FORESTRY bosses in Wales can now amend, suspend, or revoke felling licences to prevent felling that "would contradict other environmental legislation".
The change comes after the Welsh Agriculture Act was made law when it received Royal Assent today, despite opposition from some sections of the rural industry.
Previously, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) officials could only asses applications based on the UKFS and the Forestry Act 1967 (which applied to both England and Wales). They had no power to adjust licences until now.
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Elsewhere, the main source of future Government support for farmers in Wales underpinned by the Act will come through the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme. This has proven controversial, with farming leaders critical of possible binding targets on woodland creation.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “This is a historic Act. The first time ever Wales has been able to design its own policy for farming. It comes at a crucial time for the industry, as we shape future support and face the challenges of higher costs and the climate emergency.
“The Act allows us to focus on the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of the Welsh agricultural sector.
"We know the main threat to sustainable food production in the future is climate change, this Act gives us the tools to support the industry to continue to produce food sustainably while taking action to deal with the climate emergency.”
The Act provides tenant farmers with a route to dispute resolution to ensure they are not unfairly restricted from accessing financial assistance.
It also replaces time limited powers in the Agriculture Act 2020 which are due to expire in December 2024.
Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “I’m very pleased to see the sealing of the Wales’s first Agriculture Act today. This is truly a historic day for Welsh farmers and rural communities.
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“We are now moving ahead with delivering a system of support for farmers designed in Wales, and which works for Wales. This includes the Sustainable Farming Scheme which will be the main source of support for farmers from 2025.
“There isn’t a choice between sustainable food production on our farms and tackling climate change."
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