The Welsh Government’s energy, planning and rural affairs secretary Lesley Griffiths has announced 91 per cent of Basic Payment Scheme claims will be paid out to 91 per cent on Friday, December 1, the first day these payments can be made under European Union rules.

14,111 Welsh farmers will receive over £201 million.

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Builth Wells today, Monday, the Labour secretary will also announce a new land capacity mapping system, which allows land users, planners and the Welsh Government to make informed choices about how agricultural land is used in Wales. This is the first major update since maps were originally produced in the early 1970s.

Ms Griffiths said, with Brexit on the horizon, it is important as much is done as possible to ensure farmers have support.

“A ‘no deal’ scenario presents particularly acute risks for those sectors particularly reliant on exports to the EU including lamb,” she said.

“Leaving the Common Agricultural Policy and new, yet to be established, trading arrangements mean that maintaining the status quo is simply not an option.

“Turning challenges into opportunities is where the industry and individual farm businesses need to be focusing their attention.”

She added: “Brexit will provide a once in a generation opportunity to redesign our policy framework in a way that is uniquely Welsh, that reflects Welsh needs and strengths.”

The Welsh Government’s energy, planning and rural affairs secretary Lesley Griffiths has announced 91 per cent of Basic Payment Scheme claims will be paid out to 91 per cent on Friday, December 1, the first day these payments can be made under European Union rules.

14,111 Welsh farmers will receive over £201 million.

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Builth Wells today, Monday, the Labour secretary will also announce a new land capacity mapping system, which allows land users, planners and the Welsh Government to make informed choices about how agricultural land is used in Wales. This is the first major update since maps were originally produced in the early 1970s.

Ms Griffiths said, with Brexit on the horizon, it is important as much is done as possible to ensure farmers have support.

“A ‘no deal’ scenario presents particularly acute risks for those sectors particularly reliant on exports to the EU including lamb,” she said.

“Leaving the Common Agricultural Policy and new, yet to be established, trading arrangements mean that maintaining the status quo is simply not an option.

“Turning challenges into opportunities is where the industry and individual farm businesses need to be focusing their attention.”

She added: “Brexit will provide a once in a generation opportunity to redesign our policy framework in a way that is uniquely Welsh, that reflects Welsh needs and strengths.”