Email Banner dual branding
 

TFA e-newsletter 12 January 2018

DEFRA 2015

Reshuffle Leaves DEFRA Team Intact but the Groceries Code Adjudicator Has a New Minister

The Prime Minister's Cabinet and Ministerial reshuffle has certainly filled the media over recent days, but in the end there were no changes to the Ministerial team within the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.

There was, however a significant change in the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy. Minister for Small Business, Margot James, was replaced by Andrew Griffiths who will take over responsibility for the Groceries Code Adjudicator. The TFA continues to push the Government to finalise its plans for the extension to the remit of the Adjudicator, about which it consulted now over a year ago. We have asked the new Minister to put this at the top of his in- tray. Click here for more information about the TFA’s position.

***
PM

Teresa May

The Prime Minister Launches the Government's 25 Year Plan for the Environment

On Thursday, the Prime Minister, alongside DEFRA Secretary of State Michael Gove, launched the Government's much anticipated 25 Year Plan for the Environment.

The Government's strategic ambition is to be the first generation to leave the UK environment in a better state than we found it. This plan is about how the Government intends to achieve this goal.

For the agricultural sector this is the precursor both to the Government's White Paper on agriculture expected later in the year followed by an Agriculture Bill. At over 150 pages it covers everything from plastics to pesticides including food, farming and forestry along the way. It was particularly pleasing to see recognition of the role played by tenant famers in managing the farmed environment. TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn who attended the launch said “This plan will provide a framework for all our future discussions with the Government on policies for food, farming and the countryside. The TFA will be working to ensure that the tenanted agricultural sector is able to play a positive role in delivering the environmental outcomes desired in the context of thriving food and farming businesses”. To read the report in full,click here:

***
david Drew

Dr David Drew MP

Opposition Questions to the Government on Farm Tenancy Issues

Following our meetings before Christmas with Labour Shadow DEFRA Secretary of State Sue Hayman and Shadow Farming Minister Dr David Drew, we have been delighted to see the Parliamentary Questions tabled by Dr Drew seeking to press the Government to respond to the recommendations made by the Tenancy Reform Industry Group in October. He also asks for the Government view on the TFA’s proposals, including on taxation, to secure more, longer term Farm Business Tenancies. To read the questions in full click here and we will report back on all the answers when we get them.

***
MBNA

TFA Credit Card to Come to an End in June

A number of TFA members have been loyal supporters of the TFA credit card, launched in the 1990s at a time when credit cards were not as easy to come by as they are today. Our affinity provider, MBNA, has advised that the scheme is to be brought to an end on 18 June this year. All TFA members who have a TFA credit card account will be written to by MBNA before the end of March to advise of the formal end of the scheme. Members will be able to carry on with their cards however there will be no further commission paid to the TFA after 18 June.

***
TFA Advice high res

TFA Seeks a New Adviser to Join Its Head Office Team

The TFA is offering an exciting new role at its head office combining work with Government to influence agricultural policy development and advice to TFA members on its implementation. Click here

***
ena logo

TFA backs call for public to Look Out Look Up!

TFA is supporting a new campaign that encourages people to plan ahead to avoid contact with overhead power lines and to know what to do if contact is made.

The electricity network operators are today launching a new campaign – Look Out Look Up! – in response to the scale of incidents involving overhead power lines in farms and fields.

Advice for the agricultural and other sectors, such as construction and road haulage, whose work may take place near overhead power lines includes:

• Risk assess – know where overhead power lines are and mark them on a map. Find out the height and reach of your equipment and how this compares to the maximum working height under overhead power lines. Share this information with workers and contractors.

• Control measures – don’t work near an overhead power line if you don’t have to. Speak to your electricity network operator for advice. Select suitable machinery and equipment and use it safely.

• Know what’s safe, and what isn’t – certain work should be avoided within 10 metres of overhead power lines, such as stacking bales and potato boxes, operating telehandlers and moving irrigation pipes.

• It is crucial that farmers, farm workers and contractors understand that when overhead power lines are damaged or fall to the ground, they should stay well away and contact the local electricity company by telephoning 105.

• Know what to do if you come into contact with an overhead power line - if contact is made when you’re in a vehicle, stay in the cab and to try to drive clear. If it is not safe to stay in the vehicle, jump clear of the machine, move away and don’t touch it once on the ground.

• Call 105 – if an incident occurs, contact your network operator by calling the national 24 hour emergency number 105. According to the ENA, over four in five people do not know the number to call in case of an abnormality in electricity supply in their home or workplace.

TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn said: “We are backing Look Out Look Up! as it’s important to raise awareness of the danger of overhead power lines. If workers are prepared, the likelihood of an accident is significantly reduced. Following the simple steps from Energy Networks Association will help ensure that they know not only how to best avoid contact with overhead power lines, but also how to react should contact be made.”

Ian Davey, a Cornish farmer who had a near fatal incident when a snap decision during combining had life-changing consequences, commented: “Farming can be a dangerous occupation, and there is so much to do that we rush – but that is when accidents happen. The trailer I was in had touched a power line and, as I stepped out of the tractor cab holding the metal door, 11,000 volts shot through my body. I was literally stuck to the spot. The power surge dislocated my shoulder and shattered my arm. Doctors told me that it looked as though somebody had smashed the bone with a sledgehammer. It took almost leaving behind my two children and wife to mean I’m now careful and cautious on the farm, always thinking twice before doing anything. Things could have been different for me had I known the advice within Look Out Look Up!. If the campaign helps even one farmer avoid a potentially fatal contact with an overhead power line, then it is absolutely worth it.”

More information about the campaign can be found here.

***
TFA Member meeting high res

TFA Chief Exec George Dunn speaking at a members meeting

TFA Regional Meetings - Have you registered your place yet?

The TFA prepares to kick off its regional roadshow this January.

The first region to be visited will be the North West of England on 22 January at Crooklands Hotel, Crooklands, Nr Kendal. LA7 7NW and the second on 23 January will be at Tynedale Farmer Function Suite, Tyne Green, Hexham. NE46 3SG.

All meetings are open to both members and non-members. TFA Chief Executive George Dunn will give an update on Post Brexit policy issues faced by farm businesses in the tenanted sector. There will also be guest speakers from the AHDB and the Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE).

If you are interested in attending please contact Julia Meadows at the TFA’s Head Office on 0118 930 6130 or email events@tfa.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

If you don’t get around to calling us please feel free to drop in on one of the two days - our meetings begin at 7.30pm.

Further regions to be visited include:
South East on the 7 February in Reigate
East on the 22 February in Cambridge
East Midlands on the 23 February in Lincoln
South West on the 28 February in Lifton
Wessex on the 1 March in North Petherton
West Midlands on the 23 May in Uffington

***
TFA-logo-USE-ColourPMS349 Black-JPeg-4pc--size down up proportionally using corners

Our members in England may find the next article of particular interest.

RPA 2015

BPS 2018: Guidance

All guidance will now be available online only and therefore applicants who receive paper BP5 forms and need a paper copy of the how to apply on paper guidance, please contact the RPA customer contact centre on 03000 200 301.

BPS 2017: Payments

As at the end of December the RPA has paid 91% of claimants across all categories of claim. The 2 categories of claim which the RPA has not managed to make any payments to are New Forest Common and Scottish cross border claimants. 7,000 claimants have not received a payment, the RPA will draw up letters for these claimants to give an indication as to the reason. These letters may go out at the end of this month. The RPA has been and continues to make 2 weekly payment batches once on a Tuesday and once on a Thursday.

BPS 2017: Payments and Inspections

The RPA carried out 11,500 inspections in 2017 and is making progress with payments with 4,500 of these claimants having been paid.

BPS 2017: Incorrect Payments

If members have received an incorrect BPS 2017, the RPA advises claimants to wait for the claim statement, however in the meantime it is advisable to go online and view your application summary to see what is and isn’t correct. After receiving the claim statement, if the payment is incorrect, claimants will need to send in a payment query form. If the payment is incorrect because a 2015 and or 2016 issue has not been resolved and you have already raised this with the RPA, the RPA will automatically look into 2017 when they go to resolve the previous issues, however for the sake of reassurance it is advisable to send in another payment query form for 2017.

DEFRA 2015

New BPS Greening Changes to be aware of.

BPS 2018: Greening Fallow Land

DEFRA has confirmed it is not introducing the same strict rules across England that the Welsh Government has recently brought in. The changes are that from January 2018, the sowing of grass on fallow is allowed if it is explicitly required for pillar two schemes such as Countryside Stewardship. During the fallow period, application of fertiliser and manure and the cultivation for weed control is not allowed. The reason for this is that these are all considered agricultural production. Topping continues to be acceptable as long as it does not break the surface of the ground.

BPS 2018: Temporary Grass being turned to Permanent Grass

A change from temporary to permanent grass is a regulatory requirement after 5 consecutive years, the RPA has analysed the UK database both digitally and manually and found that 22,000 land parcels have been claimed on as temporary grass which fit the criteria for being turned into permanent grass. Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship options have been taken off, this reduced the land parcels by 4,000 to 18,000. The RPA then split these land parcels into 13,000 full land parcels to convert to permanent grass and the others will be converted at a later date, the 1st January 2018 is the date which the RPA is starting to get the data up to date. Members should therefore be aware of this should they have any temporary grass which has been down for 5 years. The TFA is awaiting to hear from the RPA if it is only land under the BPS land use code of TG01 (temporary grass) which has been analysed or fallow land also.

***
TFA Cymru

Our members in Wales may find the next article of particular interest.

Pont Conference 2018.
Farming, Nature and Food – Grazing for the future

6 – 7 February at The Dragon Hotel, Swansea. For more details click here.

***
Newspaper clip art

TFA Updates

Weekly Uploaded Documents

The following articles and documents have been uploaded to the TFA’s website since the publication of the last TFA e-newsletter.

TFA Media Release MR18/02 – GOVE’S OXFORD SPEECH GIVES US ALL MUCH TO CHEW OVER

***
Henderson

Are you renewing your insurance?

Henderson Insurance Brokers are the largest truly independent broker in the UK, with an agricultural specialism spanning 30 years.

Their dedicated network of account executives work closely with farmers up and down the country to ensure that their insurance cover is relevant to their business. Their thorough understanding of agriculture, coupled with unrivalled access to the widest panel on insurance providers, means that they are best placed to offer you a cost effective insurance package that will adapt to your business.

Has your insurer taken care of you?

As a tenant farmer your insurance needs to take account of the amendments and improvements that you have made to your farm property. This will ensure that a claim for a building that you occupy does not leave you with a repair bill for any alteration that you have made for the structure. For example, if you have extended, or added to a shed, installed new doors, shutters, boarding, retaining walls, silos, livestock handling systems or electrics these may not be your landlords responsibility and your insurer should highlight and specify these on your policy along with any improvements made to your domestic property.

TFA Members exclusive
Simpler package for smaller farms
Exclusive rates
Tiered insurance levels
Lower excesses
Tenants property repair liability
Lorega

For every policy taken out or renewed with Henderson via TFA, the TFA will receive a percentage of the premium back. This provides valuable funding to support the causes and issues of tenant farmers on a nationwide basis.
Henderson are available to work with members across the country and look forward to assisting you.

For further details of the specialist cover available please contact the TFA’s Membership Co-ordinator on 0118 930 6130 or email membership@tfa.org.uk

***
Kate Chapman image

And finally…

We have been approached by Kate Chapman; a freelance journalist, who is writing two health related articles for the Farmers Guardian.

The first is a case study on farmers who suffer from osteoporosis. She is keen to chat to anyone who has this condition, and to learn how it affects and impacts on your work. The story will explore the condition, causes and possible treatments.

The second article focuses on Prostrate Cancer. She is looking to speak to farmers who have, or has been treated for this.

To help Kate, all it would involve is a short telephone interview and then she needs you to provide a photo of yourself to accompany the piece.

If you can help, please call Kate on 07905563548 or email her at kate@kate-chapman.co.uk

 
 
Powered by Mad Mimi®A GoDaddy® company