Support Available in Wales

Although there are no specific grants available for pure farming at the moment from Welsh Government, there are a number of options for those who have aligned or diversified business if they are not solely producing milk, livestock or crops.

Farming Connect are also offering skype and telephone appointments to those requiring them. These appointments will be 100% funded and will cover topics such as planning, succession, business planning and business advice, legal advice, financial advice as well as staff management. In the first instance it is advised to contact your local development officer with any queries. Further digital assistance will also be available over the phone via the development officers or the service centre (08456 000813), which is still operational during this time.

There are a range of grants which Welsh Government  have announced in response to COVID-19 and some of these apply to farming business especially where they have employees or pay business rates due to operating diversified businesses in addition to farming.

One of the options is the Economic Resilience Fund which is made up of three aspects.

1. The Wales Business Loan Scheme, although currently exhausted, additional funding may become available.
2. There is a Micro Business Grant, applicable to those employing between 1 and 9 people in addition to the business owner or Director. The business must be operating within Wales and be VAT registered, the turnover must have dropped by 40% or more from the 1^st March to be eligible. This opened on the 17^th March 2020 and is available for 12 months  however is likely to be snapped up quickly.
3. The SME and Large Business Fund, available to those employing between 10 and 249 people. There must be a reduction in turnover of 60% and it is a grant of up to £100,000. This also started on the 17^th March 2020 and has a number of elements to it that must be satisfied in terms of eligibility.

Note the above grants are not available for businesses that solely produce milk, livestock or crops. Please therefore take a look at the website https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19-support-businesses for further information on what is available and to complete the application process. If you require assistance with these please contact us.

Whilst this is a period of uncertainty for all involved, we need to concentrate on what we can do and utilise the support that is available to us as farming businesses. The opportunities mentioned are just some of those currently available, and if you wish to know any more on the opportunities available, please speak to any of our team by phoning 01558 650381 or emailing advisor@agriadvisor.co.uk.