Supporting-Welsh-Farmers

Welcome to FarmWell Wales, a one stop resource to help you and your farm business stay strong and resilient

FarmWell Wales is an initiative launched by the Wales Farm Support Group in 2020.

The Wales Farm Support Group includes:

Updates available from GWLAD

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Farming Connect to launch new benchmarking tool for farmers

An interactive benchmarking tool that enables farmers to measure farm-specific key performance indicators (KPIs) and to compare their own financial and technical results with similar farms is being rolled out by Farming Connect.

Action Required to re-register with Farming Connect and move to GOV.UK One Login

Farmers and businesses are required to re-register to continue accessing Farming Connect services. As part of the national transition away from the Government Gateway, all users will need to move to GOV.UK One Login.

Spring Update

agriculture-spring-update-2026 Download

Single Application Form (SAF) 2026

The online SAF is now available on Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online and the deadline for submitting your SAF is midnight 15 May 2026, or by 9 June 2026 with late penalties. You will need to make a choice between SFS – Universal Layer and BPS when you start your SAF.

SFS – Overview of Universal and Collaborative Layers

Details of opportunities in 2026 and 2027 to help you plan and let you know which actions to look out for.

Rewards for early tree planting

Landowners and farmers across Wales can apply for enhanced tree planting grants with a new £825 per hectare incentive payment available for native broadleaf woodland creation.

New Nutrient Planning Tool

The free nutrient management planning tool GB is now available online for farmers and land managers in Wales. The tool utilises nutrient management data from the RB209 fertiliser manual to inform recommendations and can be used to aid compliance with the regulatory requirements, including the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations.

SMR 1 : water protection (Control of Agricultural Pollution)

Farmers must follow these rules if they are claiming for payments under the SFS or the Basic Payment Scheme. Identified non-compliance with the SFS Regulatory baseline or Cross Compliance may result in financial penalties.

Report a Dead Badger

If you find a dead badger, you should report it, giving the location of the badger with a grid reference and/or what3words where possible:

phone: 08081 695110
e-mail: badger@bfd.wales

Changes to Bluetongue restrictions

The phased changes to facilitate Autumn sales of livestock will start on Monday, August 18.

From then, Welsh livestock that have completed a course of a Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccination, will be able to attend English markets within 20km of the Welsh border.

Bluetongue control measures in Wales

In response to increased risk of Bluetongue, including temperatures that are consistent with the active transmission period, some measures have been introduced in relation to the current Restricted Zone in England. Welsh Government has outlined the measures which will be in place for the active transmission period of Bluetongue.

Avian Influenza

Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been confirmed at a premises near Dulas, Ynys Môn on 9 August. A 1km Restriction Zone is in place around the infected premises. For further information click here

Sustainable Farming Scheme – Frequently Asked Questions

Welsh Government has developed a Frequently Asked Questions document to go with the Sustainable Farming Scheme 2026: scheme description. Full scheme guidance and technical notes will be available before the scheme starts on 1 January 2026.

Avian Influenza – Protect your Flock from Disease

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in kept birds in Wales this summer. Bird keepers are reminded an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone enforcing mandatory biosecurity measures remains in place and we urge you to remain vigilant and practice rigorous biosecurity to protect your birds. Keepers must report suspicion of HPAI to APHA. It is also a legal requirement for kept birds to be registered with APHA, who issue regular disease updates and guidance.

RPW Online – Migranting from Government Gateway to GOV.UK one login

From 4 June 2025, customers have been invited to migrate from Government Gateway to GOV.UK One Login. Full guidance on how to migrate your RPW Online account and invite individuals to migrate is available on the website.

Consultation: Implementation of Bovine Electronic Identification (Bovine EID) in Wales

Welsh Government is seeking your views on the proposed implementation of Bovine EID. The consultation will run to 14 August 2025.

County Parish Holdings and Livestock Movements – Seasonal Grazing

The seasonal grazing period is upon us, and we want to take this opportunity to remind both landowners and stockowners of their responsibilities for grazing stock. The link above features a flowchart, and outlines responsibilities for all involved.

BSE Negligible Risk Status

The World Organisation for Animal Health has changed the UK’s risk rating status to BSE Negligible Risk Status. This decision will open more avenues for trade with other countries as our improved risk status for beef and bovine products is recognised.

Controls on buying professional rodenticide products are being strengthened

The Health and Safety Executive has amended authorisations for products containing a second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (SGAR). It is now illegal to use any SGARs in open areas and waste dumps. From 1 January 2026, professional rodenticide products will only be supplied to those who can demonstrate they have completed a CRRU UK approved training course or are a member of a CRRU UK approved CPD scheme.

BPS Transfer and Lease of Entitlements for 2026

The Welsh Government is developing proposals for a transition from BPS to the Sustainable Farming Scheme from 2026. As a result, the BPS entitlement transfer window closed on 15 May 2025. It will remain closed until Welsh Ministers have decided on transfer and lease of BPS entitlements for the 2026 scheme year and beyond.

Welsh Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Eradication Scheme

The next phase of the implementation of the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) legislation has been deferred for a year until 1 July 2026. This is to align with the launch of MultiSpecies Wales.

EIDCymru. Measures introduced on 1 July 2024 remain unchanged. You still need to complete your annual screening by 1 July this year and isolate any persistently infected animals which will be restricted to the holding for life.

Further information can be found here

RPW Online – business area information

From 28 May 2025, RPW Online customers will be prompted to provide information regarding their business areas. For new customers, this information will be collected on the customer registration form. This will help to personalise the homepage, provide scheme information and guidance of interest and enable applications to SFS when agriculture and farm woodland is selected.

Growing For the Environment (Autumn Cover Crops)

The Growing for the Environment (Autumn Cover Crops) EOI window will open 2 June 2025 and close 11 July 2025. Growing for the Environment is a scheme that provides a maximum of £5,000 funding per window for the growing and utilisation of crops. This can result in improvements in the environmental performance of a farm business.

Small Grants – Woodland Creation

The second 2025 Small Grants – Woodland Creation application window opened on 19 May and closes on 27 June, with one further window in July. Amendments include:

making it easier to plant trees on farms with smaller areas now eligible
more flexible species mixes
a new ‘fruit and nut’ and ‘coastal’ species mix
an optional £300 contribution for additional advice

Small Grants – Environment (Water)

The Small Grants – Environment (Water) EOI window will open 21 May 2025 and close 1 July 2025. Small Grants – Environment is a scheme providing a maximum of £7,500 funding per window for Capital Works Projects that provide environmental benefits.

BVD Platform Research Project

The University of Nottingham and Scotland’s Rural College are running a survey as part of a project to bring about a step-change in the control of cattle disease. Cattle keepers are asked to take 15 minutes to complete the survey and help them with this valuable project.

Caring for farm animals and horses in extreme weather

Extreme weather can pose a major threat to livestock. If you keep livestock, you should inspect them often. It is important they have access to shelter, feed and water.

Is your pesticide application equipment due for testing?

By law, new equipment, such as boom sprayers and weed wipers, must be tested under the National Spray Testing Scheme (NSTS) before it is 5 years old. After 5 years, testing should occur regularly, either every 3 or 6 years, depending on the equipment type. Knapsack, handheld sprayers and pedestrian equipment with less than 3 wheels must also be checked on a regular basis. Remember to keep records up to date.

The Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 2025

The Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 2025 came into force on 1 April 2025. It details the minimum rates of pay and allowances, and other terms and conditions, to which agricultural, horticulture and forestry sector workers are entitled by law.

Poultry catching and handling: proposed changes to permitted methods

The Welsh Government want your views on proposed changes to how you are allowed to catch (lift and carry) laying hens and meat chickens for transport.

Keep your Spruce looking spruce

With promise of spring and warmer weather, the Welsh Government is reminding landowners with Spruce trees on their land to be vigilant for the signs of Eight-Toothed Spruce Bark Beetle, Ips typographus.

Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) – Scheme Design Update

Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs has provided a written statement on the design of the final Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

Welsh Government announces next steps in tackling antimicrobial resistance in animals

The Welsh Government has published details of its continued commitment to tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals across Wales, including £2 million of new funding and the establishment of a new expert advisory group.

Nature Workforce Wales: survey 2025

If you are helping to conserve, restore or enhance nature in Wales, please compete the first ever Nature Workforce Survey. Welsh Government is also asking for your email address, so that they can keep in touch with you about their work, for example to increase training opportunities.

The UK Pesticides National Action Plan 2025: working for a more sustainable future

Developed by all four UK Governments, the new National Action Plan was published on 21 March. It sets out the strategy for managing pesticide use and minimising risk over the next five years and includes the UK’s first domestic reduction target for pesticides use.

Ffermio Bro – Farming in Designated Landscapes

On 1 May Welsh Government will launch Ffermio Bro: Farming in Designated Landscapes, in partnership with the 3 National Parks and 5 National Landscapes. The scheme will fund actions that support nature-friendly farming, access and carbon reduction delivered across multiple farms.

Optimising Rural Grids Through Agriculture

Successful projects are exploring how agricultural communities can optimise rural energy grids to support a more sustainable, resilient future. These feasibility studies are a key step in advancing innovation in rural energy solutions.

Welsh Government approves Blue Tongue vaccines licence for voluntary use

Welsh Ministers have agreed to licence three Bluetongue (BTV-3) vaccines for emergency use across Wales. Welsh Government has worked closely with farming industry representatives who requested all three BTV-3 vaccines be licenced for use in Wales. The general licence will be available for use in Wales from 1 March. The vaccines are suppressive, meaning they will reduce some of the clinical signs experienced by animals with the disease. They do not prevent infection but they should reduce clinical signs and mortality.

Small Grants – Efficiency

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. The next application window will open to all eligible applicants on 3 March 2025 and will close on 11 April 2025.

RPW Online

From 27 February 2025 onwards, Welsh Government will be inviting groups of RPW Online users to move over to the new GOV.UK One Login service. They will invite you via your RPW Online account when it is time for you to move over to GOV.UK One Login. Welsh Government would like all RPW Online users to be using GOV.UK One Login by the end of the year.

Rural Development Schemes Key Dates

Application dates for all agricultural support schemes. Details of all guidance documents for the Agricultural Support Schemes can be found under rural grants and payments shortly before the application window becomes available.

Livestock feed controls review for England and Wales

Welsh Government are seeking views on proposals to change the current livestock feed controls to allow:

porcine processed animal protein (PAP) to be fed to poultry
poultry PAP to be fed to porcine animals
insect PAP to be fed to poultry and porcine animals
ruminant collagen and gelatine in non-ruminant feed

This consultation will close on 1 April 2025.

All Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone Introduced

There have been no cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) confirmed in poultry or other kept birds in Wales so far this outbreak season. However, the number of cases in poultry flocks continues to increase across Great Britain and there is a heightened risk of transmission from wild to kept birds.

For further information read the Written Statement

The Single Application Form (SAF)

The online SAF will become available on Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online on 3 March 2025. The deadline for submitting your SAF is midnight 15 May 2025, or by 9 June 2024 with late penalties. Further details available here

CPH Review Update

Alma Economics has been commissioned by the Welsh Government to review CPH processes, guidance, and systems in Wales. The CPH Review is well underway, and Alma Economics are keen to hear your views on CPH processes, guidance, and systems in Wales. The survey will close on 14 February at 10:00am. To take part in the survey click here

Have your say on Wales’ new timber strategy

With global demand for timber set to quadruple by 2050, how can Wales benefit from expected growth while future proofing its forests? The Welsh Government would like your views on that question ahead of launching a timber industrial strategy later this year. To read the consultation document click here

New Woodland Creation Grant Windows Announced

The Woodland Creation Grant application window will open on 3 March and close 21 November. The Small Grants Woodland Creation scheme will also open on 3 March and close on 11 April, with two further windows in May and July. Both schemes have been amended to facilitate agroforestry. The Woodland Creation Grant now includes revised low density planting options with less prescriptive tree protection and extended maintenance payments.

Announcement on the Laying of Marketing Standards Regulations for Eggs

On 28 January 2025, the Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, laid the Free-Range Egg Marketing Standards (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2025 before the Senedd. Subject to approval by the Senedd, these Regulations will remove current derogation timings, allowing free range eggs to retain their ‘free range’ status for the duration of any mandatory housing period. This will remove the requirement to relabel or repackage free range eggs during housing orders issued in response to Avian Influenza.

Transporting animals to, from or through Great Britain

If you are transporting cattle, sheep, pigs or goats from Great Britain to a country outside the UK, or transiting these animals through Great Britain, you must provide proof of the purpose of your journey.

Cross Compliance 2025

The vast majority of Cross Compliance rules continue to apply as in 2024. However, some factsheets have been updated for 2025 to reflect changes in requirements, good practice and to clarify wording. There have also been some changes to the Cross Compliance 2025 Verifiable Standards for classifying breaches of Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC) and Statutory Management Requirements (SMR). You should regularly check and review the Cross Compliance regulations.

To view the changes click here

Five-year plan for agricultural support starting 1 January 2025

Welsh Ministers have outlined their five-year plan to support the agricultural sector. To read the document download a copy

five-year-plan-for-agricultural-support-starting-1-january-2025 Download

Woodland Restoration Scheme

The Woodland Restoration Scheme is now open for new applications. This window for Expression of Interest will close at midnight on 28 February 2025. You will need to complete all Establishment and Capital Works and submit all claims for payment by 31 March 2026.

Further information available here

The BVDCymru System is now live

The BVDCymru system went live on 2 December 2024. The team is dealing with a backlog of tests carried out between 1 July and November 2024. Vets and keepers will not receive notifications from these results, but they will be able to view them on the system. Vets and keepers will receive notifications from tests carried out from December 2024.

Cattle Tags: When will Bovine Electronic Identification be introduced?

Plans are progressing. To find out more click here

Ash dieback: policy approach 2024-2029

The Welsh Government has published a high-level approach to the management of ash dieback across Wales. Landowners and managers should take a risk-based approach to manage the societal, environmental and economic impacts of the disease. This approach compliments the Natural Resources Wales guidance which offers practical and sustainable approaches to managing ash dieback.

Sheep and goat keepers: annual inventory December 2024

The date of the Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory is 1 December 2024. Keepers have been contacted with information about how to complete the inventory and what support is available. Farm Liaison Service and Farming Connect will attend drop in-sessions at livestock markets where they can help you complete the inventory. Keepers are encouraged to complete the inventory as soon as possible after 1 December and to make use of the support available.

Rural Development Schemes Key Dates

SFS Preparatory Phase schemes open

Three SFS Preparatory Schemes, Growing for the Environment, Agricultural Diversification and Horticulture and Small Grants – Horticulture Start Up are open to eligible applicants to encourage greater environmental enhancements and support farmers and growers to continue the sustainable production of food. Further new rounds of additional schemes are planned to open soon.

Sustainable Farming Scheme: Proposed Scheme Outline 2024

Working in partnership with the farming unions, environmental groups and other stakeholders on the Ministerial Roundtable and supporting groups, including the Carbon Sequestration Panel, this latest update contains important changes to previous proposals.

Winter Update Booklet from Welsh Government

50703_Winter Update 2024 (E)_WEB Download

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A dedicated webpage to explain integrated pest management (IPM) has been launched. The key aim is to encourage and support the uptake of IPM practice as an alternative approach to reduce dependency on the use of chemical pesticides. The webpage includes a link to Defra’s website on IPM where you can access information on how to introduce IPM techniques to managing weeds, pests and diseases on your land.

Rural Affairs Wales

The Wales Rural Network has rebranded with the launch of a new website and name! Rural Affairs Wales, part of Welsh Government’s Rural Affairs Division, encourages and promotes rural development through the sharing of information, news, ideas and good practice. We work with, and for, anyone who lives, works or is interested in Rural Wales.

Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) Data Confirmation

Rural Payments Wales (RPW) launched the SFS data confirmation exercise via RPW Online on 22 July 2024. The Data Confirmation Form displays the current data held by Welsh Government for farms, and the exercise gives everyone the opportunity to review, amend and confirm the habitat areas and tree canopy areas in readiness for Habitat Wales Scheme 2025 and SFS in 2026.

County Parish Holdings and Livestock Movements – Seasonal Grazing

The seasonal grazing period is fast approaching and in readiness for this, here is a reminder to both landowners and stockowners of their responsibilities for grazing stock.

New TB Board established for Wales

A new Bovine TB Eradication Programme Board has been established for Wales and is the latest development in reaching the shared goal of a a TB-free Wales.

Blue Tongue Virus Confirmed in Norfolk

Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been confirmed in a ram in Norfolk. This is the first confirmed case of the disease in Great Britain during the 2024 vector season. The Animal & Plant Health Agency is undertaking surveillance within the Norfolk/Suffolk zone area to better understand the disease situation. Livestock keepers are strongly advised to talk with their vet if considering moving susceptible animals from the east/southeast of England to Wales. If you keep livestock, you should remain vigilant, and report any suspicion of bluetongue disease in your animals.

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)

PPR also known as sheep and goat plague, is a highly contagious, notifiable viral disease. In July, the first outbreaks in Europe for many years were reported. To protect our animals, imports into GB of live sheep and goats, as well as products of animal origin have been restricted from both countries. This demonstrates the continuing risks to our livestock from exotic diseases, and the need to maintain high standards of biosecurity – both at national and farm level.

RPW Online – GOV.UK One Login

To modernise our RPW Online service and enable new features in the future, we are moving away from the Government Gateway. Rural Payments Wales (RPW) is currently developing a new system for customers to access RPW Online using GOV.UK One Login. As all individuals using RPW Online will need their own login information, please ensure in advance all individual details are up to date and correct on your RPW Online account Individual Details tab.

Cabinet Secretary confirms support available for farmers in 2025

Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, has confirmed a number of schemes to support farmers and landowners before the Sustainable Farming Scheme is introduced in 2026.

Transfer of BPS Entitlements 2025

The 2025 transfer window of BPS entitlements will open on 2 September 2024, Transfer of Entitlements forms will be available on the RPW online account
Entitlement values displayed on the RPW Online account may be subject to annual changes to take account of the value of unclaimed entitlements and unallocated National Reserve budget in 2025. Any increase applied to the entitlement value in 2025 will only apply in 2025.
Customers must submit the Transfer of Entitlements form before midnight on 15 May 2025 for the entitlements to be available to claim on BPS 2025.

New Rural Wales Facebook page launched by Welsh Government

https://www.facebook.com/cymruwledig

CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER UPDATES FROM GWLAD

New Resources from Samaritans Cymru

Toolkits for those looking for guidance on how to understand and talk compassionately with those suffering poor mental health and emotional distress are available from Samaritans Cymru. Please click here for more details about these, and other support resources available in Wales.

Diversification – Advice on setting up a campsite or caravan park on your farm

Pitchup can advise on everything you need to know, from information on planning permission, to taking payments, to waste disposal, to how such a venture might affect your BPS entitlements.

Click here for more information