The Welsh Assembly Government has confirmed it will decouple the protein crop premium from 2010.

It means that from next year the payment, which was worth €55.57/ha in 2009 and available for crops such as peas, field beans and sweet lupins, will be integrated into the single payment, instead of being paid separately from the SPS.

The decision to integrate it within the SPS followed a consultation that closed in May this year. It found that all respondents agreed with the proposal, bringing it in line with other farming sectors.

The reference year used to calculate the amount paid will be 2008.

An NFU Cymru spokesperson welcomed the announcement. “It’s an issue which affects a relatively small number of farmers in Wales, but will be important to those affected,” she said.