Agricultural Policy News

Agricultural Policy

Bangor University Survey: Barriers and Opportunities to achieving Net Zero on UK Beef and Sheep Farms

Agricultural Policy

PhD student Louise McNichol is investigating strategies to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions on beef and sheep farms (funded by the Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship (KESS 2) programme and Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales).

As part of the research at Bangor University she is conducting a survey to gain a better understanding of farmers’ attitudes towards the Net Zero target and identifying both opportunities and barriers to achieving the target. The survey is open to all beef and sheep farmers in the UK, and the questions are centred around farm management, carbon footprinting, and the uptake of greenhouse gas mitigation measures.

The survey is online and most of the questions are simple “checkbox" questions which should take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. To take part in the survey please visit https://bangor.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/net-zero-beef-and-sheep

Access Broadband Cymru grant scheme

Agricultural Policy

The Welsh Government scheme offers grants to fund or part-fund new broadband installations in Wales to homes and businesses. The scheme offers funding for installations only and does not fund any monthly rental costs.

New connections through this scheme must deliver a significant change in speed. The new connection must at least double the current download speeds.

The amount of funding you can receive depends on the speed of the new connection:

PGI Welsh Lamb promoted in Japan

Agricultural Policy

For the first time since 2019 the Hitsuji Festival in Japan which celebrates all things lamb was held in Tokyo. The festival brought together suppliers and restaurants from America, Australia, Iceland, New Zealand and Japan.

The event was attended by Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) to promote PGI Welsh Lamb as part of their post-Brexit trade strategy to open new doors in the global marketplace.

Expression of interest window dates January 2023

Agricultural Policy

CLICK here to view this month's Expression of interest window dates

FUW Council raises concerns over cuts to rural affairs budget and Rural Development Programme spend

Agricultural Policy

Major concerns have been raised at a meeting of the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ Grand Council about cuts to the Welsh Government’s Rural Affairs budget and potential further losses if Rural Development Programme funds are not spent.

The Welsh Government published its latest draft budget for the 2023-24 financial year on 13 December, showing significant differences in budget amounts and allocations since the indicative budget was published in March.

While the UK Government’s Autumn Statement resulted in a further £666 million in funding for the Welsh Government in 2023-24, the Welsh Government proposes cutting its rural affairs budget by nearly nine million pounds.