The Welsh Government cannot afford to wait until the beginning of May to publish their report on the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) consultation responses, if they still want to launch SFS in January 2025.
Welsh agriculture
That was the message from NFU Cymru president, Aled Jones at the union's first meeting with both the new First Minister Vaughan Gething and his newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies MS.
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Mr Jones said whilst he applauded Welsh Government's 'ambitious' time frame, he was 'resistant to launching an SFS scheme that was 'not ready', adding he felt there was a lack of comprehension on ‘the enormity' of what is still left to be done with SFS, including piloting and an up-to-date impact assessment.
The appointment of Mr Davies has on the whole has been positively received, with a feeling that he was a 'good choice' out of those rumoured for the job at the time. Farmers and union leaders recognised his wealth of experience, and a familiar industry face, having served as a former Shadow Defra Minister.
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Sustainable Farming Scheme
Mr Jones acknowledged whilst many would instead 'look for a place to hide', given the 'anger and fear' out there in the industry, Mr Davies said to him in the meeting that he was 'chuffed to bits' to get the role and that he was determined to get the industry to a position that it can work with.
But Mr Jones said he did not want to 'expand hope beyond what it is' right now, and that there were no 'tangible actions' yet to judge the new team on.
Welsh Government
Mr Jones reiterated in the meeting that farmers feel 'disengaged' with Welsh Government, adding if they wanted to restore relationships they must demonstrate that they are listening.
"They didn't say anything, but from their facial expressions, you could tell that they understood what I was telling them."
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The NFU Cymru president said Mr Davies told him that he 'did not want any surprises'.
Mr Jones believed that indicated a will to move forward into the role with better understanding, 'so we do not have flare ups that we have seen in the last few months.'
