- UA1: Soil Health
- UA2: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- UA3: Benchmarking
- UA4: Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
- UA5: Habitat Maintenance
- UA6: Temporary Habitat Creation on improved land
- UA7: Designated Site Management Plans (DSMP)
- UA8: Hedgerow Management
- UA9: Woodland Maintenance
- UA10: Tree & Hedgerow Planting Opportunity Plan
- UA11: Historic Environment
- UA12: Animal Health & Welfare
UA1 Soil Health
By 31 December, soil test for P, K, Mg, pH and SOM, a minimum of 20% of your fields containing improved land, as mapped. (Soil testing after 1 January 2022 can count towards this UA)
Support / advice: Use Accredited Laboratory. Refer to AHDB website.
SFS Universal Dashboard: Record that soil testing has been completed on the SFS Universal Dashboard by 15 January 2027.
Recordkeeping: Retain soil testing results on-farm for a minimum of 5 years.
UA2: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Applicable if you use, or employ contractors to use, Plant Protection Products (PPPs).
You must:
- collect and record data of all PPP used on your holding; and
- complete an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan.
Support / advice: See WG Pesticide Treatment Record template. For IPM guidance and templates please see the Voluntary Initiative
SFS Universal Dashboard: Confirm that you have met the requirements of this UA by 15 January 2027.
Recordkeeping: Record of PPP usage and annual IPM Plan must be kept on-farm for a minimum of 5 years.
UA3: Benchmarking
By 31 December, complete either:
- An industry approved benchmarking tool; Or
- FARMDATA+ through Farming Connect.
Support / advice: Farming Connect FARMDATA+
SFS Universal Dashboard: Confirm that you have met the requirements of this UA by 15 January 2027. Record the industry benchmarking tool used and the date completed. For FARMDATA+, the SFS Dashboard will be automatically updated.
Recordkeeping: Benchmarking results should be kept on-farm for a minimum of 5 years. If using FARMDATA+ no records will be required for inspection.
UA4: Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
By 31 December, you and/or your business partner must complete:
- A minimum of six hours of learning
- Mandatory Farming Connect Health & Safety training.
Support / advice: Farming Connect e-learning modules. Other Farming Connect activity and some NFU Cymru events may contribute to this UA.
SFS Universal Dashboard: Confirm that you have met the requirements of this UA by 15 January 2027 including details of training. If completed via Farming Connect the Dashboard will be automatically updated.
Recordkeeping: Learning records should be kept on-farm for a minimum of 5 years. If completed through Farming Connect, no records will be required for inspection.
UA5: Habitat Maintenance
Manage all mapped semi-natural habitats in accordance with the relevant habitat classification.
Support / advice: Annex 2 of SFS Guidance. Activity and stocking templates in ‘When the inspector calls’
SFS Universal Dashboard: Confirm that you have met the requirements of this UA by 15 January 2027.
Recordkeeping: Activity diary and stocking diary (for Upland Open Habitats) should be kept on-farm for a minimum of 5 years.
UA6: Temporary Habitat Creation on improved land
Applicable if you do not have 10% habitat. By 31 December, you must create temporary habitat on improved land, as declared on SAF 2026.Support / advice: Annex 3 of SFS Guidance.
SFS Universal Dashboard: Confirm you have met the requirements of this UA by 15 January 2027.
Recordkeeping: Activity diary must be completed and kept on-farm for a period of 5 years.
UA7: Designated Site Management Plans (DSMP)
Applicable if your holding includes a designated site as per the SFS Map. By 31 December 2030, work with WG / NRW to develop a Designated Site Management Plan and Schedule of Works.
Support / advice: WG / NRW will contact you.
SFS Universal Dashboard: Where applicable the SFS Dashboard will highlight the need for a Designated Site Management Plan. The SFS Dashboard will show once a DSMP has been created.
Recordkeeping: There are no specific record keeping requirements for this UA.
UA8: Hedgerow Management
Applies to hedgerows under your management control, managed through cutting and / or trimming.
Do not trim or cut 2 years in a row (except where an exemption applies)
Do not cut in the bird nesting season (1 March to 31 August)
Allow hedge to grow thicker & taller (at least 5cm incremental growth)
Maintain or establish a hedgerow tree at least every 50m (average)
Support / advice: See the SFS Guidance
SFS Universal Dashboard: Confirm you have met the requirements of this UA by 15 January 2027.
Recordkeeping: Keep an activity diary which records all hedgerow activities for 5 years.
UA9: Woodland Maintenance
Manage all existing woodland in blocks of 0.1ha or greater in accordance with requirements.
Support / advice: See the SFS Guidance
SFS Universal Dashboard: Confirm you have met the requirements of this UA by 15 January 2027.
Recordkeeping: Activity diary, retaining evidence if trees are cut / trimmed between 1 March and 31 August.
UA10: Tree & Hedgerow Planting Opportunity Plan
By 31 December, complete a Tree & Hedgerow Planting Opportunity Plan on RPW Online. Demonstrate progress of planting (0.1ha) by 31 December 2028
Support / advice: Available from summer 2026
SFS Universal Dashboard: Dashboard will be automatically updated once the Plan is completed RPW online
Recordkeeping: There are no recordkeeping requirements for this UA.
UA11: Historic Environment
Manage all Historic Features as per SFS Map in accordance with requirements.
Support / advice: See the SFS Guidance
SFS Universal Dashboard: Confirm that you have met the requirements of this UA by 15 January 2027.
Recordkeeping: Evidence of deterioration and / or Activity Diary kept on-farm for a minimum of 5 years.
UA12: Animal Health & Welfare
By 31 December, with your vet:
- Complete the Animal Health Improvement Cycle (AHIC – steps 1 & 2))
- Complete Incoming Animal Biosecurity Risk Assessment
Complete training for Body Condition Scoring and Mobility Scoring
Support / advice: Welsh Government AHIC form; Welsh Government Biosecurity Assessment forms; See Farming Connect
SFS Universal Dashboard: Confirm you have met the requirements of each element by 15 January 2027, training undertaken through Farming Connect will be automatically updated. Details will be required where training has been delivered by an external provider.
Recordkeeping: The AHIC template, Biosecurity Risk Assessment, Body Condition and Mobility Scoring Records must be kept on-farm for a minimum of 5 years.
Further advice:
Welsh Government Customer Contact Centre: 0300 062 5004; Farming Connect: 03456 000813
Detailed information in the SFS Guidance; Welsh Government: When the inspector calls
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