NFU Cymru has written to the Secretary for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, to outline priorities for 'Rural Development Programme' delivery during the period of the transition out of the EU.
At the recent NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board, the Wales RDP was a key focus of discussion and, in the context of the EU Referendum last June, farmers expressed concern that time was now running out for the RDP.
Key opportunities were considered for the RDP post-Referendum - with NFU Cymru saying the plan "must speed up", with delivery focused on "real, tangible benefits" for Welsh farmers.
Many farmers expressed support for investments on-farm through better resourced and more frequent application windows for the 'Sustainable Production Grant Scheme.'
Some want the development and roll-out of a new small scale Sustainable Production Grant Scheme to support many more farmers in Wales to make small scale investments.
The Rural Affairs Board concluded that ensuring contracts are developed and offered to all those who have expressed an interest for Glastir Advanced 2017 must commence ahead of the autumn statement.
Offering extensions to contracts to 2020 to all farmers who currently hold multi-annual agri-environment contracts, including Glastir Entry and Glastir Commons, was also spoken about
Farmers wanted a re-opening for Glastir Organics to support those wishing to convert to organic through the organic conversion process.
And finally, farmers supported continued investment in the environment through better resourced and more frequent application windows for the Glastir Small Grants Scheme.
'Very important to rural Wales'
NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board Chairman, Hedd Pugh said: "The maximum transfer from Pillar 1 to Pillar 2, makes the Rural Development Programme very important to rural Wales and as a result of the EU Referendum, swift implementation has now become critically important."
He added: "The evidence so far shows there is significant demand from farmers for farming related schemes, particularly those that support on-farm investment in infrastructure, the latest equipment and technologies and the multi-annual schemes provide the opportunity to secure the delivery of multiple environmental objectives.
"Having taken the time to develop these schemes, NFU Cymru believes that resourcing future windows provides the greatest opportunity to maximise the impact of RDP funds in the time left available."
Mr Pugh said RDP funds in Wales have a "very significant" contribution to make to the "vitality" of farm businesses which, in turn, "do much to support the economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being of rural Wales."
"It is vital that Welsh Government now works with industry partners on the implementation of RDP schemes and initiatives, to deliver transformational change and lasting impact on Welsh farms," Mr Pugh said.
