The announcement by deputy minister for farming and food Rebecca Evans AM that, BPS part-payments of approximately eighty percent will only be made to around 50 percent of farmers by the end of this week, has been described as disappointing but expected by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.
The minister, who spoke at the Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) Royal Welsh Winter Fair breakfast, further said that the vast majority of remaining part-payments will be made as early as possible in the New Year. The balance, or final 20 percent, payment will be made to farmers next April, although a minority of payments - probate cases for example - will take longer.
The FUW acknowledged that warnings have been made in the press repeatedly since June that a delay was likely for many and that part payments would be made.
Farmers will remember the extremely complicated process of completing the Basic Payment Forms coupled with more EU regulations of the requirement of sketch maps – struggles that FUW members of staff have experienced first-hand when helping members fill out their BPS forms.
It has inevitably led to a delay in the processing of forms which is extremely frustrating. As such most of the blame for delays lies with the new European Regulations – not the Welsh Government who have to abide by those regulations.
“Farmers will obviously be extremely frustrated, especially those who have seen a very difficult year and need this cash injection to the farm business now more than ever,” said FUW president Glyn Roberts.
“Nobody wants to have to rely so heavily on these payments but most of the money arriving in the farm account through the BPS will be going straight out to secondary and tertiary businesses.
“That’s why the FUW is calling on the Welsh Government in its manifesto, which will be launched later today to instigate detailed research into Wales’ rural and wider economy and agriculture’s place within it.
“Hundreds of businesses are solely reliant on Welsh agriculture. Look at all the traders and business’s exhibiting at the Fair today. Any delay in the payment of the single farm payment will have a direct impact on these business’s and their employees,” added Glyn Roberts.
However, rather than calling the RPW helpline, which could delay the processing of payments even further, the FUW urges members to respond to any outstanding Welsh Government queries or issues as soon as possible.