Wales Rural Network Support Unit New Year

As we begin another busy year, here at the Support Unit we would like to wish all our subscribers a very Happy New Year.

We head into the New Year with the first virtual event taking place on 19 January - 

Optimising Wales’s Food and Natural Harvest Supply Chains Virtual Workshop

If you are involved in Food and/or Natural Harvest Supply Chains register here to attend.

Glastir Woodland Creation 10 – Capital

Expression of Interest window now open and will close on 15 January

This scheme supports the commitment of woodland expansion set out in the Welsh Government’s woodland strategy, Woodland for Wales. 

Glastir Small Grants Carbon

Expression of Interest window opens 11 January and will close on 19 February

Glastir Small Grants is a programme of capital works available to farming businesses across Wales to carry out projects that will help to lock up carbon. 

Co-operation and Supply Chain Development scheme: (Food - Covid recovery plan)

Expression of Interest Window now open until 11 February 2021

This EOI Window offers support to:

• the food and drinks sector in Wales during the Covid-19 recovery phase
• under-represented industries aiming to utlilise the natural harvest

Co-operation and Supply Chain Development Scheme – Pilot Action for Green Growth and Circular Economy

Expression of Interest Window now open until 11 February 2021

To continue to support the re-purposing of community cohesion activities through fostering innovation, pilot activities, optimising digitalisation.

Rural Business Investment Scheme (Non Agri)

Expression of Interest Window opens 18 February and closes 22 March 2021

Creation and development of non-agricultural micro and small enterprises.

Rural Business Investment Scheme (Food)

Expression of Interest Window opens 18  February and closes 22 March 2021

All projects supported through the RBISF must make a contribution to the overarching Food Strategy Action Plan - Towards Sustainable Growth: An Action Plan for the Food and Drink Industry 2014 – 2020

Sustainable Production Grant (NM)

Expression of Interest Window opens 01 February and closes 12 March 2021

Financial support to improve the economic and environmental performance of their holdings.

Guidance

For support and advice, visit:

• Preparing Wales
• Business Wales
• EU Transition Portal
• Farming Connect

Information and tools are also available from Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales) and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

The Food Standards Agency also has guidance for businesses dealing in food or animal feed.

Read more advice from HMRC on action you can take now to prepare your business.

Further information on future trading with the EU is available on the GOV.UK website.

Guidance on live animals and animal products

Read the latest guidance on exporting or moving live animals and animal products to the EU or Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021.

Information on moving live animals or animal products as part of EU trade.

Find out how to apply for an Export Health Certificate.

Changes in marketing standards for hatching eggs and chicks from 1 January 2021.

Advice on exporting food for animals.

Rules for exporting horses and ponies.

Read our latest guidance on preparing for commercial fishers, merchants, and exporters.

Webinars

Defra trader readiness webinars are now available to watch online:

• Export Health Certificates
• Exporting Products of Animal Origin (POAO) from Great Britain to the European Union
• Exporting Fish and Fishery Products for Human Consumption from Great Britain to the European Union

Improvements to animal welfare in transport

A consultation has been launched in England and Wales, seeking views on ending the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening where the journeys begin or transit through either country (deadline: 28 January 2021).

Agriculture (Wales) Bill

We are consulting on the legislative framework to support Welsh agriculture and are seeking views on our proposals for:

• future support for agriculture
  regulatory reform
• future support for industry and the supply chain
• forestry and woodland management
• improving animal health and welfare
• improving monitoring through the effective use of data and remote technology

(deadline:26 March 2021).

LEADER Co-operation Projects

Approximately 3 LEADER cooperation projects are currently featured on the ENRD database and seek partners to cooperate with.
Visit ENRD & CLLD Partner Search tool for ideas.
If you are already involved in a Co-operation project, remember to upload details to the WRN project database.