Key Dates

Woodland restoration Scheme

• Opened 11 November
• Closes 28 February 2025

Small Grant Environment (Landscape and Pollinator)

• Opens 13 January 2025
• Closes 21 February 2025

Small Grants Efficiency

• Opens 3 March 2025
• Closes 11 April 2025

Other available schemes

• Habitat Wales Scheme 2025 available on SAF - Claim via the 2025 SAF form
• Organic Support 2025 available on SAF - Claim via the 2025 SAF form

Cross Compliance and Verifiable standards 2025

The annual review of Cross Compliance literature is complete and updated. Cross Compliance Factsheets and Verifiable Standards have been published on the Welsh Government website: gov.wales/cross-compliance-2025

Most Cross Compliance rules continue to apply as in 2024. Welsh Government have updated the following Factsheets and associated sections of the Verifiable Standards:

SMR 1: water protection

Factsheet and verifiable standards updated to confirm the Enhanced Nutrient Management approach is not available for 2025. There have also been changes to the breach severity classification for breaches A2, A9, B1, B3, B6, B7, B8 and C3

SMR 2: wild birds

Factsheet and verifiable standards updated to clarify requirements on:

• the killing of wild birds
• damage to their nests, and
• taking eggs

SMR 3: conservation of fauna and flora

Factsheet and verifiable standards updated to clarify definition of ‘nationally protected species’

SMR 4: food and feed law

Factsheet and verifiable standards updated to cover post movement TB testing requirements

SMR 7: cattle identification and registration

Factsheet and verifiable standards updated to remove requirement for export tag

SMR 8: sheep and goat identification and registration

Factsheet and verifiable standards updated to remove requirement for export tag 

SMR 11: welfare standards for calves

Factsheet and verifiable standards updated to clarify requirements on pens

SMR 12: welfare standards for pigs

Factsheet and verifiable standards updated to clarify requirements on access to:

• manipulable material, and
• fresh drinking water.

SMR 13: welfare standards for farmed animals

Factsheet and verifiable standards updated to clarify requirements concerning:

• mutilations and permitted procedures
• mortality records, and
• protection from adverse weather and predator.

Control Of Agricultural Pollution Regulations Guidance

Detailed guidance, together with a digital workbook to help you meet record keeping requirements are available on the Welsh Government website.

The Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations Helpline - 01974 847000 - is a dedicated technical helpline operated by ADAS on behalf of Welsh Government, to support farmers through the introduction of the regulations on an individual farm basis. Farming Connect has a range of resources and information available. Further details can be found at businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/ or by telephoning the Service Centre on 03456 000 813.

Sustainable Farming Scheme: Proposes Scheme Outline 2024

You will be aware that an updated Scheme Outline has been published in November 2024. This document sets out the SFS interim position. There is more work to be done and it is important that all businesses in Wales keep up with the progress in the coming months. Full details can be found on the Welsh Government website.

EID Cymru

Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory 1 December 2024

You will have by now submitted your 2024 Inventory.

Are you aware that having an EID Cymru registered account can help you check that your sheep records are up to date?

Checking sheep movements etc on an EID Cymru registered account can help you should you be subject to a flock inspection. If you haven’t managed to register for an EID Cymru account a member of the Farm Liaison Service team or EID Cymru staff are able to provide guidance, assistance and take you through the process, so get in touch.

The Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (Wales) Order 2024 (BVD)

The Wales Veterinary Science Centre (WVSC) has established a free-of-charge, unfunded, BVD helpline to take queries from farmers and vets as we navigate through all the permutations relating to the new rules. The helpline can be reached by telephoning 01970 612374

BVDCymru system now live

The BVDCymru system went live on 2 December 2024. The team is dealing with a backlog of tests carried out between 1 July and November 2024. Vets and keepers will not receive notifications from these results. But they will be able to view them on the system. Vets and keepers will receive notifications from tests carried out from December 2024.