Huw Irranca-Davies 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.