Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) Transfer of Entitlements guidance

The transfer notification facility for 2022  is now available on your RPW Online account. We 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. This will create a new system of farm support maximising the protective power of nature through farming. It will reward farmers who take action to respond to the climate and nature emergencies. They will be supported 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. We will continue to work closely with stakeholders and farmers on our long-term proposals.

The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG)

The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) is part of the National Forest for Wales programme. It will provide financial support for people to:

• create new woodlands
• make improvements to existing woodlands

which meet the standards of the National Forest. The grant can be coupled with other forms of funding. This will create high quality, multi-purpose woodlands. The window for application opened on 14 July and runs until 27 August.

Maximising the value of Welsh fleeces proves lucrative sideline for ‘crafty’ sheep farmer

Gillian Williams has an impeccable pedigree when it comes to her knowledge of sheep. Making money from them comes naturally to this Falklands-born sheep farmer now living at the family farm near Tywyn. But when it came to applying all that experience to Wales, Gillian felt she still had more to learn. She credits Farming Connect’s Agrisgôp programme with introducing her to new ideas.

St David Awards 2022

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!

This year, we have introduced a new category – the St David Award for Environmental Champion. Nominations for the 2022 Awards close on 21 October.

Regulating coal tip safety in Wales

The closing date for responses to The Law Commission’s consultation on a proposed new coal tip safety regime in Wales is Friday September 10. The consultation seeks views on proposals that will help develop a new statutory regime for the more than 2,000 disused coal tips in Wales. The majority of these tips are located on private land, including farmland.

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.