Lib Dems and TFA secure key amends to Welsh Agriculture Bill

The Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Tenant Farmers Association Cymru have secured key amendments to the Agriculture (Wales) Bill for farmers in Wales.

In recent years, there has been an increase in demand from farmers in Wales seeking to diversify their operations and set up small-scale renewable energy production on their land.

On Tuesday 16 May, the Welsh Lib Dems secured a significant amendment to the Welsh Agriculture Bill in the Senedd after members from all political parties backed proposals by Mid and West Wales Senedd Member Jane Dodds.

See also: Welsh Agriculture Bill to be revamped to support farm viability

The amendment proposed seeks to ensure there is Welsh government support available to farmers who are looking to establish small-scale renewable energy production on their land.

It would also support the agricultural industry in making changes to increase energy efficiency in their businesses. 

Many landowners were disappointed that a previous Welsh government scheme to incentivise small-scale hydropower on private land was discontinued by the Welsh Labour government in 2021.

Ms Dodds hopes her amendment to the bill will lead to increased support from the Welsh government going forward. 

“My amendment enables the Welsh government to support farmers across Wales to adopt and adapt to manage energy effectively – including adopting energy efficiency and energy-saving practices – and generating renewable energy on their land,” she said.

TFA ‘victory’

Meanwhile, Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) Cymru said Welsh government had brought forward a crucial amendment to the bill.

The amendment would give farm business tenants the right to formally object to landlords’ unreasonable refusal to allow consent to take part in a government support scheme – or to comply with a statutory obligation when such consent is necessary.

TFA Cymru said it represents a “significant step forward” in ensuring tenant farmers have fair access to new Welsh government schemes to benefit the farmed environment.

“Further steps will be needed, including to ensure that scheme design itself is not a barrier to farm tenant participation,” it added.