Latest news with #Green&Co
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
All the agriculture grants available to Gwent farmers
The reopened grants added woodland assessments, wildfire checklists, stone wall repairs and the hosting of educational visits as additional capital items available for grants. As farming is a devolved power to the Welsh Government, the grant only applies to English farmers. Typically in instances like this, the Welsh Government may be given their own pot of funding to use how they see fit. However, while no announcements have been made of any new schemes in Wales, there are already a number of similar grants available. The majority of these are through the Sustainable Farming Scheme. While many have closed for the year, there are still a number currently available for farmers in Gwent: The Woodland Creation Grant is open until November 21, and provides funding for the planting of trees, the installation of fencing and gates and offers maintenance payments for any loss of agricultural income. The Food Business Accelerator Scheme is open for applications until March 2026 and provides investment for food businesses to purchase assets such as equipment, land or software, as well as support for related expenses. The Habitat Wales Scheme 2025 is open to all farmers with 'semi-natural areas', such as plants and wildlife that they support but don't cultivate on their land. You can apply online, but there are quite specific criteria you must meet in order to be eligible. Organic Support Payments are available for organic agriculture producers who have full organic certification. Payments are per hectare of eligible land and the payment rates differ depending on the type of land. There are also a number of small grants windows throughout the year focusing on different aspects of the environment and efficiency. Unfortunately, the Environment Scheme (Water - May 21 to July 1), Growing for the Environment (Crops - June 2 to July 11) and Woodland Creation (March 3 to April 11 & May 19 to June 27) are all closed now - but it's worth marking the dates in calendars for next year, if applicable. Nick Park is the director of Cwmbran-based Accountants & Tax Advisors, Green & Co, and a member of the Country Landowners Association (CLA) National Taxation Committee.
South Wales Argus
12-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Cwmbran's Green & Co Accountants named best firm in Wales
Cwmbran-based Green & Co was awarded Independent Accounting Practice of the Year at the Finance Awards Wales, held at the Mercure Holland House in Cardiff. The awards, which drew a record number of nominations across 15 categories, celebrate excellence across the Welsh finance sector. Judges praised Green & Co for its 'resilience, ambition and innovation.' Nick Park, director at Green & Co, said: "To be named Independent Accounting Practice of the Year is a huge honour, and a major milestone of our growth the past two years. "We share this award with our entire team; the dedication and expertise shown by our colleagues is what makes Green & Co so special and we're delighted to have that recognised amongst our peers. "We're proud to play a part in the future of Welsh finance and grateful to be recognised among such incredible talent." The firm was founded in 1993 by Hugh Green with the philosophy of helping clients grow their businesses and save on tax. More than 25 years later, that same mantra remains at the core of its work. Matt Hyde, founder of Finance Awards Wales, said: "Each year, the bar rises, and 2025 was no different. "The calibre of talent on show was simply phenomenal. "Congratulations to all our winners and finalists – you truly represent the best of the sector." Green & Co is now managed by Mr Park, Ed Gooderham, and Scott Harris. Backed by a team of more than 40 employees, the practice continues to grow and support a growing client base across Wales and beyond.
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Nick Park on agriculture 'shouldering burden' of tax deal
However, there is a concern that agriculture is shouldering the burden to the benefit of other industries at a time when it is already under pressure. There is widespread worry in particular that the removal of UK tariffs on bioethanol coming into the country could spell disaster for UK production, with US suppliers able to produce and ship cheaper in bulk. While there is currently little-to-no bioethanol production in Wales, it's a renewable energy source for the industry that is regularly cited as having huge commercial potential here, with the country having significant grassland potentially suitable for its production. There are projects underway looking at the viability of extracting and fermenting the sugars from grass to make bioethanol. Any farmers in the region who were exploring this as a potential option may need to keep a close eye on the impact across the rest of the UK. Some good news is that though there has been a relaxing of tariffs on US beef into the UK (and vice versa), UK food standards on imports will remain, meaning no hormone-treated meat on our shelves. What this will mean for Welsh beef or the more than 600 beef and cattle farms in the Gwent region is unclear. However, with Wales seeing a stark rise in production over the last few years (producing 51,300 tonnes in 2023 alone), farmers are again having to hold their breath and see what happens. Overall the only thing certain about this tariff deal is how uncertain it all is - with China already grumbling the deal could compel UK companies to exclude Chinese products from supply chains. Considering that in 2024 China was Wales' second largest import market, and the fastest growing, this could again cause a knock-on effect for our agriculture industry. Add into the mix that this agreement is not an official trade deal - that can only be agreed and ratified by US Congress - so it could be discarded as quickly as it was arranged. Nick Park is the director of Cwmbran-based accountants & tax advisors, Green & Co, and a member of the Country Landowners Association (CLA) National Taxation Committee.
