i) 93% of Welsh farms paid full or balance BPS payments 2021
On 15th December 2021, Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths announced that over 93% of Welsh farm businesses had received their full or balance Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments.
This exceeded the number of payments made early in the 2020 window and meant that £227 million had been paid to more than 15,000 farmers across Wales, inclusive of the advance payments made in October.
Nevertheless, the FUW is urging the Welsh Government to process the remaining BPS 2021 payments as quickly as possible.
ii) Plaid Cymru reshuffle following Cooperation Agreement
Plaid Cymru has recently been reshuffled as part of the Cooperation Agreement with the Welsh Labour Party with Cefin Campbell MS being selected as the Second Designated Member.
Heledd Fychan MS, Sioned Williams MS and Mabon ap Gwynfor MS all have new roles, with Mabon ap Gwynfor becoming the new spokesperson for Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Plaid Cymru.
iii) Retailer Aldi continues support for British food producers throughout pandemic
Major retailer Aldi announced that it has spent an additional £1.6 billion with British suppliers since the Covid-19 pandemic began. This includes £125 million on British meat, poultry and dairy products.
Alongside its commitment to source 100% British fresh meat and dairy products, Aldi has also reiterated its pledge to spend an extra £3.5 billion per year with British businesses by the end of 2025.