Welsh Liberal Democrats push fire ponds into Sustainable Farming Scheme as wildfires rage

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have written to the Welsh Government urging that the creation and restoration of fire ponds be made an eligible action under the Sustainable Farming Scheme. The request comes after weeks of intense wildfires across North, Mid‑West and South Wales, which have stretched fire‑and‑rescue services. The party argues that fire ponds provide on‑farm water for livestock and irrigation, supply a vital water source for firefighters in areas without hydrants, reduce surface runoff and create wildlife habitats. In the letter to Rural Resilience and Sustainability Minister Llyr Gruffydd MS, the group calls for capital funding, inclusion of wildfire resilience alongside flood and drought measures, and collaborative assessment of on‑farm water resources with Natural Resources Wales and firefighting services. Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick thanked firefighters for their professionalism and dedication in protecting homes, businesses, farmland and wildlife.