davidroberts30]

There is a consultation survey on SFS out at the moment, which closes next week (on Nov 21st), allowing everyone to have their say.

Having seen the voices that have been so far having an input today, I implore all farmers in Wales to look at this and reply before the deadline. It really is important, if you don’t want future support shaped by good lifers and retirees.

Linky here: https://gov.wales/sustainable-farming-scheme-guide

I've replied to that survey a couple of times saying how shyte their ideas are

 

[neilo]

I've replied to that survey a couple of times saying how shyte their ideas are

The general view from the farmers on our panel, was that the payment rates (as yet unknown) would have to be damned good to get many farmers (or ‘Land managers’) to consider doing just the universal actions.

 

[Still Farming]

The crackpots at the Senedd do what they want, what ever you do or say, historically!

 

[neilo]

The crackpots at the Senedd do what they want, what ever you do or say, historically!

Probably right, but you surely can’t complain if you haven’t at least taken the opportunity to advise them of their error?

 

[Still Farming]

Probably right, but you surely can’t complain if you haven’t at least taken the opportunity to advise them of their error?

Earlier in the year there was an opportunity also what happened to those Results

 

[ford4000]

I've replied to that survey a couple of times saying how shyte their ideas are

Me too

 

[ford4000]

Interested to hear if any of our brethren farming in Wales are part of this.

I had a Teams meeting this afternoon, as part of above. They’ve apparently had a dozen or so groups, each of 10-12 participants, to discuss (for 90 minutes) various aspects of the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme.
The group I was in was to discuss eligibility requirements, the ability to meet all of the ‘universal actions’ (like 10% trees ffs), the sustainability and habitat assessments.

I was shocked that, in our group, there were only four that I would describe as ‘farmers’. All of the others were smallholders, several retired, and a couple more that had ‘professional’ careers to support their hobbies.

The four farmers all came across as healthily suspicious of RPW’s requirements and motives, with all suggesting that RPW may struggle to get most of the land area to participate in their scheme.

One of the smallholders (retired FWAG) even went so far as to suggest that ‘less than 5%’ of farmers would be able to assess what habitat they had, or what potential it had. I may have expressed displeasure at that comment.

What was most scary to me, was that if only one third of our panel were proper farmers, earning their livings from the job, and the same is presumably the case across the other panels, then RPW are getting some very skewed opinions on their scheme.

Having read what the proposed requirements are to participate in this scheme I'm 90% sure I'll be farming without support in the near future anyway, unless the payment rates are very good.... And most of the money won't be going to consultants...

 

[Still Farming]

Why won't the Welsh Assembly implement the farming exit Scheme also, like applicable in England ,to give youngster a chance too possibly?

 

[neilo]

Earlier in the year there was an opportunity also what happened to those Results

Supposedly those comments were taken into account before the latest proposals came out (in July). Tbf, the current suggestions are a bit of an improvement on the original ones.

This consultation is on those latest proposals, with a final consultation next Spring iirc.
If we don’t all tell them the issues then WAG will push them through based only on what the good-lifers have told them.

 

[Bwcho]

Done

I don't claim any farmers dole and after completing that survey I don't envisage that will change any time soon either.

I do have a professional career outside of farming and could well be described as a part-time farmer but I'd like to think that I share in common more opinions and fears as a 'proper farmer' as opposed to a goodlifer.

Some initial thoughts on the survery are that I would actively discourage and pay THEM not to have any members of the community come on the farm. My gripe with this sustainable farming scheme is that a lot of emphasis is put on carbon capture, which is a reactive measure. I felt this survey could focus somewhat more on reducing CO2 emissions in the first place. No interest in creating a pond and I wish I could afford to use fertiliser.

Though I was pleased to learn that the headline '10% tree rule' included hedges and more importantly existing ones would be taken into consideration. 6 day quarantine of animals, a nod to reducing anthelmintic use, soil testing/structure and use of different crops were some of the things I thought was not too unreasonable.

Interesting times ahead....

 

[Yale]

Done

I don't claim any farmers dole and after completing that survey I don't envisage that will change any time soon either.

I do have a professional career outside of farming and could well be described as a part-time farmer but I'd like to think that I share in common more opinions and fears as a 'proper farmer' as opposed to a goodlifer.

Some initial thoughts on the survery are that I would actively discourage and pay THEM not to have any members of the community come on the farm. My gripe with this sustainable farming scheme is that a lot of emphasis is put on carbon capture, which is a reactive measure. I felt this survey could focus somewhat more on reducing CO2 emissions in the first place. No interest in creating a pond and I wish I could afford to use fertiliser.

Though I was pleased to learn that the headline '10% tree rule' included hedges and more importantly existing ones would be taken into consideration. 6 day quarantine of animals, a nod to reducing anthelmintic use, soil testing/structure and use of different crops were some of the things I thought was not too unreasonable.

Interesting times ahead....

I was at an NFU meeting this week and it was stated that 10% tree proposal still stood as trees. Something to do with Drakeford being obsessed with Wales becoming a forest.

 

[neilo]

Done

I don't claim any farmers dole and after completing that survey I don't envisage that will change any time soon either.

I do have a professional career outside of farming and could well be described as a part-time farmer but I'd like to think that I share in common more opinions and fears as a 'proper farmer' as opposed to a goodlifer.

Some initial thoughts on the survery are that I would actively discourage and pay THEM not to have any members of the community come on the farm. My gripe with this sustainable farming scheme is that a lot of emphasis is put on carbon capture, which is a reactive measure. I felt this survey could focus somewhat more on reducing CO2 emissions in the first place. No interest in creating a pond and I wish I could afford to use fertiliser.

Though I was pleased to learn that the headline '10% tree rule' included hedges and more importantly existing ones would be taken into consideration. 6 day quarantine of animals, a nod to reducing anthelmintic use, soil testing/structure and use of different crops were some of the things I thought was not too unreasonable.

Interesting times ahead....

Unless it’s changed recently, hedges don’t count (ridiculously), but hedgerow trees do.

Existing trees have always counted towards the 10% requirement.

 

[neilo]

I was at an NFU meeting this week and it was stated that 10% tree proposal still stood as trees. Something to do with Drakeford being obsessed with Wales becoming a forest.

Yes, and dear Leslie is adamant that the 10% trees is not up for negotiation.

 

[vantage]

Yes, and dear Leslie is adamant that the 10% trees is not up for negotiation.

Stupid bint.

 

[Bald Rick]

Interested to hear if any of our brethren farming in Wales are part of this.

I had a Teams meeting this afternoon, as part of above. They’ve apparently had a dozen or so groups, each of 10-12 participants, to discuss (for 90 minutes) various aspects of the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme.
The group I was in was to discuss eligibility requirements, the ability to meet all of the ‘universal actions’ (like 10% trees ffs), the sustainability and habitat assessments.

I was shocked that, in our group, there were only four that I would describe as ‘farmers’. All of the others were smallholders, several retired, and a couple more that had ‘professional’ careers to support their hobbies.

The four farmers all came across as healthily suspicious of RPW’s requirements and motives, with all suggesting that RPW may struggle to get most of the land area to participate in their scheme.

One of the smallholders (retired FWAG) even went so far as to suggest that ‘less than 5%’ of farmers would be able to assess what habitat they had, or what potential it had. I may have expressed displeasure at that comment.

What was most scary to me, was that if only one third of our panel were proper farmers, earning their livings from the job, and the same is presumably the case across the other panels, then RPW are getting some very skewed opinions on their scheme.

Who was the retired FWAG? Female with the initials HB?
Name and shame

 

[Bwcho]

Unless it’s changed recently, hedges don’t count (ridiculously), but hedgerow trees do.

Existing trees have always counted towards the 10% requirement.

Well that changes things quite a bit
It was from this article in the FG that I misinterpreted about the hedges.
Haven't really had time to pay this too much attention....I've been pre-occupied reading up on the other utterly shambolic nonsensical scheme that WAG are introducing on 1st December to crucify residential landlords.
But back to this sub, on the small scale that I'm on, I'm almost convinced that they can shove their money and I'll keep hold of the little freedom that's still available.

 

[Yale]

If you read this wiki page, first paragraph it may explain Drakeford the dictators reasoning and why the 10% tree cover will not change.

May be right, may be wrong.

Forest - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Grass And Grain]

Thought it was bad in England.