The Welsh Liberal Democrats have today called on the Welsh Government to make fire pond creation and restoration an eligible action under the Sustainable Farming Scheme, as firefighters have continued to battle wildfires across Wales over the last few weeks.
The call comes as significant fires across all parts of Wales have placed enormous pressure on the country’s fire and rescue services in the previous few weeks.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have thanked firefighters from North Wales, Mid and West Wales, and South Wales Fire and Rescue Services, along with all those supporting the response, for their professionalism and dedication in working tirelessly to contain the blazes and protect homes, businesses, farmland and wildlife.
In a letter to Llyr Gruffydd MS, the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, the Welsh Liberal Democrats argue that fire ponds should be recognised as a practical, nature-based climate adaptation measure within the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
Fire ponds are a simple, practical solution. They provide water for livestock and irrigation during dry spells, while also giving fire crews a vital water source when tackling wildfires in areas without hydrants. They can also reduce surface water runoff and create valuable habitats for wildlife, delivering multiple public benefits from a single investment.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats argue that wildfire resilience should not be treated separately from flood and drought adaptation, but recognised as part of the same climate challenge facing Welsh agriculture.
The party is calling on the Welsh Government to:
1. Make the creation and restoration of fire ponds an eligible action within the Sustainable Farming Scheme, backed by appropriate capital funding.
2. Recognise wildfire resilience alongside flood and drought resilience within the Scheme’s climate adaptation measures.
3. Work with Natural Resources Wales, the three Welsh Fire and Rescue Services and the farming sector to identify areas most at risk from wildfires and where additional water sources would have the greatest benefit.
4. Assess the availability and condition of on-farm water sources that could be used for firefighting.
5. Set out how rural firefighting water infrastructure will be monitored as part of Wales’ wider climate adaptation strategy.
Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick said:
“First and foremost, I want to thank our firefighters, who have been working around the clock in incredibly difficult conditions to contain these fires and keep people, property and our countryside safe. Their dedication is nothing short of remarkable.
“As these wildfires demonstrate, we need to think not just about responding to these incidents, but about preventing them from becoming even more destructive in future.
“Fire ponds are a simple, practical solution. They provide water for livestock and irrigation during dry spells, while also giving fire crews a vital water source when tackling wildfires in areas without hydrants.
“The Sustainable Farming Scheme is about rewarding farmers for delivering public goods. Fire ponds improve climate resilience, support biodiversity and help protect communities, so they should be an eligible part of the Scheme.”
Adding her comments, Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and Senedd Member for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd said:
“The wildfires we’ve seen burning across Wales are a stark reminder that climate change is no longer a future threat; it is happening now, and our rural communities are already feeling the consequences.
“Wildfire resilience shouldn’t be treated separately from flood and drought adaptation; they’re all part of the same climate challenge. Farmers are on the front line of climate change, and they need the right support to adapt.
“Supporting the creation of fire ponds through the Sustainable Farming Scheme would be a practical investment in protecting rural communities, strengthening our resilience to extreme weather and helping safeguard Wales’ countryside for future generations.
“The Welsh Government should seize the opportunity to support this common-sense proposal before the next wildfire season.”
