Lesley Griffiths has announced that £158m of payments will be distributed to 15,600 farms across Wales today as the advance payments of the Basic Payment Scheme for 2023 begin. Around 96% of those who claim from the scheme will receive a basic payment of about 70% of the estimated value of their full allowance. This is the first time that Rural Payments Wales have made the payments during the payment period.
The payment window opens today and continues until 15 December 2023. Every business that does not receive a payment today, but has their claim verified before 15 December 2023 will receive the advance payment. The rest of the payments will be made after 15 December, after they have been verified, with every payment expected to be completed by the end of the payment period on 30 June 2024.
Lesley Griffiths, Rural Affairs Minister for the Welsh Government said:
‘I am pleased we can provide BPS advance payments to thousands of farms across Wales. Changes we have made also means more farm businesses will benefit from an advance payment during the payment window. RPW will be working hard to ensure full and remaining balance payments are made as early as possible from 15 December.’
The announcement has been welcomed by farmers including NFU Cymru. In a statement published on 11 October 2023 Aled Jones, President of the union said:
‘I warmly welcome the announcement from the Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths MS, that 70% of BPS advance payments will be made to the vast majority of farmers in Wales tomorrow. This support will be a major boost for the cash flow of more than 15,600 Welsh farmers, along with the allied industries who rely on farmers for so much of their income.’
‘I would like to recognise the work of the staff at RPW for ensuring that this support can be delivered tomorrow and to all those who support farming businesses with the completion of the Single Application Form by the May deadline date.’
‘With Welsh farmers having been exposed to very significant inflationary pressures – the level of ‘agri-inflation’ is running around 40% higher in 2023 compared to 2020 – this news is welcomed, particularly when output prices have not kept pace with input prices, thus putting producer margins under pressure.’
You can read Aled Jones’ full statement on NFU Cymru’s website.
