Glastir Advanced Capital Works Farm businesses should check their RPW Online account for a notification of unclaimed Capital Works. All unclaimed 2018 Capital Works items must be claimed no later than 28 January 2019 via their RPW Online account.

Sustainable Production Grant The second expression of interest window for the Sustainable Production Grant (SPG) will open on 4 March and close on 12 April 2019. Eligibility for the Welsh Government’s SPG requires a partner in the business to attend a Sustainable Farming event organised by Farming Connect (FC). The individual attending must be registered as a business partner with FC and Rural Payments Wales. Join us at one of these events to find out about the substantial level of services and support available.

Farm Business Grant  The sixth expression of interest window for the Farm Business Grant (FBG) will open on 4 March and close on 12 April 2019. Eligibility for the Welsh Government’s FBG requires a partner in the business to attend a Farming for the Future event organised by Farming Connect (FC). Further information about the events and how to book your place will be available shortly on the Farming Connect and Welsh Government websites. The individual attending must be registered as a business partner with FC and Rural Payments Wales.

Single Application Form 2019 The Single Application Form 2019 will be available from 5 March. Guidance and information will be available online.

Transfer of BPS Entitlements 2019 Farmers can transfer their BPS Entitlements by sale or lease with or without land or via inheritance. Transfer of Entitlements online forms are available for you to complete using your RPW Online account. You must notify the Welsh Government before midnight on 30 April 2019 of any transfers in order for you to make a claim on entitlements you are receiving, in a particular scheme year.

Manage My Land Farm businesses are reminded that Manage My Land changes must be submitted within 30 days of the change taking place in order to avoid penalties.

RPW Online – New Customer Online Registration Rural Payments Wales has now moved from its paper-based registration process to a new online registration system. This new process will allocate new customers a unique Customer Reference Number (CRN) and provide instant access to the RPW Online website.

Access your RPW online account on a regular basis With the majority of communication from Rural Payment Wales now on line it is vital all businesses registered with RPW online access their accounts on a regular basis. Notification of application windows, progress with applications and claims, reminders and messages are all conveyed on line. If you need assistance please contact the RPW Customer Contact Centre on 03000625004 or the Farm Liaison Service team.

Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory Sheep and goat keepers are reminded to complete and return the Annual Inventory form by 1 February 2019. You also have the option of completing the Annual Inventory online by logging onto www.eidcymru.org. If you are completing the form electronically, you do not need to return the paper form. If you require any assistance please contact the EID Cymru service helpline on 01970 636959 or email contact@eidcymru.org

Sheep and Goat Keepers Guidance 2018 You should have received this with your Sheep and Goat Annual inventory form. Please make sure that you familiarise yourself with the current regulations and that you comply.

£5m to help eradicate sheep scab Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, has announced that £5m available through the Rural Development Programme will be used to help eradicate sheep scab.

What to do if you find a dead badger Any individual who comes across a dead badger carcass should call 0808 1695110 for further information and instruction in dealing with these carcases.

Wales Farming Conference Thursday 7 February 2019. Members Pavilion, Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, LD2 3SY. 10:00 to 16:00 (doors open 9:30).

Winter on the farm Help to ease the impact on your farm business and reduce the risk of something serious happening by considering these tips.

Micro Small Business Fund (MSBF) MSBF is an investment fund for projects in the tourism sector in Wales. It can be used either to upgrade existing or create new high quality product.

Helplines

Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI)

Helpline 0808 281 9490 email: grants@rabi.org.uk

The Farming Community Network (FCN)

Helpline 03000 111 999 or vist the website.

Addington Fund

01926 620135 or vist the website.

Tir Dewi (Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire)

0800 121 47 22 or visit the website.

DPJ Foundation (Pembrokeshire)

Email: contact@thedpjfoundation.com

Read more on gov.wales/environmentandcountryside