BPS 2024 payments

This year, an Advance payment, worth up to 70% of the estimated BPS 2024 claim value, will be made from 14 October 2024, subject to claim eligibility and receipt of all necessary supporting documents. Balance payments will start from 12 December 2024.

Transfer of BPS Entitlements 2025

The 2025 transfer window of BPS entitlements will open on 02 September 2024. Transfer of Entitlements forms will be available via your RPW Online account. Entitlement values displayed on your RPW Online account may be subject to annual changes to take account of the value of unclaimed entitlements and unallocated National Reserve budget in 2025. Any increase applied to the entitlement value in 2025 will only apply in 2025. Customers must submit the Transfer of Entitlements form before midnight on 15 May 2025 for the entitlements to be available to claim on BPS 2025.

Cross Compliance 2024 

SMR 1 – Water Protection, has been updated to reflect requirements applying to all land from 1 August 2024 under the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021. These changes include requirements to comply with closed periods for spreading organic manures with high readily available nitrogen (includes slurry and poultry manure) and ensure sufficient storage capacity for manure during the storage period. All claimants should have received notification of the changes via their RPW Online account.

County Parish Holdings and Livestock Movements – Seasonal Grazing

The seasonal grazing period is fast approaching and in readiness for this, we want to take this opportunity to remind both landowners and stockowners of their responsibilities for grazing stock.

Integrated Natural Resources Scheme (INRS) – Development Grant

The Integrated Natural Resources Scheme is a collaborative scheme enabling farmers, foresters, land managers and others to work together at a landscape, catchment, or Pan Wales level. INRS is a transitional scheme designed to help participants develop new ways of working on their journey to the Sustainable Farming Scheme. The INRS application window is now open and closes at midnight 27 September 2024. Any applications made after this deadline will not be accepted.

Rural Development Schemes Key Dates

Application dates for all agricultural support schemes. Details of all guidance documents for the Agricultural Support Schemes can be found under rural grants and payments shortly before the application window becomes available.

Sustainable Farming Scheme progress made at Royal Welsh Show

Management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest will be included in the Universal Baseline Payment for the Sustainable Farming Scheme, Cabinet Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies has confirmed.

New TB Board established for Wales

A new Bovine TB Eradication Programme Board has been established for Wales and is the latest development in reaching the shared goal of a a TB-free Wales.

Bluetongue Virus Confirmed in Norfolk 

Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been confirmed in a ram in Norfolk. This is the first confirmed case of the disease in Great Britain during the 2024 vector season. The Animal & Plant Health Agency is undertaking surveillance within the Norfolk/Suffolk zone area to better understand the disease situation. Livestock keepers are strongly advised to talk with their vet if considering moving susceptible animals from the east/southeast of England to Wales. If you keep livestock, you should remain vigilant, and report any suspicion of bluetongue disease in your animals.

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)

PPR also known as sheep and goat plague, is a highly contagious, notifiable viral disease. In July, the first outbreaks in Europe for many years were reported. To protect our animals, imports into GB of live sheep and goats, as well as products of animal origin have been restricted from both countries. This demonstrates the continuing risks to our livestock from exotic diseases, and the need to maintain high standards of biosecurity - both at national and farm level.

Important Changes for Sheep and Goat Keepers

The Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory is a legal requirement to record the total number of sheep and/or goats you own. From December 2024 the way in which the inventory is run in Wales will be changing. To bring the annual inventory in line with all other UK nations, the date of the inventory in Wales will now be 1 December. The usual hard-copy annual inventory will no longer be issued, and the way to submit your inventory will be via your EIDCymru online account. 

APHA: Poultry and Other Captive Birds Compulsory Registration

From 1 October 2024 it will become a legal requirement for bird keepers in Wales and England to register for a County Parish Holding (CPH) number and register as a bird/poultry keeper on the GB Poultry Register. This is with the exception of birds that are kept as pets and live solely indoors without any outside access. Last month we advised bird keepers that do not hold a CPH number to complete the registration process by contacting RPW. Since then, there has been a change in process and all bird keepers are to register with APHA.

RPW Online - GOV.UK One Login

To modernise our RPW Online service and enable new features in the future, we are moving away from the Government Gateway. Rural Payments Wales (RPW) is currently developing a new system for customers to access RPW Online using GOV.UK One Login. As all individuals using RPW Online will need their own login information, please ensure in advance all individual details are up to date and correct on your RPW Online account Individual Details tab.

Closed-Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (Wales) Regulations 2024: guidance for operators

From 1 June 2024, all slaughterhouses must install and operate a CCTV system, ensuring a complete and clear view of all areas where there are live animals. We have developed guidance to help slaughterhouse operators comply with the requirements.

Our Farms Farm Walks September 2024

Join Farming Connect for a unique series of farm walks across the Our Farms Network this September. These walks offer a chance to see the latest innovations in action and delve into the results of on-farm trials firsthand.

Farming Connect advice workshop a first step in farm’s flock transition

Farming Connect’s Welsh Sheep Genetics Project (WSGP) is helping to facilitate major change in a large-scale sheep flock.

The Rhug Estate near Corwen had been running a flying flock of 3,750 North of England-type mules but is now transitioning to a closed flock of Welsh ewes.

Find us on Facebook!

Keep up-to-date on farming, fishing, food and drink and animal health and welfare in Wales by following our bilingual Facebook channel: Cymru Wledig! We’re also on X – search for @WGRural and give us a follow!

Rural Affairs Wales

The Wales Rural Network has rebranded with the launch of a new website and name! Rural Affairs Wales, part of Welsh Government's Rural Affairs Division, encourages and promotes rural development through the sharing of information, news, ideas and good practice. We work with, and for, anyone who lives, works or is interested in Rural Wales.

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.