The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed today’s (Monday, November 27) announcement by Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths that over 91% of Basic Payments will be made on the first day of the payment window (Friday,December 1), meaning that over £201 million will be paid into the bank accounts of 14,111 Welsh farm businesses.
Speaking at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The Welsh Government has hit a high payment target and we are grateful to all the staff who have worked hard to ensure money can be released on the first day of the payment window. However, there are still 9% of farms who will not receive their payment and we hope that rapid progress can be made in processing these.
“Most of the money arriving in the farm account through the BPS will be going straight out to secondary and tertiary businesses. Hundreds of businesses are solely reliant on Welsh agriculture. Look at all the traders and businesses exhibiting at the Fair today. Any delay in the payment of the Basic Payment would have a direct impact on these businesses and their employees.
“We have been working closely with Welsh Government to achieve this result for our farmers here in Wales and are looking forward to continue in our close working relationship in the future. The co-operation between all industry stakeholders and Welsh Government illustrates that we can achieve great things for Welsh farming if we work collaboratively.”