Preparing Wales to leave the EU

This website sets out advice for citizens, organisations and sectors across Wales about the steps that need to be taken to prepare to leave the EU and will be updated regularly.

New farm safety ambassadors announced to highlight health and safety challenges on Welsh farms

Alun Elidyr Edwards and Glyn Davies have been appointed to two new ambassadorial roles to promote health and safety awareness on farms across Wales.

Do you need to dispose of any out of date pesticides or sheep dip?

Welsh Water, is currently running a free scheme for farmers, growers, gamekeepers, foresters and land managers to safely dispose of any unwanted, out of date pesticides, herbicides and sheep dip. Click on the headline to complete the online registration form or call 01443 452716 by 5pm 30 September 2019.

Register farm waste activity

All farmers who manage waste need to register or renew their waste exemptions with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in the next few months.

Time to act - deadline approaching for previous exempt water abstractors

If you take more than 20 cubic meters (4,400 gallons) per day from a surface or groundwater source like a river, a well or a borehole you are likely to need a transitional licence and need to act now. If you do not apply now:

• you will lose your right to abstract water from 1 January 2020
• if you do not submit a valid application by 31 December 2019 and continue abstraction post this date then you will be committing a criminal offence for which NRW may take enforcement action against you (including prosecution).

Application forms and further information can be found at Natural Resources Wales or by phoning 0300 065 3000.

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2019 Support Scheme

Farm businesses will need to apply for the BPS 2019 Support Scheme. Rural Payments Wales (RPW) will provide further details and make an online application available in October.

Sustainable Production Grant

The expression of interest window for the Sustainable Production Grant (SPG) is now open and will close on 11 October 2019.

Glastir Woodland Creation

The next expression of interest window for Glastir Woodland Creation will open on 30 September 2019 and close on 8 November 2019.

Transfer of BPS Entitlements 2020

The application period for BPS Transfer and Lease of entitlements for 2020 is now open. The Welsh Government must be notified by 30 April 2020 in order for the recipient to make a claim on entitlements they are receiving for the 2020 scheme year.

Delivery of badger trap and test operations on chronic TB 2018 report is now available

Badger trap and test operations were undertaken on 6 farms in 2018, and a total of 120 individual badgers were caught and sampled.

Bovine Electronic Identification – update

As part of new EU regulations, Bovine Electronic Identification (EID) is being introduced to the UK and this will be phased-in for Wales over the next few years. The Welsh Government will consult on the roll out of Bovine EID and a proposed date will be announced following consultation and industry approval. In the meantime, please continue to follow the double tagging requirements for cattle. Only order conventional tags (not EID) and please only order enough ear tags for one year. Any unused ear tags must be kept securely.

What to do if you find a dead badger

If you find a dead badger, you should report it, giving the location of the badger:

• phone: 0808 1695110
• e-mail: badger@bfd.wales
• website: www.bfd.wales

Hill farm reaps grassland reseeding benefits

Reseeding three-quarters of grassland on a Welsh hill farm with a mixture of short and long term leys is allowing it to not only grow more grass but to provide grazing for sheep and cattle on the shoulders of the year.

Optimising tupping success with early condition flock scoring 

Getting ewes in the correct body condition score will increase scanning percentage, number of lambs born and the number of lambs weaned on Welsh sheep farms. The aim should be to achieve the right fat level at mating in at least 90% of the flock – for lowland breeds that’s a condition score of 3.5 and in upland breeds 3.

Regional shows

The Welsh Government will be attending the Usk Show on 14 September. If you are attending the show please drop in and see us.

Consultations currently open

Management measures for widely spread invasive alien species (IAS) in England and Wales - closes 12 September 2019.

Sustainable Farming and our Land - closes 30 October 2019.

Animal Exhibits - closes 21 November 2019.

St David’s Awards

We need your help to find the next winners of the St David Awards – the national awards of Wales.
This is your chance to recognise the exceptional people that make Wales great! Nominations for the 2020 Awards close on 17 October.

Co-operation and Supply Chain Development Scheme

The next expression of interest window for the Co-operation and Supply Chain Development Scheme is now open and will close on 16 September 2019.

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.