Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Today I am publishing an overview of support available from 2026 through the Sustainable Farming Scheme. This is the next step in supporting farmers in improving the resilience of their farm business and local environment, and the next step in Welsh Government support to delivering against our Sustainable Land Management objectives.
This document provides an overview of the support we will be making available throughout 2026 and into 2027. It is written to help farmers understand what opportunities to look out for which could help with their forward planning. We will publish payment rates alongside technical guidance, ahead of opening application windows.
This overview includes a description of whether we would provide capital or revenue support. Some of it is a continuation of existing funding mechanisms the industry is already familiar with, such as capital support for equipment related to productivity, restoring field boundaries or woodland creation. Some of the support is brand new. We continue to work with stakeholders to refine the details of these proposals, plus additional actions to be developed throughout the Transition Period.
Some support is reserved only for those farmers who have entered the SFS Universal Layer, to build upon the foundations of the Universal Actions. Some support remains more widely available, however farmers within the Universal Layer will be prioritised. This position will be reviewed depending on the rate at which farm businesses transition into the SFS, and the demand against the available budget.
We encourage all farmers to consider these support options to make the most of the available opportunities.