The Farmers' Union of Wales today welcomed the news that 88 per cent of Welsh farmers will receive their single farm payments by December 1.
"We understand Welsh Assembly staff have worked long hours including weekends over recent months and we welcome their efforts to achieve such a high payments completion figure before Christmas," said FUW president Emyr Jones.
The figure was revealed by deputy agriculture minister Alun Davies at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.
Mr Davies also predicted over 90 per cent would receive their payments by the end of December.
"While praising the hard work of the Assembly staff I also want to praise the unstinting work put in by so many FUW staff in our county offices throughout Wales in assisting members to complete their single payment application forms," said Mr Jones.