As the Pembrokeshire Show gets underway, the Cabinet Secretary
for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, , has announced a new £6m
Sustainable Production Grant (SPG) will open in September aimed
at addressing on-farm nutrient management and storage.
The fourth window of the SPG will give farmers the opportunity to
take the lead in tackling agri-pollution to improve water, soil
and air quality.
Grants will range from £12,000 to £50,000 as a maximum 40%
contribution to project costs. The items supported will include,
amongst other things, covered slurry storage and management
equipment.
The SPG will only provide support where the investment exceeds
compliance with slurry storage regulations, achieving a minimum
storage capacity of 160 days and 190 days for pig and poultry,
regardless of any existing on-farm storage.
The next round of the Sustainable Production Grant is planned to
open on 3 September and closes 26 October. Contracts are due to
start January 2019 and be claimed by August 2021.
Speaking ahead of the Pembrokeshire Show, the Cabinet Secretary
said: “The impacts of on-farm pollution affecting water quality
and wildlife have increased recently, often due to poor slurry
storage and dirty water handling facilities.
“The level of interest we have had in each Sustainable Production
Grant round has demonstrated farmers are willing to invest in
their farm businesses to become more sustainable, prosperous and
resilient.
“Our next round of the SPG will focus on supporting farmers to
deliver our objectives of enhanced nutrient management,
safeguarding and improving water, soil and air quality by
reducing pollution. The investment will support farmers to
address these important issues and ensure current and future
generations continue to benefit from our natural resources.”
The Cabinet Secretary will attend the first day of the
Pembrokeshire Show, undertaking a range of events and meetings
and wants to hear the views of farmers, Unions and partners about
the Welsh Government’s recently launched proposals on future
support for farmers in Wales after Brexit.
At the start of July, the Cabinet Secretary launched a 16 week
consultation Brexit and our Land, which proposes a new Land
Management programme to replace the Common Agricultural Policy in
Wales once the UK leaves the EU.
The new Land Management Programme will consist of two large and
flexible schemes – the Economic Resilience Scheme and the Public
Goods Scheme.
Welsh Government officials will hold drop in sessions at the
Welsh Government trailer providing an opportunity for farmers and
the public to come along to find out more about the consultation
and give their views.
The Cabinet Secretary added: “Brexit brings with it significant
challenges and opportunities. I have been clearmaintaining the
status quo is not an option and the Basic Payment Scheme will
come to an end in Wales once the UK leaves the EU.
“We are currently consulting on our proposals for a new
‘made-in-Wales’ Land Management Programme which aims to keep
farmers farming and ensure they thrive in a post Brexit world.
This is 16 week, meaningful consultation which will help inform
our plans.
“This year’s Pembrokeshire Show will be the last before we leave
the EU. My message is simple – there has never been a more
important time to get involved and help us shape the future of
farming in Wales. I look forward to visiting the Show and hearing
as many views as possible on our proposals.”
Notes
Further information on the consultation on ‘Brexit and our Land’
can be found at: www.gov.wales/consultations
The consultation is open until 30 October.
