A ‘reality check' was needed when talking about future funding for Welsh agriculture, according to Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths.
With the Welsh Government going through 'very difficult' budget times, the Minister said she was having to fight for 'every penny' for the farming pot in a way she did not before Brexit.
"I have to sit round the cabinet table and argue for funding for the sector which is obviously my job and I am happy to do that," she said.
Budget pressures
Ms Griffiths highlighted the pressure the Government was under, with over half of overall funding going to the health service.
The Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) was set to be accessible from 2025, replacing EU payments which had been worth around £300 million a year to Welsh farms.
Farmers will be rewarded for action to help soak up carbon emissions, protect wildlife and habitats and improve water quality.
NFU Cymru deputy president Abi Reader said she had a degree of ‘sympathy' for the Welsh Government and its budgetary pressures but with farming being devolved agriculture was 'its responsibility.'
UK Government
She said they must work harder in 'taking their message to Westminster.'
Ms Reader criticised the Welsh Government for ‘dodging responsibility' and refusing to do a provisional budget, based on pre-existing figures and information.
Ms Reader recognised the farmers needed to show commitment to environmental protection, but they needed to know what they will get in return.
She said if other small businesses were told to give up 20 per cent of production and they would be supported ‘but we are not going to tell you by how much'.
"They would not take that, and why should agriculture have to," she said.
Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS)
FUW president Ian Rickman shared similar concerns and said ‘the right financial package' for farming needed to come from Westminster.
"Whilst it is vitally important the Welsh Government design a SFS scheme that truly works for every farm in Wales, it is also imperative we have the budget to deliver it."
When asked if she would consider creating a provisional agricultural budget beyond 2025, Ms Griffiths said she would ‘look at it'.
She said she wants to 'avoid cliff edge in funding' but was concerned with a looming general election there could be greater uncertainty to come for the future of agricultural funding.
