Gove gives evidence to the House Of Commons EFRA Committee

DEFRA Secretary of State, Michael Gove MP gave his first evidence session to the House of Commons Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee since the closing date for the "Health and Harmony" consultation. To view his full evidence session click here. One of the areas discussed was the use of direct payments through the Brexit transition period where he appeared to be wavering on the proposal to apply a £100,000 ceiling to those payments through the transition period. The TFA has supported the ceiling because we believe that it will have a dampening impact on FBT rent levels by reducing the incentive for large owner occupiers to over bid on additional land. We have written to the Secretary of State to ask him to reconsider.

Countryside Productivity Scheme receives huge uptake in England

The Countryside Productivity Small Grants scheme launched in July 2017 has seen popular take-up by farmers after the first funding round, Farming Minister George Eustice announced at Royal Cornwall Show in the 8th June.

However, some farmers applying for the grant, have experienced issues with the delivery of their items in the first round of funding within the scheme’s 150 day claim deadline. Therefore, Defra will now allow farmers who purchase their equipment and submit their claims within the 150 day deadline, to take delivery after the 150 days, and will receive payment once the item has been delivered.

Defra will also be opening a second round of funding, in the Autumn, giving farmers who withdrew their applications, the option to have it reinstated now or in the next round. The scheme will help farmers purchase the equipment needed to make their businesses more productive. Grants will focus on aiding electronic identification of livestock, improving the application of manures, and the introduction of guidance systems to aid precision farming. More detail on the second round of grants will follow in the coming months, however to read more about the Countryside Productivity Scheme please click here. If you are experiencing problems with your claim, call TFA Policy Adviser Lynette Steel on 0118 930 6130.

Track the progress of your BPS 2018 claim in England

All claims for BPS 2018 in England should have now been submitted and you can now track the progress of your claim via the online Rural Payment service.

This option is available to all applicants whether they submitted their claim online or by a paper BP5 form. To find out more click here.

Calling all dairy farmers!

The TFA is finalising it's response to the Defra Clean Air Strategy consultation, and is keen to hear the views from members, specifically dairy farmers thoughts on actions to reduce ammonia emissions as laid out in chapter 7 of the strategy. To read the consultation paper in full click here. Please send your thoughts no later than Monday 18 June to TFA Policy Adviser Lynette Steel by emailing: advice2@tfa.org.uk

Final chance to book your place at our Lincolnshire TFA Discussion Group

Open to any tenant farmer regardless if they are a TFA member. This FREE event on Wednesday 27 June starts at 12 noon and includes lunch followed by a tour of the facilities at Woldgrain Storage Ltd in Gainsborough.

TFA Recommended Professional Ellie Allwood (JH Walter) will discuss rent, succession and business progression and John Burnett (Managing Director, Woldgrain Storage Ltd) will present the benefits of co-operative central grain stores.

If you know a tenant farmer who isn’t a member but who you think would like to attend, please feel free to bring them along.

Spaces for this one off event are very limited, so places must be booked in advance via email to events@tfa.org.uk or call Julia Meadows at the TFA on 0118 930 6130 no later than 12 noon 20th June. More details can be found here.

This event is kindly sponsored by Woldgrain Storage Ltd.

Join us at the 2018 Great Yorkshire Show

Tuesday 10 - Thursday 12 July, Harrogate

Visit our stand - number 715

Attending from Head Office will be the TFA’s Chief Executive George Dunn, on the first two days only. Ex TFA National Chair Stephen Wyrill, TFA Adviser Caroline Foot and Communications & Events Co-ordinator Julia Meadows will be there all three days.

Why not take the opportunity to meet the staff and discuss any tenancy related queries that you may have. If you would like to make an appointment to speak to a specific member of staff, please contact the TFA Head Office on 0118 930 6130.

The stand is once again being kindly supported by George F White whose staff will be on the stand throughout the show.

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 or e-Bites.

Please note: Members will need to log into their TFA account before they can access details from the links below.

Briefing Notes

TFA Briefing Note P02/18 – House of Commons EFRA Committee publishes findings of Inquiry into DEFRA’s Health and Harmony Consultation

Forms, Precedents and Template Letters

Example Form of Tenancy Agreement for a Farm Worker Occupying a Dwelling under An Assured Shorthold tenancy

TFA Member Benefit

LEAF Membership

LEAF is a membership organisation which promotes Integrated Farm Management practices, combining modern agriculture with environmental sensitivity.

LEAF membership for the first year is available to TFA members at the lowest farm membership rate available (£107 + VAT), irrespective of farm size. LEAF gives you a way of honestly appraising your farming performance. LEAF’s membership tools and services and access to LEAF’s national network of demonstration farms and innovation centres can help you to identify ways to make your farming even better. Membership costs from as little as 29p a day but it can mean so much to your business performance.

Should you decide to join LEAF, you will receive access to the on-line LEAF Sustainable Farming Review. This whole-farm management tool offers a complete business and environmental health check, helping to improve efficiency, reduce running costs and helping to demonstrate environmental credentials.

To receive the preferential joining rate, please contact LEAF on 024 7641 3911 advising that you are a member of the TFA or email enquiries@leafuk.org. Further information about LEAF can be found on our website www.leafuk.org

And Finally...

Your Privacy Matters

We need to let you know about some important changes we've made to our data protection policy and privacy notices. This is due to recent changes in data protection law, which came into force on 25th May. In line with these changes, we've made it clearer how we collect, store and handle your personal data, as well as adding more information about your privacy rights. To see what's changing in more detail, our full privacy policy can be found here.

There's nothing you need to do now, as according to our records you have shown an interest in the Tenant Farmers Association and we understand you would want to be kept up to date with latest news and policy updates which affect tenant farmers across England and Wales. We will continue to send you this information unless you ask us not to do so. If you wish to unsubscribe from these emails, please click on the unsubscribe button at the bottom of this email and your details will be removed from our email database.