The ability to pay an advance payment was subject to a Welsh Government consultation on proposals to simplify agricultural support last year, a move supported by NFU Cymru and builds upon the ‘loan’ facility that Welsh Government made available to farmers in the years 2018 – 2020.
NFU Cymru President John Davies said:
“I welcome the announcement from the Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths MS that 70% BPS advance payments will be made to the vast majority of farmers in Wales tomorrow. This support will be a major boost for cash flow not just for farmers, but all the allied industries who rely on farmers for so much of their income.
“I would like to pay credit to the staff at Rural Payments Wales for ensuring that this support can be delivered tomorrow and to all those who support farming businesses with the completion of the Single Application Form by the May deadline date.
“Today’s news is most welcome, particularly given the increasing issues that we are seeing in the agri–food supply chain as a result of trade disruption with both the EU and Northern Ireland, the shortage of labour and rising costs on farm for vital products such as feed, fuel and fertiliser.
“It also follows on the back of the positive news from our Minister last month confirming the continuation of the BPS for the next two years, subject to the necessary funding being provided by the UK Government.
“Direct support to farming continues to be critical to underpin high quality food production and to ensure that the industry continues to deliver the multiple economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits that farming families provide to Welsh society.
“This support is arguably more important than ever to secure high quality food production for our nation, given the macro-economic issues now being faced that include disruption as a result of our departure from the EU, the UK Government’s international trade policy, the continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the energy crisis facing the nation.
“Whilst I am extremely pleased to see this injection of funding into Welsh farming it is important to note that a small percentage of farmers will not receive an advance payment tomorrow. I hope that Rural Payments Wales will ensure that all efforts are now made to prioritise that these farming businesses receive their BPS payment when the next window for payments opens on the 15th December.”