Oral Answers to Questions

Gregory Stafford Excerpts

Wednesday 16th July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Jo Stevens]

The Opposition’s decision to vote against the additional funding was inexplicable, as was their decision to vote against extra money for the NHS, for education and for businesses—I could go on. They stand here and criticise this Government while they vote against extra money for Wales.

[Gregory Stafford (Farnham and Bordon) (Con)]

6. What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the autumn Budget 2024 on family farms in Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Dame Nia Griffith)]

The Government are steadfastly committed to family farms in Wales, which is why we protected the farm budget at its current level and allocated £337 million to the Welsh Government at the autumn Budget. Furthermore, at the UK-EU summit on 19 May the Prime Minister announced that the UK would deliver a new agrifood deal with the European Union. Routine sanitary and phytosanitary border checks will be eliminated, with less paperwork and fewer costs. British goods such as dairy, fish, eggs and red meat currently subject to 100% documentary checks and up to 30% physical checks will see those removed entirely.

[Gregory Stafford]

Although the aims of the sustainable farming scheme are laudable, many farmers across Wales are expressing real concern about its complexity, the potential reduction in food production and the adequacy of the financial support on offer. What assurances can the Minister give that the scheme will be simplified, sufficiently funded and implemented in a way that supports both the environmental goals and the economic viability of Welsh farming communities?

[Dame Nia Griffith]

The scheme will have a transition period, with the basic payment scheme available for those not in the SFS, although that will be reduced by 40% next year. The Welsh Government are prioritising their money on the SFS to encourage farmers to join the scheme and start benefiting from it. The Farming Union of Wales has said that the plan provides

“workable payment rates and much needed stability for the sector.”