Farming
Glastir Support Schemes reminder
FARMERS are being urged not to miss the opportunity to apply for the Glastir Entry and Advanced Support Scheme. The loan facility has been set up to help farmers who will not receive their Glastir Entry or Advanced 2019 payment early in the payment window.
The scheme will operate in the same way as the BPS Support Scheme and is an ‘opt-in’ scheme.
Applications are now available on RPW Online and the window will close on 14 February. It is anticipated that payment will be made during the week commencing 24 February, to those eligible farm businesses who do not receive their Glastir Entry or Advanced 2019 payment early in the payment window.
The 2019 Glastir Entry and Advanced Support Scheme will pay a loan of 50% of an individual farm business’ anticipated Glastir Entry or Advanced 2019 claim value. The Glastir Entry and Advanced Support Scheme payment will be intercepted from a farm business’ full Glastir Entry or Advanced 2019 claim once processed.
There are some instances where a loan payment would not be appropriate, for example, a farm business may not be eligible for a Glastir Entry and Advanced Support Scheme payment if the business has an outstanding Grant of Probate or if penalties applied to the Glastir Entry or Advanced claim will not be covered by the Glastir Entry or Advanced balance payment.
FUW Membership and Operations Manager Caryl Roberts said: “I encourage all our members, who are part of these schemes to apply for the loan. Our county staff are on hand to help with these applications or if you have any questions about eligibility – just give your local office a call and make an appointment.”
Crime
Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court
A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been found not guilty of breaching a restraining order after being accused of referencing a protected individual in a Facebook post.
Philip Stoddart, 58, of Monkhill Farm, St Ishmaels, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 20) to face the charge. The prosecution, led by Ann Griffiths on behalf of the crown, alleged that between December 4 and December 13, 2023, Stoddart made a Facebook post that, by inference, referred to a person he was prohibited from contacting under a restraining order imposed by Swansea Crown Court on April 16, 2021.
The restraining order, issued under Section 360 of the Sentencing Act 2020, barred Stoddart from making any form of contact with her.
Prosecutors argued that the Facebook post constituted a breach of the order, contrary to Section 363 of the same act.
Stoddart denied the allegations and entered a not guilty plea during a prior hearing on October 1, 2024.
Magistrates Professor N. Negus, Mr. J. Steadman, and Mrs. J. Morris presided over the trial, which concluded on Monday.
After reviewing the evidence, the bench found Stoddart not guilty, dismissing the case.
The dismissal brings to a close legal proceedings that had been ongoing for over a year.
Farming
Get up to £5,000 for on-farm trials in Wales
FARMERS in Wales are being called to apply for the next round of funding for on-farm trials.
The Farming Connect initiative, which has funded projects such as growing lucerne in Brecon, is inviting applications for the Try Out Fund.
The new application window opens on January 27, 2025, and will run until February 17.
Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund trials that experiment with new ideas on their farms.
The last round of funding supported several projects, including integrated pest management at a pick-your-own strawberry enterprise.
Menna Williams, the Farming Connect project lead, said: “Farming Connect has developed the Try Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment.”
She added: “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.”
The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.
Ms Williams said: “Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100 per cent effort right from the start.”
Projects should focus on enhancing production efficiencies and profitability while ensuring environmental protection through adherence to sustainable land management principles.
A guidance handbook is accessible on the Farming Connect website, providing support for farmers in outlining their projects and completing the application process.
To apply, individuals must be registered with Farming Connect and capable of finishing their projects by January 2026.
Ms Williams explained: “Funding can be used for technical assistance, sampling, testing and other reasonable expenses such as those relating to short-term hire of specialist equipment or facilities directly relating to the project.”
The findings will be shared with other producers in Wales by collaborating with a Farming Connect team member.
Interested parties can apply on the Farming Connect website.
To receive the link or get further information, contact [email protected].
Farming
Funding window to re-open for on-farm trials in Wales
WITH Farming Connect-funded trials ranging from growing lucerne in Brecon to establishing sunflowers as a companion crop with maize, farmers are being invited to apply for the next round of funding from the initiative that brought these projects to life.
The new application window for the Try Out Fund opens on 27January2025 and will run until 17 February. Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund on-farm trials that experiment with new ideas. The last round of funding saw farmers supported for several projects including integrated pest management at pick your own strawberry enterprise.
Project lead Menna Williams of Farming Connect said the aim is for farmers to compare different treatments or management systems – the project is not intended to fund new equipment she stressed.
“Farming Connect has developed the Try-Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment,’’ she said. “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.’’
The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.
“Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100% effort right from the start,’’ said Ms Williams.
Suitable projects must aim to improve production efficiencies and profitability whilst protecting the environment by aligning with sustainable land management outcomes. A guidance handbook is available on the Farming Connect website to help farmers scope their project and complete the application form.
Applicants must be registered with Farming Connect and be able to complete their projects by January 2026.
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