New Ffermio Bros Scheme Launched by Welsh Government
A new £1.8 million Welsh Government scheme will offer targeted support for farmers operating in National Parks and National Landscapes, with funding and practical advice to support collaborative, nature-friendly land management.
New ‘Ffermio Bro’ scheme
A new £1.8 million Welsh Government scheme will offer targeted support for farmers operating in National Parks and National Landscapes (formerly Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – AONBs), with funding and practical advice to support collaborative, nature-friendly land management.
Launched this week by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies during a visit to Upper Meend Farm in the Wye Valley, the Ffermio Bro (Farming in Designated Landscapes) scheme aims to deliver environmental improvements through partnerships between farmers and the local landscape bodies that manage these protected areas.
The scheme forms part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to protect 30% of land and seas for nature by 2030 – and includes funding for projects such as low-density woodland planting, hay meadow creation, peatland restoration, river improvements, and the protection of traditional features such as hedgerows, stone walls and slate fences.
Speaking at the launch, the Deputy First Minister said:
“Our National Parks and National Landscapes are truly special and unique. While our landscape bodies have a responsibility to look after these precious areas, our farmers living and working in them know them best. That’s why Ffermio Bro has partnership working at its heart to deliver bigger and better projects across our landscapes, because a whole-Wales approach is needed to tackle the nature emergency. This scheme will support farmers to work together, allowing nature to thrive alongside the sustainable production of food across our finest landscapes.”
Fraser McCauley, Senior Policy Advisor at CLA Cymru, welcomed the announcement and emphasised the need for practical, farmer-led delivery:
“This scheme is a step in the right direction. Farmers are already doing vital work to manage these landscapes for food, nature and heritage and they need support that works with them, not around them. Ffermio Bro recognises that local knowledge and collaboration are key to improving biodiversity, restoring features like hedgerows and walls, and protecting uplands. Practical advice, flexible funding and clear links to the Sustainable Farming Scheme will be essential to make this work on the ground. We will continue to work with Welsh Government and partners to ensure this delivers real outcomes for farmers, nature and the rural economy.”
Practical Delivery with Long-Term Alignment
The first wave of projects is expected to start this summer, with the majority delivered between September 2025 and January 2026. A key element of the scheme is the appointment of specialist Ffermio Bro advisers, embedded within National Landscape bodies, who will work directly with land managers to develop and implement suitable projects.
CLA Cymru has long supported collaborative, landscape-scale action that empowers farmers to lead on nature and climate outcomes – while continuing to produce high-quality food and contribute to rural economic growth.
The Ffermio Bro model has the potential to inform the wider Collaborative Layer of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, and its success will depend on clear alignment with long-term rural policy. We advocate for schemes that have a holistic long term approach as opposed to siloed short term funding.
As the scheme develops, CLA Cymru will work closely with members and government to ensure it remains farmer-led, practical, and rooted in the realities of managing land in Wales’ most valued rural areas.
