n By Hajera Blagg ‘‘


The proposals are very modest ones, and an entirely reasonable attempt to change the way farming is done – to be more in lockstep with nature – by taking very small initial steps


Ivan Monckton, Unite activist and countryside contractor


“The SFS was developed from the very start with farmers – they were consulted throughout the entire process,” he explained. “The proposals are very modest ones, and they’re an entirely reasonable attempt to change the way farming is done – to be more in lockstep with nature – by taking very small initial steps.”


One of the mooted proposals is the requirement that farmers use 10 per cent of suitable land managed as habitat, and 10 per cent under tree cover. This is one of the most contentious parts of the SFS, but Ivan believes the outrage is manufactured.


He points to research by the Woodland Trust which estimates that 6 to 7 per cent of Welsh farmland is already under tree cover, meaning most farms already meet part of this criteria without having to take any action.


What’s more, the Nature Friendly Farming Network highlights that tree cover and habitat can in fact be integrated with food production.


No Farmers, No Food has argued that the 10 per cent rule aims to take land out of production, but Ivan calls this ‘complete and utter nonsense’.


“If they actually took the time to read the details of the scheme, it emphasises time and again the importance of keeping farmers on their land in production,” he said. “I have seen absolutely no evidence that the SFS aims to take farmers off the land.”


Unite Wales equalities officer Jo Galazka agrees with Ivan that the SFS has been misunderstood.


Jo sits on the Agricultural Advisory Panel (AAP) for Wales, a body which advises on agricultural minimum wages and promotes careers in the sector.


She believes much of the criticism levelled against the SFS is used as “an excuse by political opportunists to attack the Welsh Labour government”. But Jo worries that the scheme has been poorly communicated and has not adequately involved workers’ unions.


“The SFS should have been something that our Panel had sight of from the very start,” she explained. “We’ve only been told about details after the fact, and we’re playing catch up. In some ways the government has missed a trick not having Unite at the table because we could have led on promoting and communicating it properly.”


Jo added that ‘5,500 jobs lost’ figure has been seized on by far-right groups hijacking famers’ protests as evidence of the damage the SFS could do. But she emphasises that the 5,500 figure is based on outdated research and even then, modelled as a worst-case scenario.


“In one protest, they put 5,500 wellies on the steps of the Senedd, and while that’s a really effective message, it’s not rooted in reality,” Jo said. “Any job loss would of course be of concern to us, but there’s no clear and credible evidence of that.”


Both Ivan and Jo note that one missing piece of the SFS puzzle is how much money farmers would receive as part of the scheme. This is entirely dependent on funding from


27 uniteLANDWORKER Summer 2024


the UK government, and they’re both hopeful that an incoming Labour government will fund the scheme properly.


Ivan also noted that the scheme was delayed in part because a new Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, was appointed in May. Irranca-Davies has decades of experience in agricultural policy, and both Unite and farmers are optimistic that his appointment will signal a reset for the SFS.


Ultimately, Unite urges farmers to accept the public responsibilities that must come with receiving taxpayers’ money, and to be open-minded about a scheme that should involve and benefit all parties concerned.


“I ask farmers to look at the scheme themselves, not simply swallow hook, line, and sinker what these far-right elements are feeding them,” Ivan said. “Understand the reasoning behind it, and if you’ve still got concerns, Huw Irranca-Davies is someone who will listen.”


Jo agreed. “There’s lots of misinformation out there, and I would urge anyone who has questions about the SFS to get in touch with Unite and follow our lead,” she said. “If there are any concerns about job losses, we’ll be around the table, working with the employers’ side to ensure jobs are protected.”


ANY QUESTIONS?


Unite members should contact Unite Wales – see page 39


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