Thousands of Welsh farmers receive 80% advance payments

Thousands of Welsh farmers have received 80% of their annual support payments early, in a move aimed at easing financial pressures on farm businesses.

Figures released by the Welsh government on Tuesday, 13 October show that 90% of Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) Universal Layer claimants and 94% of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) claimants have received advance payments.

See also: NFU Cymru urges SFS changes before 2027 window

The advance payment rate for both schemes was also increased from 70% to 80% this year to provide earlier access to funding.

Outstanding advance payments will continue to be processed as claims are checked and approved, with balance payments due to begin from mid-December.

Farmers claiming under the SFS Universal Layer must update their SFS Universal dashboard through RPW Online to receive their remaining payment.

The Welsh government expects all but the most complex claims to be settled by the end of March 2027.

Cabinet minister for rural resilience and sustainability Llyr Gruffydd welcomed the progress.

“Payments have already reached the vast majority – 90% of farmers claiming SFS – and considering that this is the very first year of a brand-new scheme, I see that a big win.”

However, the minister urged farmers to check their RPW Online accounts “in case there are outstanding queries to respond to that might hold up their advance payment”.

Industry response

Ian Rickman, Farmers’ Union of Wales president, welcomed the advance payment against the backdrop of a challenging year for the industry.

“However, it is particularly important for SFS claimants to remember that the remaining balance on these payments will only follow once their claims have been fully checked and that all relevant Universal Actions are completed,” he added.

“Our analysis shows that around £28m will remain available once all advance and balance payments are made as a result of the tapered BPS payments.

“As a sector we need to ensure that the entire BPS/SFS budget is spent in the most effective way by the end of the financial year, and that every penny of this budget is received by active farmers in Wales,” added Mr Rickman.