MORE than £70 million is to be made available to support Welsh agriculture

Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales Lesley Griffiths outlined the aims of the Welsh Government's Agricultural Bill at a press conference on Tuesday.

She said more than £66 million is being made available to "continue delivering positive environmental outcomes for Wales".

She said: "I am very pleased to make £66.79m available through Glastir Advanced, Commons and Organic contracts until December 2023.

"The programme is crucial in supporting our farmers and this extension will help us further enhance our understanding of the impact of Glastir actions and interventions and contribute to the development of the future Sustainable Farming Scheme.

"I am also pleased a further £7m funding will see Farming Connect through to March 2023.

"This will ensure support for a more professional, profitable and resilient land based sector, as we deal with multiple challenges and opportunities, including reducing all greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2050 and the ever-changing trading environment for the industry.

"From visiting farms the length and breadth of Wales, I have seen first-hand the positive impact Farming Connect has on the livelihoods of our farmers and I look forward to seeing more benefit thanks to today’s announcement.

"Significant and important change is coming which will provide a stable and sustainable future for the industry and rural communities in Wales. In the meantime, the Basic Payment Scheme will remain in place up to 2023, subject to UK Government funding, to provide support for farmers as we work together to transition to the Sustainable Farming Scheme.”