This Week's Top News Bites
UK Secures ‘Listed Status’ to Protect £5bn Export Market
The TFA has welcomed this week’s announcement by DEFRA that the UK has been granted ‘national listed status’ from EU member states. This will ensure that the export of live animals and products of animal origin, such as meat, fish and dairy, can continue, even if we leave without a deal on 31 October.
The move recognises the UK’s high biosecurity and animal health standards and brings welcome clarity to a market worth more than £5 billion a year.
TFA National Chairman, James Gray, commented “Our export markets are becoming increasingly vital as the UK slowly succumbs to the constant anti-meat agenda of the mainstream media. It would have been a devastating blow to have lost such an important outlet. Many of our members are keepers of livestock, especially cattle and sheep. This announcement will give them (and me) much-needed reassurance and put an end to the constant worry that we have had to endure over the past twelve months.” To read the DEFRA press release in full, click here.
Government Introduces Environment Bill
This week, TFA National Chair, James Gray, attended an environment keynote speech given by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Theresa Villiers MP. The speech, on Tuesday 15 October coincided with the First Reading of the Environment Bill within the House of Commons, and it gave an outline of the Governments' 25-year Environment Plan. To read more about the Bill, click here.
TFA Responds to Consultation on Tenancies
The TFA has responded to the consultation “A New Deal for Renting: Resetting the balance of rights and responsibilities between landlords and tenants” from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on its questions relating to agricultural tenancies. To read the TFA response in full, please click here.
BPS 2019 Support Scheme in Wales
The BPS 2019 Support Scheme is available on RPW online from 15 October. This is a facility that can provide a loan to help farmers who do not receive their BPS 2019 payment when the BPS payment window opens on 1 December 2019. You will need to apply for this scheme by 29 November, if you wish to receive a payment, in the event that yours has not been fully processed. RPW hopes to start BPS Support Scheme payments from 9 December 2019. Guidance can be found here. For more information, TFA members can click here to read the TFA Briefing Note U03/19.
New Methods to Age Sheep at Slaughter
The Government has plans to amend English and Welsh legislation on ageing sheep at slaughter. Sheep over 12 months old must have certain body parts removed to protect public health. The changes would allow abattoirs to use a different method for deciding the ages of sheep. At present, abattoirs count the number of a sheep’s permanent teeth to decide its age. Please click here for the full consultation, to find out more and to respond.
Seasonal Grazing (wintering/tack) in Wales
If you rent land or send your stock for seasonal grazing, there may be inspection and welfare implications for the landowner. Please click here to see the flow charts showing arrangements.
Don't Miss This Year's Three Counties Farming Conference
Don't forget to book your tickets to this year’s Farming Conference on 14 Nov at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern. TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn, will discuss the challenges facing tenant farmers and how they can find themselves a solution for the future. Tickets start from £10 and can be purchased here.
Book Your Place at the TFA Cymru Tenancy Seminar
The topic being discussed at the next TFA Cymru seminar on 06 November 2019, at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells is Sustainable Farming and Our Land: What Are the Implications For The Tenanted Sector Of Agriculture in Wales.
Speakers include TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn. He will provide an update on the implications for tenant farmers arising from the Welsh Government’s new “Sustainable Farming and Our Land” consultation document. He will also discuss how new policies need to ensure they are accessible for tenant farmers, as well as offering TFA Top Tips for Promoting Sustainability of Tenanted Farm Businesses Beyond Brexit.
This is a FREE event and is open to any farmer in Wales who farms land they do not own regardless if you are a TFA Cymru member. For more details, click here.
