90% of claimants will receive their full or balance Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2022 payments tomorrow (Friday, December 9), Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths has said.
Updating members of the Senedd, Griffiths said that over 14,400 Welsh farm businesses will receive payments worth £62.5 million, in addition to the £161 million paid as BPS advance payments in October.
“RPW (Rural Payments Wales) has once again made an impressive number of BPS payments at the start of the payment window and these payments will provide some financial certainty to farm businesses during these challenging times,” she said.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank industry stakeholders who have once again worked closely with my officials to deliver the excellent number of BPS payments.”
She added that her officials will continue to work to process the remaining outstanding BPS claims.
“I expect all but the most complex cases to be completed by June 30, 2023,” she said.
Beyond BPS payments
Also this week, Minister Griffiths announced that the retail sale of peat in horticulture is set end in Wales.
Her announcement followed a public consultation whereby 92% of respondents supported an overall ban on the sale of peat compost in Wales.
“The consultation showed strong support for banning peat sales in Wales and we will now work to implement a ban as soon as is practically possible,” Griffiths said.
“Our peatlands are iconic, and today’s (Monday, December 5) announcement will be key in protecting and restoring them for future generations and supporting the work of the National Peatland Action Programme.
“Carbon dioxide emissions from peat extractions has an impact on climate change and introducing a ban on the retail sale of peat in horticulture will make a real difference.”
