Please click here to access the Welsh Government’s Winter Update giving the latest information on a range of agricultural and rural issues for farmers and stakeholders.

08/01/18 – deadline for submission of 1st window receipts

29/01/18 – 3rd Window opens

02/03/18 – deadline for submission of 2nd window receipts

16/03/18 – 3rd Window closes

Please note that for the third and future rounds of FBG, applications can be made through your Rural Payments Wales (RPW) online account.

Scheme information, including a list of eligible items can be found by clicking on this link,

Attendance at a Farming Connect Farming for the Future Roadshows is a requirement if you wish to make an application for the FBG. Places must be booked in advance by contacting 08456 000 813. Details of the next round of roadshows are as follows:-

17/01/18 – Bridgend

22/01/18 – Aberaeron

23/01/18 – Carmarthen

25/01/18 – Llandinam

30/01/18 – Bangor

01/02/18 – Bala

If you require further assistance with your application, please contact us here at CARA on 01570 471516.

Glastir Advanced (GA) Contracts that commenced in 2013 and 2014 may be offered a ‘renewed’ contract (until 31 December 2019) after their 5 year contract period has expired. No Capital Works will be included in the renewed contracts, and certain options will be removed, added or upgraded.

Further details are available on the Welsh Government website , including a FAQ guide.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) for the 4th window (Carbon theme) opened on 1 November 2017 and will close at midnight on 13 December 2017. As in previous windows, an existing Glastir contract is NOT NECESSARY  to be eligible.

Glastir Small Grants is a standalone scheme providing a maximum of £7,500 funding per theme for Capital Works Projects. Further details, including scheme rules are available on the Welsh Government website.

If you require further assistance with your application via your RPW on-line account, please contact us here at CARA on 01570 471516.

Please remember that all 2017 Capital Works listed in your Glastir Advanced Contract have to be completed by 31 December 2017 and claimed via your RPW online account no later than 28 February 2018. Any outstanding works items (scheduled for completion between 2013 and 2015) should be undertaken, completed and claimed for before the end of your contract, but these will not be paid.

If you require further assistance with your online claims, please contact us here at CARA and we’ll be pleased to help!

The Euro exchange rate has been set for calculating 2017 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments.

BPS payments for Wales are set in Euros and then converted into sterling and the rate, an average of the European Central Bank exchange rates set in September, will be:-

€1 = £0.89470

In 2016, the exchange rate for BPS was €1 = £0.85228

In 2015, the exchange rate for BPS was €1 = £0.73129

The Expression of Interest (EOI) window for Glastir Advanced 2019 will open on 18 September and close at midnight on 20 October 2017. Participating in Glastir Entry is no longer necessary to access Glastir Advanced.

Further details can be found on the Welsh Governmnet website including the selection process for Expressions of Interest which must be made via your RPW Online account. If you require assistance with your application, please contact us here at CARA on 01570 471516.

From 11 September 2017, livestock keepers will be able to choose between setting-up Quarantine Units (QUs) to manage their animal movements as an alternative to continuing to adhere to the current 6Day Standstill (6DSS) Rules. All keepers are being contacted to advise them of the new arrangements and to inform them of when they can apply.

The Welsh Government website has updated guidance on how to set up and apply for a QU.

Farm Business Grant guidance The Farm Business Grant (FBG) will provide farmers in Wales with a 40% contribution towards capital investments in equipment and machinery that have been pre-identified as offering clear and quantifiable benefits to farm enterprises. The minimum grant available is £3,000 and the maximum is £12,000, and only one application will be approved per business during the 4-year lifetime of the Scheme.

Applications to the first window (closed on 30 June 2017) have now been approved, with the second window opening on 2 August 2017 (until 29 September 2017). The third window is expected to open on 2 January 2018. A full list of around 70 eligible items linked to animal health, genetics and performance; crop management; energy efficiency; resource efficiency and ICT  can be seen on the Welsh Government website . Here you will also find a link to the on-line application form.

The key requirements is that  the farm must have registered with Farming Connect before submitting an application, and that a partner/director in the farming business must attend a Farming for the Future Roadshow organised by Farming Connect, as listed on the FC website. The dates for the next round of Roadshows are as follows:-

04/09/17 – Machynlleth

05/09/17- Welshpool

07/09/17 – Brecon

11/09/17- Caernarfon

12/09/17 – Mold

14/09/17 – Nantyffin

18/09/17 – Lampeter

If you would like further assistance with your application, please contact us here at CARA on 01570 471516.

The Single Application Form (SAF) 2017 will be available to complete ONLY via RPW Online from 6th March 2017. The deadline for submitting your SAF, together with all the necessary supporting documents is midnight, Monday 15 May 2017. Any applications and documents submitted from 16 May up to and including Friday 9 June 2017 will receive late claim penalties.

SAF 2017 must be used to claim payment for the following Schemes:-

• Basic Payment Scheme(BPS), including Greening and Young Farmer
• Glastir Entry (GE)
• Glastir Advanced (GA)
• Glastir Organic (GO)
• Glastir Woodland Management (GWM)
• Improved Land Premium (ILP)
• Glastir Woodland Creation Premium (GWCP)
• Glastir Woodland Creation Maintenance (GCM)
• Glastir Woodland Creation Premium (GCP)

You must also complete the SAF if you wish to apply to the National Reserve for an allocation of BPS Entitlements.

As in previous years, CARA staff will be on hand to help you complete your SAF, and you will therefore need to contact the office on 01570 471516 to arrange an appointment as soon as possible.