Written question WQ87899

Net Zero Wales sets out our vision for farmers to reduce greenhouse gases by improving efficiencies on farm whilst continuing to produce high quality and sustainable food and making the most of carbon sequestration through tree planting and peatland restoration.

We have held a series of public consultations and continue our ongoing co-design process to devise the Sustainable Farming Scheme. Throughout this engagement, we have stressed how climate change is the biggest medium to long term risk to the UK’s domestic food production along with other environmental pressures like soil degradation, water quality and biodiversity. This is why we are embedding Sustainable Land Management in the Agriculture (Wales) Bill to enable us to support Welsh farmers to produce food in a sustainable manner whilst also contributing to our fight against the climate and nature emergency.

We also raise awareness to the public of the important role our farmers play in protecting our environment through a range of public interactions throughout the calendar year. These include at major agricultural events and summer shows – including the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show and Winter Fair at Llanelwydd. Information is also sent directly to subscribers of the Gwlad, the farming and forestry newsletter and our Climate Change Bulletin. Information is also available on the @WGRural Twitter channel.

Our Communications team work closely with the media, across the UK, to highlight the Welsh Government’s congoing commitment to supporting our agriculture industry to thrive, produce sustainable food, but also to play a crucial part in tackling the climate emergency we are facing.