As of today, 94% of farmers have received their full or
balance Basic Payment Scheme 2024 payment.
Over 15,300 Welsh farm businesses have received payments worth
£66.88m, in addition to £160.52m paid as BPS advance payments
since 14 October meaning that payments totalling £227.40m have
now been made.
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Rural
Affairs, announced in May that the Basic Payment Scheme
(BPS) will continue for 2025 as part of the SFS Preparatory
Phase.
Following the publication of the Welsh Government's Draft Budget
for 2025 – 2026 this week, the Deputy First Minister has also
confirmed today a total budget of £238 million to provide direct
payments to farmers in 2025 at the same level provided in 2024.
BPS 2025 is expected to be the final year of full BPS payments,
with those farmers choosing to remain in BPS receiving a reduced
payment per year during the SFS transition period starting in
2026.
The Deputy First Minister, said: “We are committed to continued
financial support for farmers as they are at the heart of
communities right across Wales, and they play a crucial role in
our economy and food production. As stewards of our land, they
play a key role in protecting and restoring nature and tackling
the climate emergency.
“We live in uncertain and challenging times; however, you can be
certain about this government's steadfast commitment to
supporting Welsh farmers to sustainably produce quality food,
demonstrated today in the maintenance of the BPS budget, despite
considerable financial pressures on other areas.
“I recently published an updated SFS Outline demonstrating the
significant changes we have made to the proposed Scheme thanks to
consultation feedback from the industry and an intensive period
of work with the Ministerial Roundtable and other stakeholders.
The changes address the needs of Welsh farmers, while supporting
the ongoing sustainable production of food, as well as climate
change and nature commitments. We will continue to listen to, and
work with stakeholders as we progress the extra detail needed
before we make any final decisions on the SFS next
year.
“We will continue to support the sector in a managed transition
away from BPS from next year onwards.”
Several SFS preparatory schemes have also previously been
announced, including Habitat Wales Scheme, Habitat Wales Commons,
Organic Support Payment, Farming Connect, a new Integrated
Natural Resources Scheme. New application windows have or will
shortly open for our successful Growing for the Environment,
Small Grants Environment, Small Grants Efficiency, Small Grants
Horticulture Start up and the newly merged Agriculture
Diversification and Horticulture Scheme, with more to come in the
New Year.
In addition, the first ever Multi-Annual Support
Plan (“MASP”) was published today as required by the Agriculture (Wales) Act
2023. This is the first of many reporting requirements which
will be publishing under the Act.
The MASP sets out the Welsh Government's plan and suite of
activity for future support, providing the agricultural sector
with assurance and transparency and enabling the sector and its
businesses to plan in five yearly cycles.
The plan describes each scheme that is intended to be in
operation or expected to become operational during this period
and provides a description of the support each scheme will
provide.
