Over 91 percent of Welsh farmers’ Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2017 claims will be paid on Friday (1st December), the Welsh government has announced.
Over £201m will be paid into the bank accounts of 14,111 Welsh farm businesses on the first day on which payments may be made under European rules.
The announcement has been made on the opening day of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair (27 November). Wales' Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths has called on the agriculture industry to focus on turning the challenges of Brexit into opportunities.
“We will work with our farmers to help them meet the challenges of Brexit,” Lesley Griffiths said.
On the record payment of Basic Payment Scheme claims, Ms Griffiths added: “This is yet another example of the success of our uniquely Welsh approach and our exemplary record on payments. It is a tribute to the way Welsh farmers have embraced new technology, RPW Online and made the new system such a success.”
Stephen James, NFU Cymru President said: “Today’s announcement that over 91% of claims will be paid on the first day of the payment window, together with an improved exchange rate, up 4.98% on the 2016 rate, is good news and will be a boost not just to farm businesses but also to the thousands of rural businesses that rely heavily on farmers for much of their income.
“The positive impact of this support has been quantified within the Contributions of UK Agriculture report that was launched at the NFU Conference in February this year, which shows that for every £1 invested in farm support in the UK, farming delivers around £7.40 back to the economy.”
'Versatility of land'
In a keynote speech at the Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotional Board) breakfast, the Cabinet Secretary also talked about a number of initiatives the Welsh Government has in place to provide support to farmers as the UK leaves the EU.
A new land capability mapping system for Wales will be launched by the Cabinet Secretary at this year’s Winter Fair – the first major update since the original maps were produced in the early 1970’s.
The Predictive Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) Map allows land users, planners and Government to make choices about how agricultural land is used in Wales.
Ms Griffiths explained: “It identifies the potential versatility of land to support a range of cropping choices and allows land users, planners and Government to make informed choices on how land is used.”
'Significant and lasting'
On Brexit, Ms Griffiths said leaving the EU will bring "significant and lasting" change. She said a ‘no deal’ scenario presents acute risks for those sectors particularly reliant on exports to the EU including lamb.
“Leaving the Common Agricultural Policy and new, yet to be established, trading arrangements mean that maintaining the status quo is simply not an option. Turning challenges into opportunities is where the industry and individual farm businesses need to be focusing their attention,” she said.
“Brexit will provide a once in a generation opportunity to redesign our policy framework in a way that is uniquely Welsh, that reflects Welsh needs and strengths.
“We all have a role to play shaping how the industry will look after Brexit and we need farmers to be bold, imaginative; open to new ideas and practices.
“My priority is to ensure our agricultural industry is in the best possible position to deal with the change ahead. As a government we are committed to providing solutions which work for Wales and we will continue to work with the industry, our partners and others to make the most of every opportunity.”
