Avian influenza (bird flu): latest update

Following a thorough risk assessment, additional precautionary measures have been put in place around the movement of caught up gamebirds in areas where bird flu is present. This will help reduce the risk of the disease spreading and maintain our strict biosecurity standards. 

Single Application Form (SAF) 2023

The online SAF will become available on Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online on 6 March 2023.

Cross Compliance – 2023

The vast majority of Cross Compliance rules continue to apply as in 2022. However, some factsheets have been updated for 2023 to reflect changes in requirements, good practice and to clarify wording.

Next phase of the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution)(Wales) Regulations 2021 from 1 January 2023

There are new requirements for farm businesses from 1 January 2023 including risk maps, storage of organic manure (other than slurry), temporary field sites, Import/Export of manure, nutrient management planning (NMP) and recording and nutrient applications restricted to crop limits.

Official Controls (Plant Protection Products) Regulations 2020 – Phase 2 Registrations

Businesses and other organisations who use plant protection products (e.g. herbicides) professionally, or have them applied by a third party, are legally required to register. Professional users who did not register by the June 2022 deadline, and Welsh businesses, must provide their details to us as soon as possible to comply with the legislation.

Rural support schemes

Information on all of the agricultural support schemes, including application window dates, scheme requirements and eligibility criteria.

Horticulture Development Scheme

A Capital grant scheme available to existing commercial horticultural producers across Wales. The scheme has been expanded to allow tree nurseries to be eligible for grant support. Queries on this scheme can be sent to Horticulture@gov.wales.

Small Grants – Environment (Hedgerow Creation)

The Small Grants – Environment (Hedgerow Creation) provides a financial contribution towards capital investments on individual parcels of land to create new hedgerows.

Woodland Creation Grant Schemes 

The second window for the Small Grants - Woodland Creation scheme and the Woodland Creation Grant opened on 13 February and will close on 24 March. A further two rounds are planned for later in the year.

Keeping dogs under control will protect lambs and other livestock

Dog owners are being reminded to keep their animals under control around sheep and other livestock.

Sixfold increase in farmland bird numbers on Welsh cover crop project sites

Welsh farms have significantly increased populations of farmland birds since growing seed-bearing cover crops and providing feeding stations containing supplementary seed.

Good AI protocols and calving records factor in improved dairy herd fertility

Good artificial insemination (AI) protocols are helping a Carmarthenshire dairy farm achieve a six week in-calf rate of more than 80%.

Have you found a dead badger

As part of the Welsh Government Bovine TB Eradication Programme a Contract was awarded to collect badger found dead carcases for post-mortem purposes. If you come across a dead badger, please note the location of the carcase and call 0808 169 5110.

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
• keep up to speed with future funding information

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.