Mark Drakeford: Not up to farmers to decide how subsidies spent

Wales' outgoing first minister has defended plans to ask farmers to plant trees on their land in return for cash.

Mark Drakeford spoke following recent go-slow protests sparked by proposed changes to how agriculture is subsidised.

The Welsh Labour leader said farmers could not simply decide themselves what to do with millions in subsidies.

Mr Drakeford, who quits next month, said the plans would see farmers paid to help address the climate crisis.

He said he understood it was a "difficult time" for rural Wales, but added: "Change is unavoidable."

The Welsh Conservatives accused Mr Drakeford of showing "naked contempt for our farmers", while Plaid Cymru said Labour was "out of touch".

A go-slow demonstration took place in Newtown, Powys, on Sunday, where a Labour leadership hustings was being held.

Mr Drakeford told a press conference that legitimate protest was "absolutely a right" but he said criminal damage was "not acceptable" and warned protesters against having a major impact on other people's lives.

The Welsh Labour leader appealed to farmers who have not taken part in the ongoing consultation on the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) to do so.

"Their voices will shape the final scheme," he said, saying thousands of farmers had taken part so far.

Plans for the SFS - the Welsh government's proposals to replace farming subsidies after Brexit - have sparked demonstrations and protests.

In order to gain access to the scheme, farmers will have to commit to having trees on 10% of their land, and earmark another 10% as wildlife habitat.

Protesters argue it is not practical while running a business and fear they could be overwhelmed with paperwork. Ministers are also under pressure from environmentalists to ensure the proposals are ambitious.

Farming unions reiterated their concerns about the new scheme to a Welsh government minister on Monday.

Lesley Griffiths, who oversees rural affairs, said she did not think comments by the first minister should "antagonise anybody".

Ms Griffiths told BBC Radio Wales Drive: "Whoever has to audit that public money has to ensure that it is public money well spent. I think we would be criticised if we did not say that.

"I want to try and get away from is this 'sustainable food production against the environment'. The two for me complement each other.

"The biggest threat to sustainable food production is our climate change.

"It is absolutely about keeping farmers on that land, protecting our culture, protecting our Welsh language, and making sure those farmers are able to farm for future generations as well."

Ms Griffiths met senior officials from Wales' two farming unions, the NFU and FAW.

FUW president Ian Rickman said the SFS in its current form is "clearly not ready" and said the minister repeated assurances it will not be launched until it is.

"The continuation of the Basic Payment Scheme at current rates, until we are confident the SFS is ready, must therefore be considered," he said.

NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said the farming community was in turmoil.

Responding to Mr Drakeford's comments, Mr Jones told BBC Radio Cymru's Post Prynhawn there was a "lack of recognition of what agriculture already contributes".

Ms Griffiths said many of the issues discussed "were common with those we heard from the 3,200 farmers who've attended the Welsh government events".

She said she expected to make changes to the scheme as a result of responses to the consultation.

"Once the consultation is over I will receive a detailed analysis of the responses, and as I've said before I would expect to make changes to the scheme as a result," she said.

At a press conference on Monday, Mr Drakeford said: "I understand that this is a difficult time for people in rural Wales. That people feel their way of life is under attack from the forces of change that go on around them.

"But change is unavoidable."

He said he did not buy into the "narrative" that there was a choice between "jobs today and a burning platform that will come unless we are prepared to take action".

The first minister added: "The bargain cannot be that the public puts its hand into the pocket to put millions of pounds, maybe £300m every year on the table, for farmers to just do whatever farmers think they would like to do with it."

He said the public was "entitled to a return on that investment".

"Top of the bargain is sustainable food production. Of course we want to see farmers in Wales producing food in ways that are consistent with a climate crisis."

Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies said: "This statement shows the first minister's naked contempt for our farmers.

"Labour and Plaid Cymru fail to realise that no farmers means no food, as they sacrifice our agricultural communities at the altar of a fanatical green agenda."

Plaid Cymru spokesperson for rural affairs, Llyr Gruffydd, said: "The first minister's comments show yet again how out of touch Labour are with our farmers and rural communities across Wales. Instead of patronising the sector, the first minister and his government should be working with the community to show that their voices and concerns are being listened to."