Controversial tree planting targets for farms in Wales have been scrapped.
The requirement for farmers to have 10% of their land under tree cover in return for government funding has been dropped by the Welsh government after discussions with farming unions.
But the requirement for farmers to operate at least 10% of their farm as natural habitat remains, with extra temporary habitat options to be considered.
The targets formed part of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) which prompted demonstrations by farmers outside the Senedd earlier this year.
Thousands of pairs of wellies were also placed on the steps of the Welsh parliament building in a protest by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Cymru against the Welsh government’s plans.
After concerns were raised in the farming industry that the scheme could lead to job losses and increased financial pressure on farms, the scheme was then delayed in May for further consultation with unions.
Under the revised plans, farmers will be able to decide whether to add more trees or hedges on their land and will get a funding boost for doing so.
Some other requirements have been changed to be optional, including the need for all farms to have wash stations.
The U-turn was announced by the deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Builth Wells on Monday.
“We said we would listen – and we’ve done just that,” he said.
“Farmers are at the heart of communities right across Wales, and they play a crucial role in our economy and food production.
“As stewards of our land, they also have a key role to play in protecting and restoring nature and tackling the climate emergency.”
Mr Irranca-Davies said he remained “committed to listening to and working with our stakeholders”.
The final revised scheme is expected to be announced next summer.
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NFU Cymru president Aled Jones said the announcement marked “an important step forward” but “a huge amount of work” remained on many aspects of the scheme.
Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) president Ian Rickman said the union felt farmers were “now in a better place” on the scheme but that the announcement “only marks the end of the beginning”.
