Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) Transfer of Entitlements Guidance

The transfer notification facility for 2022 will be available from 2 August 2021 and the Welsh Government must be notified by 15 May 2022 in order for the recipient to make a claim on entitlements they are receiving for the 2022 scheme year.

Increase in BPS Entitlement values

Following the removal of the Greening requirement for BPS from 2021 onwards, the Greening budget has been moved into the BPS entitlement budget. Entitlement values have been increased to take account of the change in budget. 

The change in entitlement values are now viewable on your RPW Online account.

Agriculture Bill

Following our White Paper last year, we will introduce an agriculture Bill in the first year of this Senedd to create a new system of farm support that will maximise the protective power of nature through farming. This will reward farmers who take action to respond to the climate and nature emergencies, supporting them to produce food in a sustainable way.

We will replace the time-limited powers in the UK Agriculture Act 2020, which we took to provide continuity and much-needed stability for our farmers as we left the EU. The Bill represents the first stage of our programme of agricultural reform, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and farmers on our long-term proposals.

Exporting equines?

If you export equines, you need to register your holding with a County Parish Holding (CPH) number. You can register for a CPH by signing in to Manage My CPH on RPW Online.  If you are not already an existing RPW Online customer you can register by following these guides RPW Online: how to register or call the customer contact centre on 0300 062 5004. If you have any queries please email: EquineIDceffylau@gov.wales

Bovine TB: Badger Trapping and Testing on chronic TB breakdown farms 2020

The report on the delivery of badger trap and test operations on chronic TB breakdown farms in Wales in 2020 has now been published.

African swine fever disease contingency plans tested through UK-wide exercise

A UK-wide exercise that simulates an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) has taken place to test government contingency plans to contain and eliminate the disease in the event that it reached the UK.

Dwr Cymru – Welsh Water relaunches its free pesticide disposal scheme 

Following its success in 2019 and 2020 Dwr Cymru Welsh Water have relaunched their Free Pesticide Disposal Scheme in 2021. This scheme is part of the PestSmart project and offers farmers, growers, gamekeepers, foresters, and other land managers the opportunity to safely disposal of any unwanted, out of date or unlicensed pesticides and herbicides for free. Registration closes 23 August 2021.

National Forest for Wales: stakeholder toolkit

We are encouraging all our stakeholders to join the conversation as we launch The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) as part of the National Forest for Wales Programme – a connected network of forests which will span the length of Wales.

New plan to help see more Welsh food and drink products on retailers’ shelves

The Food and Drink Wales Retail Plan has been developed alongside an industry expert group and aims to see the turnover value for the food and drink industry in Wales grow proportionally more than the UK as a whole.

FCTV – the new half-hour farming programme that you won’t want to miss!

Tune into YouTube and search 'FCTV’ and find out how some of the most progressive Welsh farmers, including those from the Farming Connect demonstration sites, are preparing for the future - a future where farming efficiently, sustainably and profitably are the key drivers for change.

Dairy farmer weighs up cost benefits of robot milking in a large-scale herd

A Farming Connect initiative is helping a young Welsh farmer inform decision making on upgrading milking facilities at his family’s dairy farm.

UK wide study visits resume for farmers in Wales since the beginning of the pandemic

As COVID-19 restrictions came into force early last year, Farming Connect’s Study Visits, like many other activities across the country, came to a stop. This July, the application process resumes.

Asulox – Emergency Authorisation for use in 2021

To allow the aerial and ground-based application of Asulox to control bracken in 2021 an Emergency Authorisation for products containing the active substance, Asulam, has been approved. The Emergency Authorisation has restrictions and conditions associated with it. Ground-based application is restricted to conservation areas only, and the use in these areas must be under the direction of the relevant conservation body. If you require further information on any aspect of pesticide use or regulation, you can visit the Chemicals Regulation Division website.

Regulating Coal Tip Safety in Wales

The Law Commission of England and Wales has launched a consultation on a proposed new coal tip safety regime in Wales. The consultation is part of a review of disused coal tip safety legislation, commissioned by the Welsh Government, who are committed to introducing new legislation to provide a fit-for purpose regulatory regime for the more than 2,000 disused coal tips in Wales. The majority of these tips are located on private land, including farmland. The consultation seeks views on proposals, which will help develop this new statutory regime.

The consultation is open until 10 September 2021. 

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.

Farm Liaison Service

Confidential, one-to-one guidance and support. If you need to discuss any issues contact one of the Farm Liaison Service staff.