Sustainable Farming Scheme:
farm support is changing

Introducing the Sustainable Farming Scheme

From January 2026, the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) will replace the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) as the main source of farm support in Wales. We've designed the SFS with farmers, for farmers.  

The SFS will support you to: 

  • Continue to produce world-class food sustainably
  • Help you manage the impacts of climate change on your farm
  • help nature to thrive 

It includes actions such as: 

  • soil testing to help you improve soil health
  • benchmarking to benefit farm business resilience
  • creating and maintaining habitats for wildlife alongside food production
  • planting trees and hedgerows to enhance your farm
  • further enhance the already high standards of animal health and welfare on your farm
  • support for ongoing learning to build upon your existing knowledge  

Eligibility

The SFS is for active farmers who:

  • are undertaking agricultural activities
  • have at least three hectares of eligible agricultural land, or can demonstrate more than 550 standard labour hours
  • have management control of the land for at least 10 months of the year 

Watch our animation that explains the scheme

What the Scheme involves 

The SFS has three levels:

Universal Actions

12 core activities we are asking every farmer to do. However, they may not all apply to your farm, and you may already be doing some of them. 

Optional Actions

Additional activities you can choose to do for extra funding. 

Collaborative Actions

Support for farmers to work together to deliver outcomes that cannot be delivered on a single farm.  

See the scheme description for an introduction to the Optional and Collaborative Actions. 

More detail will be published as these actions become available.

SFS payments
Our Ready Reckoner gives you an idea of the payment you could receive for completing the SFS Universal Actions for 2026
How to prepare for the SFS
Explains what steps to take for easier transition into the scheme

Key dates for the SFS

1 January 2026

The Universal Layer will run on a rolling annual basis with the scheme beginning 1 January each year. 

2 March 2026

Single Application Form 2026 opening date. The SAF is the process where you confirm you are entering the scheme and applying for the payment.  

Entering the SFS Universal Layer is not a competitive process. If you meet the scheme eligibility criteria and commit to undertaking the Universal Actions, you will be able to enter the scheme.  

15 May 2026

Single Application Form 2026 closing date. 

Find out more

Find out more about the Sustainable Farming Scheme by reading the scheme guidance on GOV.WALES.