800 Welsh farmers rush to secure slurry grants

More than 800 farm businesses in Wales have applied for their share of more than £20m of government funding to help improve slurry storage infrastructure on farms to comply with air and water regulations.

Grant awards worth £1.06m have already been accepted under the Yard Coverings scheme and more than 700 Expressions of Interest (EoIs) have been received for the Nutrient Management Investment Scheme.

All eligible applicants of the Nutrient Management Investment Scheme are invited to the next stage. Full applications are due by 9 December 2024.

See also: Welsh government unveils £20m funding for slurry management

Both schemes are designed to improve farm infrastructure, particularly for managing slurry and complying with agricultural pollution regulations, which will help improve water quality in rivers and their tributaries.

The schemes will provide funding for additional slurry storage capacity and/or prevent rainwater entering slurry stores to reduce storage capacity requirement. But both are now closed for new applications.

Huw Irranca-Davies, Wales’ deputy first minister with responsibility for rural affairs, said he was pleased by the high level of interest in the schemes.

“Farmers, landowners and agricultural businesses are at the forefront of this effort, and so it’s essential that we give them the support to develop sustainable practices and innovative solutions,” said Mr Irranca-Davies.

“Over the past year we have seen the impact the wet weather has had on agriculture – which also shows the importance of investing in resilience. 

“Our future generations will be farming in much more challenging conditions. We must act today to adapt and respond to these challenges – taking steps to build resilience to the potential impacts of climate change.”

The minister encouraged all farm businesses that have been selected to submit their full applications and take full advantage of the funding on offer.