Farmers in Monmouthshire could share in a £40m support scheme to boost the sector post-Brexit, a government minister confirmed last week.

The measure, part of the Rural Development Programme, will hand farmers up to £12,000 over four year to invest in improvements and energy efficiency.

Environment secretary Lesley Griffiths billed the move as a Brexit boost as future ties with the European Union remain uncertain after the UK voted to leave the bloc in June last year.

“This is undoubtedly a boost for Welsh farming at a time when there is a lot of uncertainty about what the future holds following the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

“The new support I am announcing today will be of considerable assistance as our farmers begin to consider how best to shape their businesses to thrive in a post-Brexit world,” said Ms Griffiths.

The scheme has been announced as part of the 2017-18 final budget, with the government investing £20m.

The first application window is expected to open from April 2017. Further advice will be made available on the Welsh Government website.