A RECENT announcement by the Welsh government to implement a flat rate Basic Payment by 2019 has highlighted the challenges facing farmers - a leading firm of chartered surveyors has said.

The decision to opt for the flat rate was taken after a 12-month consultation as the deputy minister for Welsh farming and food, Rebecca Evans, believes it treats all farmers equally in moving payments to the same value per hectare by 2019 in five annual steps.

There will also be a re-distributive payment making a top-up payment for the first 54 hectares of each claim.

The move from historic to flat payment will mean a sharp reduction in direct payments for most farmers.

To help the transition to the flat payment system, further financial help is available for new entrants, young farmers and for farming business with exceptional circumstances and through the Wales Rural Development Programme (RDP) Pillar ll funding.

Additional funding is also available to new entrants who haven't undertaken any agricultural activity in the five years preceding them starting an agricultural business. The business must have commenced no earlier than 2013.

Kinnersley-based Berrys says it is working with its clients to help them through the Basic Payment Scheme.