Published: 04/12/2024
Sustainable Farming SchemeThe amended proposed scheme outline was announced on 25th November 2024. This is not the final scheme, and no payment rates have been released. The final scheme will be published in Summer 2025, ahead of the Scheme starting on 1 January 2026. The key changes from the consultations are as follows:
• Removing the Scheme Rule to have 10% tree cover. This has been replaced with a new Universal Action for a tree planting and hedgerow creation opportunity plan. This will support tree planting and hedgerow creation through Optional Actions and will encourage planting on a scheme-wide scale, without a mandatory farm-level percentage target for tree cover
• Three Animal Health, Welfare and Biosecurity actions have merged into a single simplified Action to focus discussions with the farm vet on improved animal health and welfare outcomes
• There will be a Universal Layer on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), to reflect the role in managing these important sites
• Including grazing rights on common land within the Universal Baseline Payment
• A reduction of the overall number of Universal Actions – from 17 to 12
• An extension to Farming Connect to Spring 2026
Data Confirmation
A Data Confirmation exercise is open until 16 December 2024. The aim is to allow you to update RPW mapping systems to confirm habitat areas and tree canopy cover at field and farm level in preparation for the Scheme and for reference under the 2025 Habitat Wales Scheme. A further exercise will run in 2026 to confirm any additional features required as part of the final Scheme.
Small Grant Schemes
Small Grant- Environment
OPENS- 13th January 2025
CLOSES- 21st February 2025
The Small Grants Environment is a standalone scheme providing a maximum of £7,500 funding per window for Capital Works Projects. Set lists of Capital Works are available to support the delivery of beneficial environmental outcomes under the following four themes:
• Carbon
• Water
• Landscape and pollinators
• Hedgerow creation
Small Grant - Efficiency
OPENS-3rd March 2025
CLOSES-11th April 2025
The Small Grants Efficiency scheme is a capital scheme designed to help farmers in Wales to improve the technical, financial and environmental performance of their farm businesses such as investment in equipment and technology.
The maximum grant award is £15,000 and the minimum is £1,000.
The grant provides a maximum 40% contribution towards capital investments in equipment and machinery (excluding VAT).
Small Grant - Horticultural Start Up
OPENS- Currently open
CLOSES-10th January 2025
The Small Grants Horticulture Start Up Scheme is designed to support entry into the horticulture sector in Wales by encouraging the establishment of new commercial horticulture enterprises, either as a diversification within an existing agricultural business, or as stand-alone new enterprises.
The grant available for each applicant is £3,000.
* Please don’t hesitate to reach out if David James can provide any assistance with remapping or grant eligibly and submitting successful applications. *
Monmouth Rural - 01600 712916 Magor Rural - 01633 880220