Funding

NFU Cymru has called on the Welsh Government to redeploy rural development cash to support farming businesses through the coronavirus pandemic.

NFU president Minette Batters says a dairy hardship payment expected to be announced by Government this week has not come quick enough for farmers battling ‘market collapse’.

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has confirmed it will offer bridging loans to farmers still waiting for 2019 stewardship payments.

The Tenant Farmers’ Association (TFA) has called on Government to ensure farm payments are made on time as the deadline to claim was extended due to disruption caused by the coronavirus.

Farmers will need a serious cash injection from the Government if they are to survive this pandemic, then Brexit, says Deirdre Brock, SNP rural affairs spokesman in Westminster.

The Government is being urged to protect agriculture and environment budgets over the coming years, with spiralling spending on the coronavirus pandemic prompting fears of a new round of austerity.

The NFU has called on the Government to provide a BPS 2020 ‘payment guarantee’ to help farmers struggling with cashflow issues due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With the UK under lockdown as the coronavirus pandemic continues, Parliament is moving to carry out its work remotely. But what does this mean for farming legislation? Abi Kay explores.

There are only a few months left until the Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship application window closes on 31 July 2020.  Countryside Stewardship agreements will continue to be offered in 2022 and 2023, until the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) is introduced in 2024.

A farmer has raised over £32,000 for the NHS, after being inspired to walk 91 laps around his home by an army veteran’s fundraising efforts.