Farm businesses in Wales received an estimated £26.2 million of Glastir payments during an early payment window in January, according to a statement by Welsh Government.

More than 2,200 claims were paid in January under Glastir Entry, Advance, Commons and Organic and represents 78% of all submitted claims.

Businesses in receipt of the funding play a key role in areas such as taking action towards decarbonisation of Welsh agriculture, improving water and soil resources, and enhancing and conserving wildlife and biodiversity.

Lesley Griffiths, Rural Affairs Minister, said: "I am pleased there has been a significant increase in the number of payments made in comparison with previous years.

"This has been achieved as a result of simplifying the Basic Payment Scheme for 2021 and implementing a more streamlined process which allowed the introduction of BPS Advance payments in October last year."

She continued: "I would like to thank everyone, including industry stakeholders, who have worked with my officials to deliver this unprecedented number of payments to Welsh farm businesses.

"The hard work continues to process the remaining claims as soon as possible and I expect to meet the European Commission's payment target before June 30, with all, except the most complex claims, to be paid by this date."

In 2021, the minister announced to extend Glastir schemes until December 2023 with a further a further £66.7m to contribute to the development of the future Sustainable Farming Scheme and enhance the understanding of the impact of Glastir actions.

Read more here about how Glastir works.