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The scheme offers a 40% contribution towards capital investments in specific types of equipment and machinery[/caption]
The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the launch of a Farm Business Grant set to deliver £40 million over the next four years.
The scheme will allow farm businesses to invest in key equipment relating to cattle, sheep and pig management as well as general equipment relating to crop management, energy and resource efficiency, and Information and Communication Technology.
FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The FUW long emphasised the importance of making best use of rural development funding through direct funding of technology which meets economic and environmental objectives, and this announcement is therefore welcome.”
The scheme offers a 40% contribution towards capital investments in specific types of equipment and machinery, with grants worth between £3,000 and £12,000.
Three application windows lasting two months are planned, with the first due to open in May 2017, followed by one in August 2017 and the third in February 2018.
“The equipment for which grants are available is limited to a set list of items, each of which has had to be approved by the European Commission, and as with all such schemes there are a number of eligibility requirements which some will find frustrating.
“Nevertheless, the progress which has been made in terms of getting to the point of launching this scheme is welcome,” added Mr Roberts.
Only one application will be approved per business throughout the lifetime of the Scheme.
Further information on the application criteria and guidance notes will be published by Welsh Government shortly and can be accessed on the Welsh Government website.