Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Glastir Entry and Advanced Support Schemes

The Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs has announced an additional £5.5m has been allocated to the BPS and Glastir 2019 support scheme which re-opened on April 1 to support those farmers who are yet to receive their 2019 BPS and/or Glastir payments. Farmers will be able to apply for support through the scheme to alleviate potential cash flow problems.

The BPS support scheme payment value will be a maximum of 70% of your estimated 2019 value. The Glastir Entry and Advanced Support Scheme payment value will be a maximum of 50% of your estimated 2019 value.

Customers who are eligible to apply for the Support Schemes will be contacted by RPW. We encourage you to consider applying for a Support Scheme payment/s.

These are opt in schemes. You must apply for a BPS Support Scheme payment and/or a Glastir Entry and Advanced Support Scheme payment by 17 April 2020 through Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online.

However, given the exceptional circumstances and coronavirus instructions for self-isolation and for those with limited or no broadband access, you can contact the Customer Contact Centre on 0300 062 5004 and request the support scheme payment over the telephone.

Single Application Form 2020

The Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs has announced that legislation to extend the SAF deadline to 15 June is being introduced in the hope that it will alleviate the significant impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis is having farm businesses.

SAF customers will receive a notification when the new legislation takes effect.

You should notify the RPW Customer Contact Centre immediately if you are unable to access broadband or an appropriate computer to submit the online SAF by the deadline.

BPS Greening - crop diversification

Due to the storms earlier this year, many farmers may be unable to fulfil their Crop Diversification obligations. As a result, of the exceptional weather and current coronavirus (COVID-19) measures, the Minister is introducing legislation to remove the Crop Diversification rule for 2020, meaning BPS customers can qualify for Greening payment by permanent pasture and Ecological Focus Area declarations only.

BPS customers will receive a notification when the new legislation takes effect.

Transfer of BPS Entitlements 2020

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

Glastir Small Grants: landscape and pollinators 2019

In response to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic the claim deadline will be extended until 30 September 2020. All claims must be submitted by this date. Any late claims will be rejected.
Cross Compliance regulations do not permit hedgerow restoration works (hedge coppicing/hedge laying) to be completed between 1 April and 31 August. Therefore, no Glastir Small Grants hedge coppicing and hedge laying works can be carried out between these dates.
All Main and Support Capital works items scheduled within your contract(s) must be completed and claimed by 30 September 2020. Claims must be submitted via RPW Online and include all ‘before’ and ‘after’ Geotagged photographs.

Glastir Woodland Restoration

The expression of interest window for Glastir Woodland Restoration is now open and will close on 24 April 2020.

Glastir Woodland Creation

The expression of interest window for Glastir Woodland Creation is now open and will close on 12 June 2020.
There have been a number of changes to the application process for Glastir Woodland Creation. Expressions of interest can only be submitted by a Registered Glastir Woodlands Planner. Expressions of interest selected to progress in the application process will be offered a contract. This is on the condition payment will only be made once a woodland creation plan, successfully verified by Natural Resources Wales, is approved by the Welsh Government. Successful applicants will also be required to select one of two claim years, 2021/2022 or 2022/2023, to request payment for establishing the trees and carrying out any fencing.

Farm Business Grant

The seventh expression of interest window for the Farm Business Grant (FBG) closes on 10 April 2020. 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. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, only farmers who registered to attend an event by 10am, 17 March or attended a previous event will be considered eligible to submit an expression of interest.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): TB testing in Wales

TB testing visits should only continue providing all involved can maintain adequate self-isolating and social distancing requirements

Your vet will be in touch prior to your scheduled test to ensure it is safe to attend your farm, if it is, then your test will continue as normal

If it is not safe to do so you will have no financial penalties to going overdue, but you will be subject to movement restrictions. However, you may still receive an automated letter explaining you are subject to penalties, so please disregard this

For further information please visit the frequently asked questions on the TB hub.

This will be subject to review on a weekly basis, this information was correct as of 01/04/2020

Co-design for a Sustainable Farming Scheme for Wales

Welsh Government, working with Menter a Busnes, has launched a co-design programme to work with farmers. The scheme will explore practical aspects of the proposals included in last year’s Sustainable Farming and our Land consultation.

Farming Connect

As a result of the uncertain situation regarding coronavirus, we have taken the decision to postpone all open events and one-to-many events until at least the end of May. We will explore the possibility of conducting some activities digitally or over the phone where possible. We will be posting the latest information on our social media pages in due course.

Coronovirus (COVID-19) news

• Simple steps to help your pharmacy help you
• Ministers announce new £1.4bn business support package
• First Minister launches Looking Out for Each Other campaign in Wales
• Tough new measures to slow the spread of coronavirus introduced
• Simple steps to help your GP Practice help you
• Further action to protect people at highest risk from coronavirus
• Volunteers – how to help, thank you, and stay safe
• Multi-million pound boost to support volunteers and Wales’ most vulnerable
• Education Minister asks ‘national heroes’ to keep schools open for NHS and carers during school holidays
• New £500 million Economic Resilience Fund launched for Wales
• Hundreds to be welcomed back to Wales’ health and social care workforce

Flood Relief Fund

We have formally launched a £2.5million Flood Relief Fund which is available to Welsh businesses to help them recover from damage and disruption caused by the recent storms - Ciara, Dennis and Jorge.

Early action recommended for common ragwort

The common ragwort growing season is upon us and young ragwort plants are forming low rosettes in fields and pastures. Even at this early stage of growth, ragwort can be toxic to animals, in particular horses and cattle.
Responsibility for the control of five injurious weeds named under the Weeds Act 1959, including Common ragwort, rests primarily with the occupier of the land on which the weeds are growing. The Act does not make it illegal to allow these weeds to grow on land. However, if there is a complaint about the spread of injurious weeds, statutory action may be taken requiring landowners to prevent the weeds spreading.
Guidance can be found in The Code of Practice to Prevent and Control the Spread of Ragwort by clicking the headline above.

FarmWell Wales – information and support directory

An initiative to help Welsh farmers with their business and personal resilience has been launched by the Wales Farm Support Group. More information can be found by clicking the headline above.

Wales Rural Network Support Unit (WRNSU)

The WRNSU aids the exchange of ideas between rural organisations. It is available to anyone:

• interested in rural development
• involved with the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and the schemes it funds.

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.

Preparing Wales website

Following the UK’s departure from the EU on 31 January we are now in a transition period; during this time, the way you do business with the EU will not change. However, you will need to prepare and make changes to continue to do business at the end of the transition period.

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:

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