Loss of organic support in wales poses ‘existential threat’ - farmers weekly

© Michael Evans/Adobe Stock Welsh government plans to withdraw £3.1m of support from the organic sector have been criticised by industry. Funding that organic farmers currently receive for

delivering environmental benefits is due to stop at the end of 2023, and the interim agri-environment scheme for 2024 has no provision to replicate this support. The Welsh Organic Forum has

said the move poses an “existential threat” to hundreds of farm businesses. See more: Rotational grazing allows Welsh organic farm to expand suckler herd An open letter to the first minister

Mark Drakeford, signed by the Welsh Organic Forum, said: “We are shocked that the Welsh government looks set to reject a globally recognised beacon of sustainable farming. “A withdrawal of

support for organic farming will have serious economic and environmental consequences in Wales. “The decision poses an existential risk to the Welsh food and farming sector’s ability to

deliver to our climate, nature and food security obligations. “It is likely to precipitate a mass exodus of organic farmers, inflicting long-lasting damage on the sector.” Currently, Wales

has the highest proportion of land area certified as organic in the UK. Welsh organic dairy farmer Haydn Evans, who is chairman of the Welsh Organic Forum and Soil Association Cymru’s head

of farming, said: “It is astounding that the Welsh government is considering such a short-sighted cost-saving exercise when organic farmers have been leading the way in sustainable farming

for decades. “Decades of the government’s own investment in healthy soils, nature-rich farms and pioneering food businesses now looks set to squandered.” A Welsh government spokesperson

said: “Farmers in Wales, including organic farmers, have access to a range of support schemes, including an interim agri-environment scheme that will open later this year.  “Organic farming

and its practices are consistent with the principles of our proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme, due to start in 2025. “There will be a further Sustainable Farming Scheme consultation before

the end of this year, before final decisions on the scheme are made.”